'Love is the strongest weapon' speaker tells MLK luncheon crowd

The collection table overflowed Monday morning at the 14th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon.

Volunteers for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Celebration Committee said 100 to 140 people attended the event at the Salvation Army.

After the opening address and singing, guests settled down with their plates of homemade pasta and peach cobbler to hear from keynote speaker and minister Ramon Stacy.

"'Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend,'" Stacy quoted from King. "And Dr. King was first and foremost a minister of the Gospel, which is what made this man unique."

Stacy is an associate minister at St. John's Praise and Worship Center in Pulaski, Illinois, serving under Dr. Larry T. Barnett Sr. He lives in Marion, Illinois, with his wife, Monisha. Stacy began working for the ministry in 2005, and since then has gone on two mission trips to East Africa with Barnett.

He began with the history of King, how he received his Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1968.

Martha Jean Wilson, left, reacts to receiving a Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Award from Debra Mitchell-Braxton at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon on Monday. (Fred Lynch)

King shone brightly in a confusing time, Stacy said, and he stayed focused throughout.

"When I first heard about Ferguson, the Lord spoke to my spirit, and I heard a simple phrase, 'Don't get distracted,'" Stacy said. "... 'Don't focus so much on the media, but focus on my Word.'"

He then spoke about people relying on the media instead of their Bibles to get the truth, and although the media are often correct, he said, the facts can vary, while the Bible's word is unchanging.

Stacy quoted the book of Matthew, telling the story of when Peter walked on water, but only when he remained focused on Jesus Christ.

"Keep your eyes on Jesus," Stacy said. And as he continued to read through the scripture, he would stop, address the audience and say, "Pay attention to this part right here."

Karenya Jenkins, right, speaks after Debra Mitchell-Braxton presented her with a Dr. C. John Ritter Humanitarian Award at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon on Monday. (Fred Lynch)

The underlying message throughout Stacy's speech: Keep your focus.

Stacy encouraged people to stay close to God.

"Love is the strongest weapon in our arsenal," he said.

Stacy again repeated King's quote about turning an enemy into a friend, and before he could conclude his sermon, the audience rose to their feet in applause.

During the luncheon, Debra Mitchell-Braxton, founder and executive director of the celebration committee, gave out two C. John Ritter Humanitarian awards, one to Martha Jean Wilson and the other to Karenya Williams.

Williams worked all weekend preparing the various events and cooking the breakfast and lunch, and said what she enjoys most is seeing the people of St. James AME Church come together every year.

"I'm actually the fifth generation in my family at that church, so that's all I know is St. James," Williams said. "It's dear to my heart."

She said she refers to Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a "day on" rather than a "day off," and makes sure she travels from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau every year to celebrate.

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