Story and photo submitted by Mother Patrice Smith
The service opened with a devotional song entitled “Oh Freedom Litany” by Carnell J. Davidson. Afterward, Karmen Jones gave the Occasion/Welcome; Kyla Davidson read “Why We Celebrate Dr. King’s Day, and Clifford IV presented “10 Facts About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
The anointed Hopewell Praise Team presented a robust dance selection. During the service, several youths gave presentations. The winners of the Easy Presentations (ages 13-15) were 1st Place winners Joshua Gaston, a 9th grader from Madison County Virtual Academy, and Maya Howard, a 9th grader from Hazel Green High School. In the Ages 16-18 category, the 1st place winner was Nicholas Howard from Hazel Green High School, and the 2nd place winner was Faith Lloyd, a 12th grader from New Century Technology High School.
The Easy Awards Presentation Education Department Guest Speaker was Dr. Terrance Vickerstaff, Pine Grove M.B. Church. He delivered a spirit-filled sermon, based upon the scripture, Nehemiah 2: 11-18, entitled, “The Dream Demanded, Has A Vision, Be Demanding. “He told Hopewell M.B. Church to “Rise Up and Build”! What a powerful, inspirational Word.