ANNUAL Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program

Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 @ 10am | Ben Hill UMC Sanctuary

“A Change IS Gonna Come!"

Proclaimer Bio

MLK 2026 Program PROCLAIMER

You don't want to miss this gathering to honor the past and receive the blessings of energy, focus, and love to move forward, as our Proclaimer, Rev. Dr. Anton G. Elwood, Jr., brings us a word from the Lord! No turning back!

CLICK HERE to watch the MLK 2026 Program Service video

MLK Day 2026 Service Project

The Social Concerns Ministry is asking congregants to support the MLK Day Project by making donations to the Food Bank pantry. See the list of requested items HERE.

 

MLK 2026 AWARDEES

We are pleased to announce the following MLK 2026 Awardees who will be acknowledged at the MLK Program.

 

LEADERSHIP

Barbara Ellis Teasley joined Ben Hill in 1988 after visiting for several years. She loves singing and decided to join the newly formed Young Adult Choir at that time and is now known as Anointed Voices. A few years later she joined the Majestic Choir where she served as Champlain and secretary and is still an active member. Barbara is also a member of the Women in Christ usher team and served as the team’s Co-Captain and Captain. Barbara participates in many of the Church’s Missions Projects. She is involved with the Food Bank, worked with volunteers for the Back to School Jam & shopping for Angel Tree gifts. Barbara also participates in preparing meals for Feed the Hungry, assisting in distributing the meals and clothing and also participates in the annual Adopt a Family. Outside of her Ben Hill family she volunteered over 100 hours of service for a program called First Steps. This program prepares and delivers information packets to moms for their newborn baby born at Wellstar Hospital in Austell. She also gives to local Charities; Atlanta Food Bank, Hosea Feed The Hungry and United Way. Barbara graduated from Jackson State University with a degree in Social Work. She has worked in the Retail community for many years in various areas and currently works for Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps Plaza Barbara has a passion for gardening and houseplants that she inherited from her mother as well as her commitment to seek out opportunities to serve in her Church and community and in the workplace. She is truly grateful for opportunities to serve God’s people and work alongside leadership and other servant workers here at Ben Hill. Barbara is married to William Teasley and has two “Bonus” daughters, Ashley and Rachael and a “Bonus” granddaughter Morgan.

 

Winsome Jean | After a successful 20+ year career in management roles in auditing and institutional investing for both private and public entities in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, Winsome made a decision to pursue a different path as a creative. She eventually joined Ben Hill UMC as a graphic designer and print shop coordinator and is currently the Communications Manager with the primary responsible of promoting church events, engaging members, and sharing our mission through external and internal communications via print, digital & social media. Being a creative communicator and parlaying her years of industry experience, becomes for Winsome the highest expression of what she feels God has purposed for her life -- to be an encourager of the faith.

Winsome enjoys working with ALL ministries of the church to offer guidance and leadership in determining the best strategies to effectively promote & implement events & activities, in keeping with the overall mission and goals of the church. In so doing, she has implemented numerous strategies to curtail cost; improve efficiencies; engage members and followers; and improve/analyze event outcomes.

She joined Ben Hill in 2004 and is/has affiliated as a church member with several ministries, including Coins of Hope, Angel Tree, Ben Hill Training Institute (BHTI) and Coupled in Christ and Prayer Sunday School classes. Before moving to Atlanta, she was an active member of Wesley UMC in Austin, TX and among other things, was honored to serve as a reading and math tutor for the Carver Library.

Winsome has a degree in economics from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is currently a member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter, having previously served as the Chapter’s Journalist. Her leadership positions in several nonprofits have included being the president of the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants and the founding president of the Austin Chapter; being an officer for the Austin Chapters of the National Forum for Black Public Employees and National Congress of Black Women; & organizing a political action committee called Sojourner’s Trust so that black women in Texas could more effectively influence political outcomes through combining their financial resources to support candidates who actively addressed issues of importance in minority communities.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Jacki McLoyd is a dedicated, long-standing, and faithful member of Ben Hill United Methodist Church. Her commitment to service is evident through her leadership and willingness to share her expertise. Jacki played a key role in providing training on the new food bank system to members at Collins Memorial UMC in Atlanta. By working closely with the Food Bank Coordinator, she has ensured that several Ben Hill Youth are well-equipped to utilize the new system effectively.

