MLK Celebration Lee-Miles Ministerial Alliance— Get Up!

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group picture On January 18, 2021, Southeast SDA Church and Senior Pastor Stan Hood, in collaboration with the Lee-Miles Ministerial Alliance, hosted the 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Continuing the faith-based community event, this year’s theme “Get Up,” sounded a rallying cry to awaken a slumbering church. The message is exceptionally timely given the current climate and signs of the time. pastor eppinger best

Pastor Timothy Eppinger, God’s Tabernacle of Faith Church and president of the Lee-Miles Ministerial Alliance, opened this year’s celebration by reminding individuals that the “Ministerial alliance has always been a blessing to the Lee-Miles area/Ward 1 community in Cleveland, OH. Our ministry began with pastors in our community” such as the Rev. George O. Stewart, who is CEO of the Alliance. The Rev. Leonard Killings, Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church, is actively involved in the mission of fighting hunger in the community. According to Pastor Eppinger, the Lee-Miles Ministerial Alliance Hunger Center follows the admonition of Christ to “feed a multitude of people.”

Pastor Calvin Wade of Calvary Congregational Church, Cleveland, OH, presented the purpose and stated, “I have been tasked to give you the purpose of today--The fight continues. The fight continues because the dream has yet to be realized. A fight continues because we have come a long way (with a black President and first black female Vice President), but we still have a long way to go. We still have to build our sense of community, that is a part of that dream. Still have to build our sense of endeavor, economic growth.” Pastor Wade ended his remarks by stressing, “the fight still continues.”

Pastor Vikki Pruitte-Sorrells, Lee-Heights Community Church, brought the scripture reading from Gen. 37:12-19 and delivered a beautiful opening prayer. The scripture told the story of Joseph and his brothers and how they plotted to kill him. Described as the dreamer, Pastor Sorrells spoke on how the brothers determined in their hearts to destroy their brother and “see what comes of his dream.” Pastor Sorrells stated that “we are intentionally here for one reason. We celebrate Dr. King and we celebrate the faith and where God put him on this earth.”

Fred Graves, Rodney Hubbard and Robert Hubbard delivered tributes to God and MLK through music.

elder hood best Elder Alisa Hood introduced the speaker, Senior Pastor Stan Hood. Elder Hood referred to Pastor Hood as her “Boaz” and described him as, “the devil’s worst enemy.” Touching on just a few of his accomplishments, Elder Hood stated that as a playwright, Pastor Hood has written over 100 plays and skits and has authored a book, entitled “Driven.” Additionally, Pastor Hood established the Hood SDA Church in Kumasi, Ghana. Elder Hood finished her introduction to her husband by stating, “He is not a perfect man, but he preaches a perfect message.”

MLK Day 2021 finds itself set in a strange time. Dr. King’s birthday has evolved to represent a National Day of Service in communities across the nation. But it is vastly different this year. The nation (and the world) is trying to survive a deadly pandemic. The inauguration of the 46th President of the United States and the first female and African-American/South Asian Vice President looms against the backdrop of tremendous racial and civil unrest. Threats of violence stemming from an attempted coup and attack on the U.S Capitol still remain.

pastor hood 3 Pastor Hood delivered the word with these current events in mind. The sermon, taken from Luke 8:49, told the story of Jairus and his daughter. The synagogue leader, while waiting for Jesus who was addressing a multitude, found out his daughter had died. Jesus told Jairus, “not to be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed.” Jesus traveled to the ruler’s home and told the mourners outside the home to stop wailing because “she is not dead, but asleep.” The mourners laughed because they knew the child was dead. Jesus entered the home with three disciples, Peter, John, James, the child’s parents and then he raised the girl.

Pastor Hood drew parallels between the little girl and the church. He stated that “the church is not dead, but needs to Get Up.” Some of the same components that comprise the old church are found in this passage. The mourners standing outside Jairus’s house laughing, represent the old church, who feel the new way is a waste of time. The new church or new generation is represented by Peter, James and John. According to Pastor Hood, the old church should encourage the new church—allow them to see that the old church had trials and hardships, as well. The old church “call themselves the gatekeepers, but should be called testifiers.”

Pastor Hood also brought out a sobering realization about the difference between yesterday’s Selma marchers, change, and us. “They knew how to make change. When they left home, they were okay with not going back.” The church needs to get back to the point where it praises it way through. During this pandemic, legislation is saying “stay home,” but God is saying “Get Up.”

Pastor Eppinger closed out the celebration by imploring the church of the living God to Get up. Pastor Eppinger also stated that, “I’ve been invited to a lot of places, but I didn’t change until I got invited to Christ. Time for you to Get up. Today is a day of change.”

--Cecily Bryant

Southeast thanks all of the program participants and a special thank you to Kharinne Shinaul, Denise Brooks and Brittni Brooks for the outstanding job of decorating the sanctuary with the beautiful African prints and art pieces.

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