Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

The scriptures teach we should give respect and honor to those who deserve it. The Greater Atlanta Church of Christ (GACC) joined together with several churches in our fellowship to present Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King with the 2009 HOPE Worldwide Living Legacy Award. Mrs. King is the sister-in-law of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. and widow to Dr. A.D. King who was also slain during the civil rights movement.



Lead Evangelist, Michael Patterson thanked the King family for their courage and the many sacrifices they made to see racial equality. He presented Mrs. Naomi King with the Living Legacy Award and awarded them a donation on behalf of HOPE Worldwide for the work of the A.D. King Foundation.



Our brother Tony Martin, a veteran in the music industry, teamed up with The Elements, a positive hip-hop group hailing from the Columbia Church of Christ, to write and produce a song dedicated to the King family titled, “A Dream Realized.” The song had been performed all over the country and finally made its way to the home of the Civil Rights Movement: Atlanta, Georgia.

Before the special awards ceremony started, Mrs. Naomi King and her daughter Dr. Alveda King along with Professor Babs Onaybanjo, President and CEO of the A. D. King Foundation, were able to hear the word of God preached powerfully by 2-time Grammy Award winner and Evangelist, “Speech.” His sermon convicted our hearts and inspired us to be the aroma of Christ by being holy and set apart from the world.



The ceremony came to life as the GACC Worship Ministry, led by Jody Lewis, and the Voices of the Spirit youth choir from the Stone Mountain church performed before a packed house. Renowned gospel artist, John Lakin and Youth on a Mission, as well as The Elements also dedicated songs to the King family.

The victory was in the many people of different races and ethnic backgrounds who were able to experience the kingdom of God through this event. The King family and many of our friends from the community who came to pay their respects were impacted by the love and zeal of God’s church. Pray for us as we continue to strive to live out Jesus’ dream to make disciples of all nations!