MLKing, Jr. Citywide Memorial Worship Service Announced

Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley
Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley
The Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc., announced plans for the 39th annual King Citywide Memorial Worship Service. The speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Gerald L. Durley., Pastor Emeritus of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia. This service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the historic Second African Baptist Church, 123 Houston Street, Rev, Xavier L Creekmur, Pastor. This interdenominational citywide Memorial Service is one of the signature events of the celebration, and is designed to promote “oneness” among people of all faiths. The theme for the 2017 celebration is “MLK 50 Forward: Together We Win with Love for Humanity”

The Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley was born in Wichita, Kansas; grew up in California, and graduated from high school in Denver, Colorado. He was recruited to play basketball for Tennessee State University where he became a student leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Upon earning a degree in psychology, Dr. Durley became one of the first U.S. Peace Corp volunteers to serve in Nigeria. Upon leaving Nigeria he relocated to Switzerland and played basketball for a National Swiss team while completing post graduate studies. After arriving back in America, he entered Northern Illinois University where he completed the Master of Science degree in Community Mental Health/Psychology. After graduation, he became the founder and administrator, of a program that recruited and educated African Americans about their heritage. He entered the University of Massachusetts and completed the doctorate degree in Urban Education and Psychology.

Dr. Durley became a program manager in the U.S. Department of Education. He created and wrote programs for interdisciplinary studies for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) with the Institute for Services to Education, Inc.

Being a dedicated educator, and an effective psychologist, a nationally and internationally sought after inspirational and motivational speaker, Dr. Durley was gravely disturbed by the decaying moral, social, cultural, and family value systems throughout the nation. This concern compelled him to enroll at the Howard University School of Divinity and to earn the Master of Divinity.

Our speaker became Dean at Clark College, and a program administrator at Morehouse School of Medicine; both in Atlanta, Georgia. He directed major health, social, and civic programs across the state of Georgia.

Rev. Dr. Durley was a pulpit associate at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.; and at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. After 25 years of service, he retired as the pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church and is currently the Pastor Emeritus.

Dr. Durley has served as past president of the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta; co-chair of the Regional Council of Churches of Metropolitan Atlanta; and Head Start Executive Director. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Atlanta. A few notable awards and recognitions include the White House Champion of Change Award, Citizen of Georgia Award, Citizen of Atlanta Award, Phoenix Awards, Who’s Who in Black America, Who’s Who in Christian Leadership, Tuskegee Religious Leadership Award, Coca Cola Diversity Award, and a number of other awards, certificates of recognition, and certificates of appreciation.

Dr. Durley has appeared on a variety of radio and television programs; and quoted in newspapers, and magazines around the world. Breaking down barriers between Muslims, Jews, and Christians; Rev. Durley has traveled to Jerusalem, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Africa, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Iceland, Germany and other destinations.

He has been married for almost 50 years to his wife, Muriel. They have two children and four grandchildren. His autobiography, I Am Amazed, is available at Amazon.

For additional information please call the Association’s office at 912.234.5502.

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