In addition to her leadership in the food bank efforts, Jacki is actively involved in various ministries and volunteer teams within the church. She is a member of the United Women of Faith, participated on the Usher Team, & volunteered for the Wednesday Night Meals program. Drawing on her background as a former police officer, Jacki exemplifies a strong commitment to community service. She is also known as the Private Investigator for the Ben Hill Food Bank. Beyond her public roles, Jacki supports numerous initiatives behind the scenes, making her a valuable asset to both Ben Hill UMC & the wider Ben Hill Community. Her dedication, leadership, and service are deeply appreciated and celebrated.

 

YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITY SERVICE 

Alexandria Green is the daughter of Abram and Clara Green.  Allie, as she is affectionately called, is a ‘Ben Hill baby’.

She learned at a young age the gratification that comes from helping others. While in elementary school, she had a classmate whose father was killed just before the Christmas holiday. She reached out to family members and asked them for gift donations to support her friend’s family.  She was flooded with donations, which brought joy to this family in their time of need. Her passion for community service and helping those in need has continued into her young adulthood.

She is an active volunteer at Governor’s Glen Memory Care Center, where her maternal grandmother has been a resident since June 2023. She enjoys supporting the events coordinator with summer and holiday activities. Additionally, she has personally planned and executed three toiletry drives to help supplement basic resident hygiene needs. Through donations from family and friends, she has been able to provide a 90-day supply of most items (from each drive) for the 50 residents.

Other community volunteerism includes the Atlanta Community Food Bank, where she helps, during her school breaks, with distributing, sorting, and packaging food, as well as restocking shelves. Additionally, she remains committed to supporting the community outreach efforts of Ben Hill, by volunteering in support of our Trinity Feedings, annual Christmas ‘Adopt a Family’ and summer ‘Back to School’ drives.

Currently, Allie is a third-year student at Kennesaw State University (KSU), where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational and professional communications.  While at KSU, she has achieved high academic excellence with consistent Dean’s List recognition.

Her on campus activities include, serving as the Events Chair for Big Sister Little Sister, an organization devoted to mentoring female students. In this role, she creates several monthly events that enable and strengthen relationships among the mentors and mentees.  She is also an inductee into the National Council of Negro Women, and was recently initiated into KSU’s Pi Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

 

Tevin Sol, a native of Atlanta, GA, has been a member of Ben Hill United Methodist Church since 2018. He actively serves in various ministries, including the Ben Hill Food bank, Bell Choir, & the Bishop Cornelius J. Henderson Male Chorus demonstrating his dedication to both music & community service. Tevin represented the Ben Hill Food Bank at the ACFB Conference, sharing insights into the Oasis system and the food bank's supportive environment. He also assisted during the Ark Encounter trip by helping the bus driver with luggage & supporting passengers.

Tevin consistently supports Outreach and Social Concerns, assisting families in need and encouraging community members to vote and engage with local issues. At the food bank, Tevin is always prepared to serve, handles client check-ins, and trains our Ben Hill youth to use computers.

 

YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP

Tiffany Wills has continuously been involved at Ben Hill UMC since she was a child and youth member. As a youth she discovered that there is room for youth to join the Finance Committee. She served until she went to college where she got her BBA in Finance from Georgia Southern University. Upon returning from college, she decided to recommit serving on the Finance Committee as a Young Adult. She volunteers in many capacities at the church, including volunteering with the Nursery, Children’s church, Young Adults & the one that had a huge impact on her, Trinity Feeding (in conjunction with Trinity UMC). With the Young Adults she has participated in “The Ascent” (5th Sunday Contemporary Service). She is also an Executive Producer for “Podcast at the Hill” which is through Generations Ministry alongside Courtney Peters, Morgan Finch, and Demarcus Fields. Check out the podcast on the church website or Youtube. For more information on the Generations Ministry and Young Adults look up @thehillumc on Instagram.

 

YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE

Jordyn Tamirah Harvey is a young lady whose faith, leadership, and service has been nurtured right here at Ben Hill United Methodist Church.  She is the daughter of Trennis and Tiffany Harvey and the granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Doris Harvey. A truly devoted member of Ben Hill, Jordyn was baptized and confirmed here, and her spiritual roots run deep. As a former student at the Ben Hill Christian Academy, she began her faith journey early, singing in the Children's Choir and now continues to lift her voice in the Youth Choir. She also serves faithfully as an acolyte and is an active member of the Ben Hill Youth Council. Jordyn loves helping others and volunteering in the community.  She is committed to service both in and outside of the church, having participated in numerous service projects and as a proud member of the Pretty Brown Girls Service Organization.

Currently, Jordyn is a Senior at New Manchester High School, where she excels in academics and leadership and has maintained all A’s since kindergarten and currently has a 4.3 GPA.  She has been a Ben Carson Scholar for the last eight consecutive years, is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks as #13 in her 12th-grade class of 533 students.  Jordyn is also a New Manchester Varsity Cheerleader, a Student Ambassador, a member of the Health Occupation Students of American (HOSA), Culture 365 and a mentor to fellow students who are working through academic challenges.  In her spare time, Jordyn enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and building different designs using Legos.  These are all reminders that sometimes, the quiet moments can bring the greatest joy. Jordyn has one sibling, her sister Trenyce Harvey and her favorite furry friend that she received during Covid, “Ace”.

After high school, Jordyn aspires to attend Howard University and major in Biology on a Pre-Medicine track.  She is passionate about her career goal to one day become an OBGYN.  Eventually, she would like to start a non-profit organization to provide prenatal care to women who may not have access to or insurance for it. Jordyn wants to support women during some of the most important moments of their lives. She has a genuine desire to care for others.  Her dream is to use her education to provide compassionate care and create programs that uplift mothers and families in underserved communities.

Jordyn lives her life guided by her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jordyn’s commitment to faith, scholarship, and service truly exemplifies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She strives to be a light in every space she enters, uplifting others through kindness, excellence, and purpose. Her humility, compassion, and dedication to making a difference remind us all that leadership begins with a heart to serve. Jordyn’s future shines brightly, and she is just getting started.

Jordyn Tamirah Harvey is a young lady whose faith, leadership, and service has been nurtured right here at Ben Hill United Methodist Church.  She is the daughter of Trennis and Tiffany Harvey and the granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Doris Harvey. A truly devoted member of Ben Hill, Jordyn was baptized and confirmed here, and her spiritual roots run deep. As a former student at the Ben Hill Christian Academy, she began her faith journey early, singing in the Children's Choir and now continues to lift her voice in the Youth Choir. She also serves faithfully as an acolyte and is an active member of the Ben Hill Youth Council. Jordyn loves helping others and volunteering in the community.  She is committed to service both in and outside of the church, having participated in numerous service projects and as a proud member of the Pretty Brown Girls Service Organization.

Jordyn is a Senior at New Manchester High School, where she excels in academics and leadership and has maintained all A’s since kindergarten and currently has a 4.3 GPA.  She has been a Ben Carson Scholar for the last eight consecutive years, is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks as #13 in her 12th-grade class of 533 students.  Jordyn is also a New Manchester Varsity Cheerleader, a Student Ambassador, a member of the Health Occupation Students of American (HOSA), Culture 365 and a mentor to fellow students who are working through academic challenges.  Jordyn enjoys reading, doing puzzles, and building different designs using Legos.  Jordyn has one sibling, her sister Trenyce Harvey and her favorite furry friend that she received during Covid, “Ace”.

After high school, Jordyn aspires to attend Howard University and major in Biology on a Pre-Medicine track.  She is passionate about her career goal to one day become an OBGYN.  Eventually, she would like to start a non-profit organization to provide prenatal care to women who may not have access to insurance. Her dream is to use her education to provide compassionate care and create programs that uplift mothers and families in underserved communities.

 

CHURCH MINISTRY

The mission of the Ben Hill Prison Ministry is to be an advocate for those affected by the criminal justice system. Our Prison Ministry was revitalized eight years ago by Cynthia Holland and Rev. Gloria Parker. They shared their passion to meet the challenges of injustice in the criminal justice system with our Prayer Sunday School Class. A number of church members joined them in the ministry and Luther Davis, the current Prison Ministry chair, was one of them. Throughout his career Luther has advocated for those who were voiceless. With his government background in project management and his faith in God, he was determined to make an impactful difference in the lives of incarcerated men.

