Everyone in the community is invited to attend the annual Emancipation Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 1001 Eugene St.
This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Victor S. Couzens of Inspirational Baptist Church, Cincinnati, OH.
The annual service is designed to commemorate the evening in 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves throughout the United States.
Since the document was signed during the Civil War, it was not recognized by Southern states until 1865, when the Confederacy was abolished.
“This is a great celebration of African-Americans achieving freedom,” said Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and an organizer of the service. “You know, it’s amazing that Lincoln signed the proclamation at 11 p.m., and our first Black president, Barack Obama, was elected at 11 p.m. on Nov. 4.”
An interesting parallel to history occurred recently, when Obama’s oldest daughter, 10-year-old Malia said she planned to write her next history paper for class in the room of the White House where Lincoln signed the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.
“I’m going to sit at that desk because I’m thinking that will inspire big thoughts,” Malia told her father during an interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters in November.
Rev. Melvin Girton, host pastor of the event, said the significance of the proclamation should never be forgotten.
“We’re still feeling the impact of that document today,” said Girton.
Couzens has been recognized as one of the nation’s most promising young Baptist preachers. He served as vice-president of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc., received the Ohio Humanitarian Award from that state’s governor and is the founder and CEO of Victor S. Couzens Ministries, Inc, which has mission projects in Africa.
The Emancipation Celebration is sponsored by the Baptist Minister’s Alliance and the Interdenominational Minister’s Alliance. For more information call (317) 925-4132.
