High energy, ringing voices, and brilliant performances graced Oak Grove Baptist Church Monday.
Picture an ideal program that remembers the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., gives glory to God, and most of all instill motivation to seek positive things that can affect your life.
Imagine a program that leaves those in attendance beaming with enough optimistic energy to fill an entire building.
This is a portrait of the Legacy Program.
The program, celebrated to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was designed not only to unite church members in attendance, but also the community. The theme this year was “The Year of the Family.” The occasion was open to all and included the company of Gaston Baptist and Piney Grove Baptist members, some of whom participated in the program.
The Oak Grove Baptist praise dance team kicked-off the program with their performance of a dance dubbed “Unity.” The routine put the entire room into a joyful uproar.
Piney Grove Baptist’s praise dance group performed a dance titled “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. These dancers appeared professional in their swift and rhythmic movements. A powerful solo performance was made by member Ryan Caine called “Stand”.
A sketch titled “I Almost Let Go” was performed by the Wilcox and Hawkins families. The skit illustrated the strength in holding onto the hand of God during struggles through the centuries, from pre-Martin Luther King to present day.
The theme of this year’s program also carried over to McIver Elementary for the county wide drawing contest they participated in.
The following children were recognized for their work: Kaylah Lynch was the winner in the first grade; Kanal Pearson received honorable mention from the second grade; Lanayjha Ashe was the winner from the third grade; and Joynika Horton received honorable mention from the third grade.
Middle schoolers participated in a poetry contest, with Dominique Boyd recognized as the winner and Kyndahl Faulcon receiving an honorable mention.
Area high schoolers took part in an essay contest, with Jasmine Scott being named the winner and Ryan Caine getting an honorable mention. Jasmine Scott read her essay aloud to the congregation, hitting on every important aspect of a family.
“The focus of the family should be love, dependability, and loyalty,” she said.
The event was followed by an inspiring message from Rev. C.E. McCollum Sr.
“In 2007 we are still dealing with brokenness in our community and our world. It doesn’t matter if they say we cannot pray in the schools because in reality, we can pray anywhere. We live in a world of business. We need to remember to make time for our families. Be an example for your child. If we don’t remember where God has brought us from, we won’t pay attention to where He is taking us,” he told the congregation.
A reception in the fellowship hall followed the program.
Food and free information on health awareness, drug awareness and violence awareness was available at displays set up by organizations such as D.A.R.E. and Healthy Carolinians of Warren County. Sponsors of this program included Alpha Kappa Alpha; a sorority founded in 1908 at Howard University with Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott as some of its first members.
Some of the ladies representing the sorority are members of Oak Grove Baptist. Many of the other sponsors participated in the Martin Luther King Parade held earlier that day.