This year, the gospel service was held in Slaughter Neck for the 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration weekend that culminated with a church service.
The Rev. George W. Fisher, pastor of Friendship United Methodist Church in Millsboro, served as worship leader Monday, Jan. 18.

Fisher reminded the 200 Cape Region residents who gathered that it was King who said, “You can’t ride a man’s back.” While King supported nonviolence to overcome racism and segregation, Fisher tried to drive King’s message home. “We need to teach our children struggle and sacrifice,” he said.

“We are here today this morning to praise the Lord and honor the legacy and life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Fisher. “God brought us a mighty long way.”

Fisher was the first of a long list of speakers, pastors and singers who took to the pulpit bringing the audience to their feet at least a dozen times.

With hands upraised, many worshippers stomped their feet as they sang with the Daniels Family Gospel Choir, chanting the lyrics of “Order my steps [In your word].”

“Show me how to walk, show me how to talk, find me a whole new song to sing,” sang Rosalyn Harris, leading the congregation in song.

Teenager Aaliyah Reese reminded the audience that the first federal holiday honoring a black man in the United States was established in 1983.

Twenty-five years later with the 2008 election of President Barack Obama, King would have realized how his early work moved acceptance forward when the nation elected its first president of color, said teenager Arissa Gibson Barnes.

For one day, this day, said Barnes, those of all religions should come together and not hate each other, but love each other instead.

Breaking into another song, Sussex County Register of Wills Greg Fuller belted out “The Holy of Holies.” Fuller, a member of Crossroads Christian Church in Dover, sang he was “just a common man because of God’s redemption plan.”

The religious service also serves as a platform to honor members of the community. This year, the Rev. Diane Lofland, founder of the New Coverdale Mission Inc. in Bridgeville, was recognized for providing clothing and education to residents in western Sussex.

Community activist Diaz Bonville reminded the audience to remember the Haitian earthquake victims before he introduced the Rev. Jerome Tilghman, pastor of the Lewes Charge of the United Methodist Church. “You will hear him say often, ‘Am I right about it?’” said Bonville.

Tilghman joined the ministry at 47 as a full-time pastor. He also serves as chaplain at Beebe Medical Center.

“People will try to discourage you, and every now and then you need someone to encourage you,” said Tilghman.

“It’s time to wake up. It’s a new day and you can make a difference,” he said. King, said Tilghman, helped to change collective consciousness by boycotting businesses and leading marches to publicly demonstrate American injustices in his quest to overcome racism and segregation.

“Dr. King was available to help. You have to be able to let God use you too,” said Tilghman.