National Hispanic Evangelical Leader Reverend Samuel Rodriguez Invited by King Family to Speak at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of America's largest Hispanic Christian organization, The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (www.NHCLC.org), also known as The Hispanic National Association of Evangelicals, called for an African-American and Hispanic partnership as he spoke at the annual Martin Luther King Celebration on the Monday, January 17, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Rodriguez was invited by Martin Luther King III to speak at Ebenezer Baptist Church; home of the King Center sponsored Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and he called for a "Black and Brown movement that will turn our cities upside down for the Glory of God."

"There are forces in our nation that desire to divide us. But I believe that we stand as Joshua and Caleb before the land of promise. Together we will remind America that the Kingdom of God is not red state or blue state, Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative but rather, with clear conviction and unbridled boldness we affirm that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost," exclaimed Rodriguez.

Rodriguez joined Attorney General Eric Holder, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Congressman John Lewis (Ga.), Senator Johnny Isakson (Ga.) and others in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.

The Hispanic evangelical leader proceeded to New York City where he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award presented by the Congress of Racial Equality, C.O.R.E. Rodriguez joined Dr. Alveda King, niece of the slain Civil Rights leader, in honoring her uncle and national hero.

"With gratitude I receive this award as I place it at the feet of the Cross. We, Hispanic Christians stand committed, not to a political agenda but rather to a prophetic movement. In the Spirit of Christ we will strive for the dream of Dr. King to permeate every neighborhood, school and community. We still believe that the day will come when we will witness faith conquer fear, joy silence despair and righteousness flow throughout the streets of America."

You can view Rev. Rodriguez' speech at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Atlanta at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad9X45XGi3o. For more information on the NHCLC please go to www.nhclc.org.

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is the Hispanic National Association of Evangelicals unifying, serving and representing the Hispanic Born Again Community via 30,454 member churches and 16 million constituents by reconciling the vertical and horizontal of the Christian Message through the 7 Directives of Life, Family, Great Commission, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth.

SOURCE National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference