King’s legacy to be honored during MLK Day celebrations

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, January 16, 2019

TIFTON — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations in the Tift area are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21.

The day will start off with the MLK Community Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Hosted by PLIGHT, INC, the breakfast will be held at the Tift County Recreation Department, located at 401 Victory Dr.

Tickets are $10 and will be sold in advance only. For more information contact Melissa Hughes at (229) 326-0241.

The keynote speaker during the breakfast will be the Reverend Doctor Daniel Simmons, senior pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany.

After the breakfast, the celebrations will move to Greater Springfield Baptist Church, located at 507 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., which has the Reverend Roger Drake as senior pastor.

The ecumenical commemorative service, which will begin at 10:45 a.m., is a free service that will commemorate Dr. King’s 90th birthday. It is open to the public and seating is limited.

The service will feature former sermons from Minister Jyrekis B. Collins and Timothy Browning, Jr., Tift County High School drum major and artist Aaron Mack and the MLK Community Choir, a live painting by Tifton native artist Jason “Jhigh” Hightower, contemporary Christian artist Andy Hobbs, Morehouse College student minister-orators and remarks from local ministers and elected officials.

The service, according to organizer Ambrose King, ”is considered the spiritual hallmark of the King holiday observance.”

The service, which is being held for the 12th year running, was created to honor the Ecumenical nature, message, and philosophy of Dr. King, and was created to honor the preaching and Christian tradition that of Dr. King, according to Ambrose King.

“It engages members of various religious traditions in the community amongst the local governing community (elected officials) to encourage them to invite the philosophy of love, forgiveness, and civil disobedience in decision-making that effect the lives of all their citizens, parishioners, and consumers,” Ambrose King said in an email.

Reverend Doctor Daniel Simmons

A press release from Hughes said that Simmons and the congregation of Mt. Zion “demonstrate a commitment to making disciples for Jesus Christ” (Matthew 28:18-20) and to minister to the “Least of These.” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Pastor Simmons is endeared to his calling to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He delivers messages that are clear, concise and embraced by every generation and every race. He is a pillar of spiritual truth, a visionary leader, an activist, a partner, a supporter, and a friend to mankind.

“Pastor Simmons began preaching in June 1984. He pastored the Mountain Grove Baptist Church in Dawson and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shingler prior to accepting the call of service at Mount Zion in 1991.

“Under his leadership, the Mount Zion congregation has made a tremendous impact on local, regional and national communities.

Pastor Simmons received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Albany State College (now Albany State University) in Albany in 1977, his Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Georgia in Athens in 1985, and his Doctorate of Ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, AL in 1991.

“Pastor Simmons’ work experience included 17 years as a rehabilitation counselor with the Georgia Department of Rehabilitation Services, and as a community development specialist.

“Pastor Simmons is involved with numerous ministerial organizations on local, state, and national levels.

“Pastor Simmons stands firm in his belief of family being the foundation of society. A native of Cairo, he is the son of Mrs. Pinkie Norwood Simmons and the late Reverend Perry Simmons, Sr. He hails as a third generation minister. Pastor Simmons is married to Diane Davis Simmons. He is the father of two children, and he has five grandchildren.”

Minister Jyrekis B. Collins

According to a press release, Minister Jyrekis B. Collins is a native of Athens. He grew up in Faith Temple Church Of God In Christ in Athens and at age 11 he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and he was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens.

“Collins currently is an undergraduate student at Morehouse College, and is studying religion, with plans to attend seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity. At Morehouse College he serves as a Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistant, he is a charter member of a bible study in the Atlanta University Center, and has served as a class senator at Morehouse.

“He is also a 2017 cohort member of The National Festival Of Young Preachers. Minister Collins is a proud member of The Miracle House Church International, located in Bogart, where the senior pastor is Daisy R. Hall. At Miracle House he serves as a minister and a praise and worship member.”

Jason “JHigh” Hightower

According to a press release, “Jason “JHigh” Hightower is a native of Tifton. He has always had an eye and mind for the creative arts. He is a graduate of Tift County High School and studied fine arts at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Clark Atlanta University, subsequently earning degrees.

While living in Atlanta for the past 20 years he has pursued his passion and dreams of becoming an artist.

His artwork is owned by celebrities such as Sheila E, Matthew Knowles (father of Singer Beyonce’ Knowles), and Amel Larrieux, according to the release. His artwork is also a part of the collection at Clark Atlanta University’s Art Museum, the release states.

Timothy Browning, Jr.

According to a press release, “Timothy Browning, Jr. is a native of Charlotte, N.C. and graduate of Mallard Creek High School. Minister Browning Jr. is a senior religion and philosophy major at Morehouse College. He plans to attend seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity and PhD. At Morehouse College he serves as a Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistant.”

For more information about the service contact Ambrose King at (229) 326-4396.

Follow Eve Copeland on Twitter @EveCopelandTTG.