Church Fair and March to Celebra

The Piqua Association of Churches (PAC) will hold its annual Church Fair at the Miami Valley Center on April 4 & 5th. The Church Fair brings together Piqua area churches that will have tables set up to exhibit religious
materials and numerous church choirs will be performing at various times
during the event as organized under the direction of Gordon Wise, and taking place within the area of the food court.

Since April 4th marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King,
PAC will host a civil rights style march in celebration of the life of Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The march however will take place on Saturday
April 5th. March participants should gather by noon at the Food Court on the southwest side of the Mall. A march route along the bike path will largely be free of street traffic and is being planned by Piqua Police Chief Wayne Wilcox. A program will take place at the site of the Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge located on the bike path atop College St. along RT. 36 in Piqua. The march will be a short walk of about one mile in length.

The Rev. Joel King Jr., the Executive Secretary of the Ohio Baptist
Conference and a first cousin of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will
provide the keynote speech. While we will honor the life of Dr. King,
participants will be encouraged to reflect upon non-violence, peace,
national healing, and the oneness of the human family. Anyone embracing
these values is invited to join in this celebration honoring Dr. King and
the Christian values he espoused.

Major Ron Starnes of the Salvation Army and Larry Hamilton; Co-Chair the Piqua Church Fair Committee.

BIO/PROFILE

 REV. JOEL L. KING, JR.

Rev. Joel L. King, Jr. was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he received his
formal education. He graduated from the Public Schools System in Spartanburg and
received the AA Degree in Accounting from Cecils Business College in the same city. 
He is a part-time matriculated student at the Ohio Dominican College in Columbus,
Ohio, and has been employed with United Parcel Service of Columbus, Ohio for over 23
years.  He has been a driver, supervisor and manager with UPS. 

Rev. King was ordained by his father, the late Rev. Joel L. King, Sr., (who is the
brother of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr.) and has been in the Christian
Ministry for over 34 years.  He is married to Mrs. Nancy R. Hayes-King of Columbus
and they have one son, Marcus Isaiah.

In 1992, Rev. King was called to Pastor the Jerusalem Second Baptist Church of
Urbana, Ohio and has served that congregation for the past (13) years.  He has
served as an Associate Minister of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church Mansfield, Ohio;
Union Grove Baptist Church Columbus, Ohio. I am serving my eighth term on the Ohio
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Commission; Second term as a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Crittenton Family Services now known  as Directions for
Youth and Family Services; a member of  the Columbus Baptist Pastors Conference;
Treasurer and presently Second Vice-President  of the Columbus Baptist Ministerial
Alliance; Former member of the Urbana Ministerial Alliance; member of Columbus
"NAACP; Former First-Vice Moderator of the Western Union Baptist District
Association; Former  Executive Secretary of the Ohio Baptist General Convention,
Inc.; member of the  National Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Advisory Committee in
Atlanta representing the state of Ohio; member of the board of advisor's of the
Black Church Web site.  In October 2007 elected to the Columbus Community Action
Board.

In December of 2000 was appointed Chaplain of the Columbus Fire and Police
Departments by Mayor Michael B. Coleman. In February of 2001, Rev. King had the
opportunity to travel to Hyderbad, India, in support of the missionary organization,
Global Gospel Ministries. This group is sponsored by 61 Pastors from America, whose
goal is to build 1000 Christian Churches in India by the year 2020.  Jerusalem
Second Baptist has 4 Churches name in their honor for their support. 

In March of 2001 Rev. King was appointed Chaplain of the Gahanna Police Department
where he resides presently.