Desert Hot Springs church honors Martin Luther King Jr.

“I appreciate the chance to speak with you on this special day. The birthday of a man who contributed so much to our way of life. In a few days, we’ll be honoring his memory with a national holiday, a day for all citizens of all races to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” – Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States.

First observed in 1986 and the third Monday of January every year, Martin Luther King Jr day aims to remind Americans of the reverend’s crusade for civil rights justice.

First Community Baptist Church in Desert Hot Springs hosted an event to remember Dr. King and talked about how his message of peace and hope is still essential to this very day.

“King said in one of his speeches, that we as a people will get to the mountain and I believe that we are a statement to all the dreamers of today,” said Dr. Tahlib McMicheaux, senior pastor at the church.

The event featured poems and speeches about Dr. King, as his undying message lives on in our local area.

“The dream is here in the Coachella Valley, it starts with us as human beings and how we treat other people every day,” said Glen Miller, Indio City Councilmember.

His message important to shape future generations.

“We are the ones who are carrying the torch who are going to pass it to the new generation and we have the opportunity to help them to understand morals, values, and ethics,” McMicheaux said.

“He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain and I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you.” – Martin Luther King Jr.’s last speech.

King’s words that night would prove prophetic as he was assassinated the next day. Martin Luther King Jr may not have been there to see it but he made the world much closer to the mountaintop.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr would have been 89 years old this year, however, his dream lives on.