The public is invited to the 48th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community-Wide Humanitarian Service Awards Program at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury, Inc. (1920 Shirley Ave., Salisbury) which will be held on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Reginald A. Wells, third vice-president for the General Baptist State Convention of N.C., Inc. and pastor of the Falling Run Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville.

Wells preached his initial sermon on his 16th birthday. He was licensed to preach at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Holt, Alabama. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

A believer that “a call to preach is a call to preparation,” he has earned a bachelor’s degree from Shaw University, Raleigh. He has also earned his doctorate in preaching and leadership from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Currently, Dr. Wells serves as moderator of the Middle District Missionary Baptist Association, is a member of the General Board and Executive Committee of the General Baptist State Convention of N.C., Inc., and a member of the Foundation of Fayetteville State University where he serves as chair of the Development Committee.

He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Beta Chi Chapter, Fayetteville. In addition, Wells is the author of “Leading When You Don’t Know the Answers.”

Music will be rendered by the Friends & Family Community Choir under the direction of Milton Griffin. Creative expression by Triple Threat Dance & Charm and the Mount Zion Dance Ministry under the direction of Krystal Stukes. Other program participants are the Buffalo Soldiers Greater N.C. Chapter, the J.C. Price American Legion Post #107, community leaders and elected officials. A surprise presentation will be shared by one of the Mount Zion youth.

This year’s Humanitarian Service Award will be presented to three very deserving individuals and organizations: Angela Houston, Next Generation Academy and Kiddie Land Daycare, Inc. for their outstanding humanitarian work in the Salisbury-Rowan community.

The celebration will be live-streamed and can be viewed via Facebook @mtzion.baptistchurch.54.