The Woodlands Hosts
20th Annual MLK Celebration

Dr. Ralph Douglas West, Pastor/Founder of Brookhollow Baptist Church (The Church Without Walls) is the guest speaker at the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in The Woodlands on Monday, January 15, 2007 from 12 noon until 1 pm. The event will be held at The Woodlands United Methodist Church at 2000 Lake Woodlands Drive.

The 20th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in The Woodlands, Texas is scheduled for Monday, January 15, 2007 from 12 noon until 1 pm at The Woodlands United Methodist Church at 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive.  St. Paul Baptist Church in The Woodlands is presenting the celebration. The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) is a sponsor of the event, according to Debra Staley, director of public affairs for TWDC.
           
The commemorative tribute will be given by Dr. Ralph Douglas West, Pastor/Founder of Brookhollow Baptist Church (The Church Without Walls) in Houston, Texas.  West founded Brookhollow Baptist Church in 1987. Under his leadership, the congregation has grown from 32 members to over 14,000 members and is one church with two locations.  In March of 1998, Pastor West was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers as a “Distinguished Preacher,” by Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia.

Highlights of the King celebration also include the Drum Major award, given annually in recognition to an outstanding individual or business in Montgomery County.  Winners of an essay and poster contests for students in the Conroe Independent School District will also be announced. 

Anchorman Tim Melton from KTRK-TV Channel 13 Houston will serve as master of ceremonies.  Myrna Irons, one of the original Hometown Heroes of The Woodlands, is chairperson of this event.  Frank McGee, Jr. Th. M. is the Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church.  Several music directors from local churches will lead the choir.  Directors include Don Barrick, minister of music for First Baptist Church of The Woodlands; Rex Everett, minister of music for St. Paul Baptist Church; and Joseph McKinney, minister of music for StoneBridge Church.

Members of the celebration committee include John Adams; Patricia Batiste; Don Barrick; Nelda Luce Blair; Constance Borders; Dr. Thomas Butler; Tom Cox; Chester Crawford; Pam Crawford; Bernadine Davis; Eddie Edmunds; State Representative Rob Eissler; Rex Everett; Rose Everett; Gerald Irons, Sr.; Greg Jordan; Loweeta McClure; Joseph McKinney; Cheryl Smith; Dr. Ann Snyder; Debra Staley; Nate Stevens; Dr. Don Stockton; and Peg Welbes. 

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston.  It is a project of The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.