The ministry’s early involvement focused on incarcerated women. Under Luther’s leadership, the Ministry has expanded its focus to include the male prison population. Through Godly preparation, networking, persistence, and prayer, for the past three years, Luther fellowships every Thursday evening in a local institution of incarceration.

Thanks to the dedication of our ministry members, support of our church family and community, our ministry is reaching the families of incarcerated men and women, by sharing god’s love. Not having their love one’s home can be challenging for them. We stay in contact with the inmates and families from our Angel Tree giving each year. Our goal is to reach as many families in our community by joining other ministries and advocacy groups to have a bigger outreach footprint. I am grateful that we are able to let

the light of Christ shine through us so others can see God for themselves. Isaiah 6:8, Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am; send me!”. You can read more about Luther’s journey

There were several steps I had to take: First, I would need a sponsor with an affiliation with the prison of my choice, second, I would have to apply to the Department of Corrections to be vetted to meet all security requirements. After, six months with no response I decided to move on to do outreach in the community with reentry men. At that point I received notice to report to southern Georgia for a day

certification training. After which I received my badge to enter the state prison system as a volunteer, renewable annually. My mentor who is part of the state wide group who sponsored me was ministering two nights a week. He invited me to go in with him to see how the process works. He shared with me that the key topic, per the chaplain, be centered around self-control. Not knowing what to expect, I

prepared a lesson plan supported by scripture regarding self-control.

Our first face to face meeting was in the prison parking lot. I shared with him some of the thoughts I put into preparing for this visit. My course outline defined self-control mechanisms; emotions, behavior, desires and thought’s. Three types of self-control; impulse, emotional and movement. Then I asked what does God say about self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 The fruits of the spirit. My lesson centered around a number of scriptures: 2Peter 1:5-8, Proverbs 16:32, and more. He took the first hour of the session and then turned the class over to me.

The class includes men new to faith, skeptical of faith, and seasoned in faith. While challenging, the Holy Spirit is at the center of our fellowship so that each person leaves knowing that there is Hope and Joy through faith. Will they accept Christ?

Only God knows, the seed has been planted. Back in the parking lot we discussed the evening, my mentor shared that most people are intimidated in that environment, he stated that he was impressed with my preparation and delivery. He asked me which night did I want, I chose Thursdays, he would let the

chaplain and warden know that I was ready to minister to the inmates. What he did not know was that I had just finished 5 years of disciple training, and once I completed Jesus in the Gospels the Holy Spirit told me to go share the good news. Three years later every Thursday evening I fellowship in the institution.

 

REV. DR. PAUL H. EASLEY, SR. HELPING ALL MINISTRIES 

Anthony L. Haney, affectionately known as “Tony” was born in Smyrna, Georgia where he received his early education in the Cobb County school system. His commitment to civil rights began during his teenage years when he became part of the first group of Black students to integrate Campbell High School of Smyrna in the eleventh grade.

Tony continued his education at Tuskegee Institute, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He went on to build a distinguished over 40 year career in retailing, serving in roles such as Buyer Assistant, Assistant Buyer, Department Manager and Salesman at several major companies.

A devoted member of Ben Hill United Methodist Church since 1993, Tony has actively participated in numerous ministries. He has been a dedicated Sunday School and Bible Study student and has served faithfully as a Communion Steward, Worship Vision Chair, Higher Education & Campus Ministry Chair, a member of the Pre-School Board, Transportation Formation Committee and Differently Abled Ministry. He currently serves as one of the church treasurers and on the Finance Committee, Church Council, Higher Education & Campus Ministry and with the United Methodist Men. Tony is always willing to give a helping hand to many ministries and did so by leading his family to participate in such activities as the Trinity Feeding and Back to School Jam.

Tony has been married to his college sweetheart, Berneda Johnson Haney for 52 years. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Tiffany and Ashley and a son-in-love, Antonio. They are joyfully celebrating their newest blessing-‐–becoming first-time grandparents to Anthony Ayson Tompkins.

 

MLK 2026 Program via online at BHUMC MLK Program2026