Taylor Celebrates the King Holiday with a Day of Learning, Fellowship, Achievement

Taylor University will celebrate the holiday for civil rights champion Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 16, with worship, food, and presentations celebrating the achievement of Taylor’s black and brown community members.

As has been the practice for the nearly 30 years Taylor has celebrated the day, University officials have suspended regularly scheduled classes so the entire community from students to faculty and staff can participate.

The day begins with chapel at 10 am, in the Rediger Chapel/Auditorium, with guest speaker, author, and pastor Dr. Aaron Lavender.

Lavender served in the pastoral ministry for 40 years prior to his retirement in 2020, and now lives in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of several books including Enduring Truth: Restoring Sound Theology and Relevance to African American Preaching; Are You a Full Gospel Christian?; and Trusting God Anyhow.

He is affiliated with the Baptist Fellowship Association – a group of multi-ethnic congregations across the country that gathers for fellowship and encouragement. He also holds degrees from Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary, Trinity Theological Seminary, Masters Divinity School, Grace Theological Seminary, and Carver College.

A Lunch and Learn session in the Hodson Dining Commons with Lavender begins at 11:30. Then from 1 pm-2:30 pm, presentations of achievement by members of Taylor’s ethnic students and faculty community will be on display in the Boren Center. Additionally, displays and poetry will be exhibited in the Office of Intercultural Programs, also in Boren. 

Gregory Dyson, Vice President for Intercultural Initiatives at Taylor, said the theme of this year’s celebration is LIFT: "Following the example of Dr. King, we want to encourage and strengthen those around us."

“The holiday both celebrating and remembering the vital work of Dr. King is as relevant today as it was during his life,” Dyson added. “Dr. King’s message was one of hope and a promising eye to the future where he envisioned a world where men and women, boys and girls of all colors could live, work, and play together. This is a wonderful enhancement to the Taylor mission statement that seeks to create lifelong learners who are filled with a passion to minister the redemptive love, grace, and truth of Jesus to a world in need.”