Sunlight beamed through a stained glass window, backlighting the Round Island Creek Male Chorus as they sang about the never-failing love of Jesus. In the pews, men and woman held their hands high, sang and clapped in worship.

This is the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Ceremony at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, which on Monday celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Advisory Board organizes the event and takes the opportunity to honor locals who’ve embodied the spirit of King through their community service.

Monday’s ceremony carried the theme of encouraging today’s youth to take up the leadership roles of tomorrow. Tanner High School football coach Laron White spoke on the theme, explaining that when adults don’t give up on them, young men and woman are more likely to achieve something — this was something King preached about and practiced in Philadelphia six months before his death in 1967.

“You have to try to give them a chance to succeed, don’t be quick to give up on them,” White said, adding that King also spoke of constantly reminding children of their importance and worth in society.

On a personal note, White is keenly aware of King’s legacy and what it meant for him.

“I was born in Courtland, Alabama, where we often had plays and skits to help us learn the importance of this day,” he said.

Later the coach went to the University of Alabama, where only three decades earlier, Gov. George Wallace stood in the doorway to prevent black students from entering. White often had classes in the noted Foster Auditorium.

“I never, ever took it for granted,” he said. “I knew all the people who sacrificed for me to be there.”

White explains he tries to take those lessons and share them in the classroom and on the football field, because besides their families, he and his coaching staff are the only ones to teach the young men love and character-building skills.

One of the young men White has counseled is Chadarius Townsend, the first ever Tanner student to graduate early. Towsend is committed to playing football for the University of Alabama, but is also known for his volunteer work in the community.

Park advisory board president Robbin Hines said she was touched by his dedication to service and awarded him the inaugural Jimmy W. Gill Youth Leadership Award. The award represents Gill’s propensity to seek out young leaders and encourage them. One of those youths was Hines.

“It meant so much to do something for the community and (Gill) believed in me,” she said, adding that today’s adults should continue Gill’s practice. “If we could just believe in our community and show them they matter …”

In another nod to the late councilman, Gill was presented the 2017 C. Eric Lincoln Humanitarian Award. His wife, Deborah Gill, and the couple’s children accepted the award, presented by long-time family friend David Malone.

“Y’all have shown that you loved him in many ways,” said a tearful Deborah Gill. “If he was here today he’d be so proud that this church is packed. He loved this community and he loved the city of Athens.”

Frank Travis, who replaced Gill on the council, closed Monday’s event by thanking God and the community for their support.

“I stand on the shoulders of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Wayne Gill,” he said. “It’s a bittersweet honor.”