DOVER - The First Baptist Church of Dover, Ohio will host its annual celebration of Martin Luther King Day on January 20th. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle will deliver the keynote address on the day. First Baptist pastor Rev. Rasheed As-Samad is excited to continue the tradition of First Baptist hosting the King Day celebration. 

“We are extremely honored to have a leader of Dr. McMickle's caliber join us for what has really grown over the years to become Tuscarawas County’s premier event and celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each year this event brings together civic and spiritual leaders from throughout the county to honor Dr. King and share his message of hope and inspiration,” As-Samad says.

Attendees will participate in celebration through worship and the singing of gospel hymns. New Philadelphia Law Director Marvin Fete will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, and there will be an inspirational reading by Tuscarawas County Juvenile and Probate Court Magistrate Adam Wilgus. The program will also feature a musical performance by Jerome James, with a reception held afterward, offering refreshments donated by Litty's Cakes and Cookies of New Philadelphia.  

Rev. As-Samad adds, ”We invite everyone to join us for some good music and fellowship as we celebrate not just a man, but a message that has endured for over half a century and still has meaning for us today."        

For questions or comments concerning this release, please contact Attorney Marvin T. Fete at (330) 340-2694.
  
About Dr. Marvin A. McMickle:
Dr. McMickle graduated from Aurora University with a B.A. in Philosophy. They awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity and the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. They also awarded him the Unitas Award. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus. He was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Case Western Reserve University and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by Payne Theological Seminary. He served as the 12th President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) in Rochester, New York. 

Prior to joining the CRCDS he was pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the Board of Trustees of Cleveland State University. Dr. McMickle was also the Professor of Homiletics at Ashland Theological Seminary where, upon retiring, the faculty named him Professor Emeritus. 

Dr. McMickle is the author of 17 books and dozens of articles which regularly appear in professional journals and magazines. He is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and has served as a Visiting Professor of Preaching at Yale University Divinity School. He is currently the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Professor of African American Religious Studies at CRCDS.

DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH