First Baptist Church Celebrates Black History Month with Special Guest

You might remember the University of Wyoming holding its "Days of Dialogue" this past month in celebration of Martin Luther King. This month happens to be Black History monthand the Laramie First Baptist Church is inviting the Laramie Community to a presentation in tribute to Black History Month on Saturday, February 18^th, at 7:00 PM. Laramie's First Baptist Church is located at the corner of 15^th Street and Canby Street. Reverend Dr. James Peters Jr., Pastor Emeritus of New Hope Baptist Church of Denver, Colorado, and former colleague of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will share his lifetime experiences in the ministry and in the civil rights movement in a talk entitled “The Hand of God in African American History.” 

Dr. Peters will also deliver the sermon for the Sunday morning worship service at Laramie First Baptist Church at 11:00 AM Sunday, February 19^th.  Dr. Peter’s sermon will be an uplifting message from the Book of Psalms, Chapter 40.  Verses 1 – 3a, entitled, “Out from the Gloomy Past.” 

 Dr. Peters has been a Baptist Minister since 1955.  From 1979 to 2007, Dr. Peters served as the Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, where he led the congregation through construction of a new church home and the expansion of services for an ever-growing congregation.  Throughout his ministry, Dr. Peters has burnished a reputation as a powerful advocate for inclusion and expanding opportunity for all people.

 Dr. Peters has received numerous awards in recognition for his community service including awards from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, from the Denver Post, and from the NAACP to name a few.

 In addition to his pastorates, Dr. Peters has been actively involved in other religious and community affairs. The courage and the work of Rev. Peters during the dark days of the Civil Rights Movement helped make fairness and equal rights part of our shared values. Rev. Peters was at the founding meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and he worked directly with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He faced guns and dogs during the marches and civil rights demonstrations in Albany, Georgia; Selma, Alabama; and Birmingham, Alabama. He was part of the March on Washington that led to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King gave his unparalleled “I Have a Dream'' speech.

 Dr. Peters recently said that, “it's important for the parents of today to read Dr. King's ‘I Have a Dream’ speech to their children.” “You know where to find it -- it's right on your computer,” he said. “Read every sentence to them.  It will tell them of what life was like for black people just 50 years ago.”

 The Saturday evening presentation and the Sunday worship service are open to the public, and all are invited to join with the congregation of Laramie First Baptist Church for this rare opportunity to hear an inspiring message from one who was there with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. Peters will open the presentation on Saturday evening to questions.  Refreshments will be available after the Saturday evening presentation to allow those who attend to meet Dr. Peters.

 For more information about Dr. Peter’s presentation call the First Baptist Church,  745 - 4106 or church member Morley Langdon who is the chair of the committee for this presentation at 742 - 2845.