The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jackson’s sermon: ‘Hold on, hold out’
Pastor discusses history, current events in Atlanta.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson — a confidante of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. who witnessed King’s 1968 assassination in Memphis — preached from King’s pulpit during the 11:30 a.m. service Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The visit came in honor of observing the 50th anniversary of “The Poor People’s Campaign” and King’s death.
“Moreover, it comes amidst a government shutdown which threatens the life chances of poor children served by the endangered Children’s Healthcare Program (CHIP) and immigrants seeking a dignified path to citizenship,” the church said in a news release about Jackson’s visit.
The sermon also served as a history lesson, including the
significance of Watch Night services for black churches. Jackson used his presence in the pulpit for a lesson on current events, from the government shutdown to voter registration to building a wall along the border with Mexico.
Jackson spoke of the moral tone he views surrounding the current administration.
“Is this a government shutdown or a shakedown?” he
asked the congregation.
Ebenezer’s pastor, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, commented on the fight to pass legislation to help those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which grants two-year work permits and deportation deferrals to immigrants who were brought here as children.
“You have no right to celebrate the dream if you will not liberate the dreamers,” Warnock said.
In Jackson’s sermon Sunday morning, he suggested churchgoers, of which hundreds watched live via the internet, spend time registering people to vote and making a difference.
He also criticized Mexicans whom Jackson said had been reported bidding on contracts to build the president’s proposed border wall on the southern border of the United States.
“Can you imagine blacks bidding to build slave ships?” he asked.
His closing remarks suggested people place their values higher than money and follow King’s example.
“Don’t just admire Dr. King,” Jackson said. “Follow him.”
“I’m 76 now,” he said near the end of the sermon. “I’ve seen a lot in my time . ... I saw a black man become president . ... I haven’t seen the righteous forsaken. Hold on, hold out . ... Keep hope alive.”