Bishop Freddie Marshall of Christ Cathedral Church of Deliverance challenged members of the Elon community to stand against prejudice and injustice during an address Wednesday, Jan. 15. Details...
Marshall delivered Elon’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative address in Whitley Auditorium. His address, titled “Just How Far Have We Overcome?” urged community members to use their voices to create change.
“We must make it possible for all of us to live together in this world,” Marshall said. “I believe God has given us a voice to challenge and change this world.”
Marshall said injustice and intolerance in any form cannot be tolerated. He said people of all backgrounds, races and religions must be vigilant in their efforts to stamp out hatred.
“There must be a commitment that racism anywhere is not acceptable in the United States. Injustice anywhere is still a threat to justice everywhere. We have to stand strong and be bold soldiers in striking down anything that divides this country.”
Marshall is senior pastor and founder of Christ Cathedral Church of Deliverance in Winston-Salem, N.C. He founded Christ Cathedral Church in 1990 at age 22. He has served as secretary of the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and currently serves as secretary general and chairman of the Southeastern Joint College of Bishops board of directors.
Elon President Leo M. Lambert said “Martin Luther King Day should be a time for remembering, a day for action….The day was established as a powerful tribute to King’s philosophy and stature.” He concluded his remarks by telling the audience that to truly honor King’s memory, “we must have the courage to say, as he did, ‘I refuse to accept the view…that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.’ It must become reality.”
The program featured several selections by the Elon University Gospel Choir and a special introductory presentation by students Daniel Watts, Doris Molina and Renita Leak.
After the program, members of the Black Cultural Society and Students for Peace and Justice were joined by others for a peace walk across campus from Whitley Auditorium to Moseley Center.