Monday is Martin Luther King Jr., day, a celebration of the civil rights leaders life and accomplishments for the struggle to bring equal rights and justice, not only for African-Americans, but for all people.

The speaker at the Hutchinson celebration Monday was Reverend, Dr. Kevass J. Harding, an alumni of Hutchinson Community College, now a pastor at the Dellrose United Methodist Church in Wichita, a member of the Wichita School Board and author of the book, “Can these bones live: Bringing new life into a dying church.” He can certainly speak to that by growing his church in Wichita from 25-members when he became the pastor to now 650-members.

He spoke with us prior to the event in Hutchinson Monday on the legacy of Dr. King and told of how people can make their own legacy by helping others.

He then expanded on that in bringing the spiritual teachings in everyone loving each other no matter the background. He says that is what Dr. King wanted.

Pastor Harding has been very active in Wichita and talked about building up his community to be a better place to live. He says being a pastor is more then just a Sunday event, its being involved to help others, and he says thats his passion.

Also speaking was HCC President, Dr. Ed Berger, Hutchinson Mayor Ron Sellers, and County Commissioner Brad Dillon, as well as a number of young people and local clergy.

A nearly standing room crowd attended the event Monday afternoon at the Second Missionary Baptist Church across from the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson.