MOULTRIE, Ga. — Union Baptist Church will hold its Black History Program and Celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23. 

The featured speaker will be Minister Keith Alan Hose. The theme will be “Looking Back While Moving Forward!”

A former resident of Moultrie, Hose was one of the Olympic Torchbearers and Hometown Heroes in 1996. He now lives in Valdosta, where he is the principal of Maceo A. Horne Learning Center, the alternative school for students in sixth through 12th grades for Valdosta City Schools. Most recently, Hose was recognized as the Alternative Schools Principal of the Year for 2018-19. He serves as the vice president of Georgia Association for Alternative Education. Additionally, he is active in GAE, PAGE and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Hose accepted the call to ministry in December 2016 at St. Luke CME Church of Thomasville. At St. Luke, he is chairman of the Steward Board and Men’s Ministry and leads the Gifts of Fire Empowerment Series.

Professionally, Hose served as a teacher and basketball coach in the Colquitt County Schools, assistant principal and athletic director in Mitchell County Schools and principal in Thomasville as well as adjunct professor for both Brewton-Parker College and Albany State University.

He is a devoted husband to Deatrice M. Hose and dedicated father of Kalan, their son. His parents are Ron and Vickie Keys. He said he enjoys spreading the gospel, attending sporting events and transforming the lives of students through education.

Chairwoman Shirley Perkins invites the community, but especially all educators, church youth departments and former members of The Male League and Big Brother Program, a program that Hose once advised.