Executive Director of ministry speaks at Concordia

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Rev. Amos Gray, the executive director of High Impact Movement, spoke at Concordia University Jan. 18 about his message, “Remembering the Stories, A Son Remembers,” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

High Impact Movement, a family and youth organization, is based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It provides after-school and summer programming for at-risk students ages 5 to 18.

Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and now from Hot Springs, Gray has been spreading his message about stories from his family and past figures who helped bring justice to African Americans in America.

Gray said his family tree is very diverse, with family coming from all over, and even some of them serving in the military. He said one of his aunts was the first African American to graduate from Hall High School.

“She told me she did it because she knew her kids would have to go through the same schools,” Gray said, quoting her. “‘If I didn’t do it, my daughters wouldn’t be able to go to that school, you wouldn’t be able to go, your friends wouldn’t be able to go. So, I did it.’”

Gray also mentioned some of the other difficulties that African Americans went through. For example, his great-grandparents had to pay in order to vote.

“My grandpa had to pay one dollar to vote,” Gray said. “That one dollar could be a three or maybe even a four-day wage back in the day for an African American. They would even pay six dollars at times just so others could vote.”

Gray said even though life was rough for the African Americans, his family and others still chose to fight through the adversity.

“Life was never fair,” Gray said. “But they still chose to stand. They chose to stand for what was right and knew that if they chose not to stand right now, that it will never get better for future generations.”

Gray then spoke on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and some of the things that he did to combat racial inequality.

One of King’s famous lines is: “No matter what happens in our life, no matter the situation or things we deal with in this world, the time is always right to do what is right.”

Gray then answered questions from the audience about many topics, such as ministry. Gray said that he was inspired to start ministry after his first time going to church.

“I was lost. Before I met my wife, I was just out seeking,” Gray said. “When she took me to church and I heard the gospel, I took it to heart.”

He also stressed that the younger generation can do its part by spreading the word of God.

“Your generation is the best generation on the planet. There are billions of you,” Gray said. “You have the world at your fingertips and the power to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. Use all your gifts to serve God in whatever you do.”

Gray ended the night by talking about his family and hoping to leave an impact on the future generations.

“I’m so proud of who we are and what we are about,” Gray said. “I hope I can pass on my legacy, the dream of loving, serving and praying for all people.”