How You Can Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Service
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.”
This quote is only a glimpse into the remarkable work and legacy left behind by Dr. King, who is honored each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Taking this philosophy of service a step further is the National Day of Service on MLK Day. This is an annual tradition that encourages people to spend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in service of their communities.
Starting in 1983, the third Monday in January has always been dedicated to celebrating the momentous work of Dr. King in the Civil Rights Movement, and in 1994, Congress also deemed the holiday a National Day of Service.
This call to serve is similar to one that Paul gave believers in the book of Galatians:
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.‘” – Galations 5:13-14
Not only is service a great way to remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it’s also the perfect way to reach beyond our comfort zones, put the needs of others before our own, and display the love of Christ.
During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving our communities.
On Monday, Jan. 16, and the days surrounding it, BRIGHT-FM invites you to:
- Engage with your community. Inspiration and ideas on how to serve are listed below!
- Pray for unity, healing, and the hope of Christ to abound in our communities.
- Recommit to serve others year round.
Below are just a few ideas on how we can follow Martin Luther King Jr.’s example and serve our communities, both Monday the 16th and year round:
1. Spend time pouring into women survivors of trauma at Hon’s Honey and The Well.
This is an opportunity to listen, love on, learn from, and serve women who are on the journey of healing from the traumas of addiction, trafficking, generational poverty, and abuse. Sign up to volunteer on Hon’s Honey and The Well’s website.
2. Sign up to be a tutor with the Dyslexia Tutoring Program.
Help low-income children and adults who are dyslexic or have a language–based learning disability. Apply on Dyslexia Tutoring Program’s website to become a tutor.
3. Help transform lives at Helping Up Mission
You can be a part of the mission of hope and recovery for men and women fighting addiction and homelessness by volunteering your time and skills at Helping Up Mission in Baltimore. More information on volunteer opportunities can be found on Helping Up Mission’s Volunteer page.
4. Volunteer at the Center for Pregnancy Concerns
Show your love and be a beacon of hope and support to women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy at the Center for Pregnancy Concerns. Fill out a volunteer interest form on Center for Pregnancy Concerns’ website to get started.
5. Donate to the Pantry Project
Join us to help fight food insecurity throughout our communities by bringing food items to our next BRIGHT-FM Pantry Project this month, brought to you by Ashley. You can find a full list of what items pantries need most and where we will be collecting on the BRIGHT-FM event page.
6. Participate in Rosedale Baptist’s Helping Hands, Loving Hearts Ministry
Interested in getting involved with Rosedale Baptist’s ministry? Needs for this project include making puppets for missionaries, writing cards to those hurting, crocheting blankets for newborns, and more! Visit Rosedale Baptist’s event calendar to find the next meeting for the Helping Hands Loving Hearts Ministry.
Here are some words for us all to remember on the day of service and every day after:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
