How to Honor the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We recognize the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was motivated by his love for Jesus to fight for the rights of others. As a Pastor and Christian leader in Civil Rights, he believed that the call of every Christian was to follow the example of Christ and to serve others sacrificially.  

Rev. Dr. King reminds us that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and that, as Christians, we must stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves.  

Sadly, Rev. Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. But the impact of his faith in Christ lives on to this day.  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a holiday or day-off. It is an opportunity to  remember the life and legacy of MLK and reflect on how we can be involved in curbing injustice in the world around us. As a church family, we desire to use this moment as an opportunity to act in advocating for the marginalized, under-resourced, and forgotten around us. Below are a few ways you can respond today!

▶️ Get Involved With The Dream Center, A Woodside Partner

Woodside Bible Church founded the Dream Center (Pontiac, MI) in 2014 to advocate for people living in under-resourced communities. The Dream Center engages low-income individuals, at-risk-youth, and struggling families with the love of Jesus, partnering with them to thrive and move toward self-sustainability.

As a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, the Dream Center listens, learns, laments, and leads in the communities served, reconciling people to God and people to people. Determining to break the generational cycle of poverty by providing resources, opportunities, and relationships that heal brokenness, infuse justice, and provide equity.

Equity and life-transformation require access to quality education, living wage employment, and housing. To that end, the Dream Center offers an after-school program for kids K-grade 5, workforce development and social enterprise programs, housing for young men with discipleship and leadership development opportunities, and a food pantry. You can join the team and help us serve and encourage the people of Pontiac.  To get involved, click here.

▶️ Connect With A Friend, Neighbor, Or Colleague From A Different Culture Or Race

Taking time to listen and learn from different perspectives and backgrounds can help us better understand the unique stories behind injustice issues in our world (Acts 10:34-35). Consider hosting a family dinner or Zoom call with someone of a different cultural or racial background to begin a path toward healing and understanding.

▶️ Impact Children And Families In Under-resourced Communities

The burden of living in a broken or impoverished community is a significant injustice that often goes unseen and inhibits families from living life to the full (John 10:10). Please get to know Woodside partner organizations and get involved in their work by tutoring a child, mentoring a young adult, coming alongside a family, and more.

Suggested Organizations:
Soar Detroit
Central Detroit Christian
Life Remodeled
Lighthouse of Michigan
Grace Centers of Hope
Pontiac Community Foundation

This also includes, begin a part of community food banks and thrift shops that help feed and cloth the community.

Pontiac Campus | Food Pantry
2^nd and 4^th Friday of each month | 1PM-4PM
Contact: 248-499-6416

Warren Campus | Thrift Closet
Wednesdays 1-7pm
Food Pantry hours are Mondays noon-4pm and Fridays 9am-noon
Contact: tylermollenkamp@woodsidebible.org

Lake Orion Campus | Food Pantry
Mondays and Wednesdays |10:30AM-2:30PM
Contact: 248-481-8069
Food donations accepted

▶️ Provide Love And Support To Children In Foster Care

By no fault of their own, children in the foster care system are forced to face the consequences of living without a permanent home or a normal childhood. There are currently over 13,000 children in foster care in the state of Michigan. You can help provide a home and become an advocate for the fatherless by coming alongside organizations bridging the gap (Psalm 68:5-6).

Suggested Organizations:
House of Providence
Youth Haven Ranch

▶️ Bring Spiritual Freedom To Prisoners

All of us can find freedom and a new life in Christ – even those currently incarcerated (Galatians 5:1). Help change lives and bring hope to inmates through the biblically based ministries.

Learn More:
Forgotten Man Ministry
Prison Fellowship

▶️ Help Restore Hope To Victims Of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, or modern-day slavery, is when people profit from the exploitation or control of others. This global problem is not just aaffecting people around the world, but it is an issue that exists and happens in our local communities every day. Volunteer your time to support Woodside partners as they work to restore hope to trafficking victims in Southeastern Michigan (Luke 4:18).

Suggested Organizations:
All Worthy of Love
Hope Against Trafficking
Our Daughters International