As we celebrate and reflect back on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, I can’t help but think about how much he impacted my life and ministry. When I was a young pastor, I was challenged by and older pastor to read the book, “A Testament Of Hope”. While doing so, God put the desire in my heart to see the church that I pastor become a multicultural church (something I had never really seen or experienced before). You see, the town where our church is located was 96% white (and our church was 100% white), so it would literally take an “act of God” to make this desire come true.

Of course, most of us have all heard the words of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. The dream of a multicultural church became the dream of my heart. This dream was not realized overnight. but today, I can truly say, “I am living the dream”. Our church is now about 45% white (while our town is still about 95% white). God has sent not only African Americans to our church, but also Latinos, Asians and Indians as well. My life has been deeply impacted and changed through friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ of different races. What the VALLEY Christian Church family experiences each Sunday as we gather is nothing short of miraculous when one thinks about the condition of our nation on the issue of race just 50 short years ago!

Today, I am thankful to God for gracing our nation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Because of Dr. King’s work and legacy, I am now living the dream God placed in my heart for my church, family and friendships. Thank you Dr. King!