Change focus at ENMU's fellowship program

PORTALES — Building on the foundation of change established by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the message guest speakers carried at a Monday evening event on the civil rights leader's eponymous day.

The Martin Luther King Fellowship Program, held at the Campus Union Building Ballroom, featured gospel music, awards given to area students who participated in various MLK-themed contests, and speakers who talked at length about effecting change for the better.

Casey Steen, a pastor at Trinity Church in Portales spoke of the importance of maintaining healthy influences to become the change one wants to see.

"It is who you surround yourself with: Are they influencing you, or are you influencing them, and are you willing to cut them out of your life to grow? Not everybody will be willing to cut things to grow, but there's a wise saying: 'If it's not growing, it's not working,'" he said. "If you're not trying to be the change, you're not going to get anything in this life. You're not going to bring anything in this life."

Steen cited King as the model from which anyone looking to make a change can learn.

"When I look at MLK, I see a great leader, one who was willing to stand when it was not easy; willing to show love even though the world was telling him to show hate; willing to go the distance when nobody else would," he said. "To be that kind of leader, first you have to lead yourself, and realize what you are beholding, because that is what you're becoming."

Pastor Delmus Gillis of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clovis outlined the journey toward change as King saw it.

"Dr. King, first of all, said that before we do anything, there must be a collection of facts. In other words, you've got to know why you need change, and if change is actually necessary. Let me suggest to you today, don't just be angry; know why you're angry," he said. "Don't just be passionate, know why you have this passion. You have to make sure that there is a clear wrong or injustice before you can stand to say something is wrong."

Gillis touted King's understanding of the impact that actions have on the future.

"Endeavor to build legacies that will last. Do things with future generations in mind, but always do things that are constructive, not destructive. Make sure you don't destroy what you're trying to preserve," said Gillis. "Dr. King's movement and his legacy and his life was for all people, not just some people. Right is not just a matter of race; right is right, no matter what color you are. Make sure that the changes you invoke don't just benefit you, but that it benefits all of us, because none of us are free until all of us are free."