Faith communities unite in honor of King

RIO RANCHO — Sunday evening was a time of unity, brotherhood and sisterhood.

Those themes kept coming up during the annual Rio Rancho Faith Leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. service, held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pastor Eddie McCall of New Covenant Worship Center called it a great occasion in celebration of “a man that has done much for many” during his opening remarks.

During his remarks, Rev. Dr. Charles Becknell Sr. of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church gave a brief history of the event, saying several years ago, he was disturbed by how divided the country was.

“I thought, ‘If we come together as churches, we can bring unity. It has to begin with the churches,’” he said, noting that he sent out about 100 letters to different churches in the Metro area and got about a half-dozen responses.

However, that was enough to get the event off the ground, and the 2026 event featured about a dozen churches.

“I believe if we talk to each other, we find that we have more in common than we are different,” Becknell said. “It has been a marvelous, fantastic, uplifting experience. We can be the instrument to bring about change.”

McCall referenced King, saying, "We must confront injustices but still choose love.”

“Sometimes we miss the point of his legacy, what he stood for, what he fought four, and what he died for,” he said. “We’ve forgotten to love, to say no to injustice and still choose love.”

He said the true solution to the division and injustice in society is the “transformative power of Jesus Christ” and that what matters is not what we do when we’re comfortable but where we stand the things are uncomfortable.

“Will we succumb tot he false peace of looking away?” he asked, saying the call to day is to remember King’s true vision.

Rev. Dr. Geleta Smith, pastor of the Word of God African Methodist Episcopal Church and the keynote speaker for the evening, highlighted a passage from the Book of Hebrews and the passage’s message of faith, hope, love and persevering to the end. 

"This scripture passage shouts faith, hope and love, embodied by unity among believers with the ability to use the Godly passion within us to move onward and upward until we reach the unity of faith, the exercising of a passion not found in giving up, but in persevering to go on and see what the end will be," she said.

"On this day that we celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., what stands out most for me in this passage of scripture is found in verse 24. It says: 'Let us consider how we may spur one another onward to love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another,'" Smith continued.

Smith also referenced King's belief that “we are nothing without the Lord,” his birth, death, resurrection and the hope of his second coming.

"Therefore, let us draw near to him as he draws near to us, that the just shall live by faith, striving for human rights for all people — all people: African-Americans, Caucasian (because they have poor among them, too), and for the Asian-Americans, the Pacific Islanders and any that I left out," she said. "He strove for human rights for all peoples. I implore you not to take anything away from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. King ... strive to live out the teaching of Christ and to emulate King's good works as he emulated Christ."

Smith said that if that section scripture was written in the mid to late 20th century, King would be on the faith list as well as those that "went on before him, walked alongside him," including his wife, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Rev. Ralph Abernathy "and many, many more you'll never hear about."

"And in this 21st century, I can imagine the list of those that would be named that come after him, both living and dead," she said. "These are they that proclaim that living by faith is far better than merely fulfilling rituals and rules, inspiring some and challenging others to grow in faith and to live in obedience to God each and every day, no matter the cost." 

She noted the similarities of current times to the time King lived in, where the country is seeing strong divisions and protests, rooted in concerns about inflation, the cost of living, the national debt, social and political divisions, threats to democracy, racism, cultural clashes, immigration and border security and health care.

"There is nothing new under the sun, just new people but the same old issues," Smith said. "Therefore, just as it was back in 1963, it is critical that those engaged in this type of social action must know whose they are. They must know where and how, specifically where, God has called them to do this great work, stepping out with hearts courageous after him."

She also encouraged those gathered to stay the course: "Do not allow yourselves to be distracted or taken off course, therefore borrowing from the Birmingham Commitments. Meditate daily on the teachings on the life of Jesus. Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham, just like those peaceful protests today, must center on seeking justice and reconciliation, not victory."

Becknell put it in perhaps the simplest terms, quoting King, the man of the evening: “We can come together as brothers and sisters or perish as fools."

“Let’s not let things divide us any more,” he added.

This story has been updated with more thorough quotes from Rev. Dr. Geleta Smith's speech.