By Gabriella M. Evans, 7th Episcopal District
“God is a battle axe, and a weapon of war, that will destroy the power of these arsonists, our enemies, and our oppressors” – Rev. Steven L. Evans
On January 19, 2026, the NAACP South Carolina State Conference kicked off its annual King Day at the Dome, with the Statewide Prayer Service at the historical Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, where Rev. Steven L. Evans, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Ridgeville, South Carolina, was the keynote speaker. Hundreds of people across the state of South Carolina pressed their way through the frigid cold temperatures and chilly winds to bear witness to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who has called us to build a “Beloved Community”. Amongst the cloud of witnesses were Rev. Dr. Cesar R. Richburg; Rev. Carey A. Grady, candidate for Episcopal service; retired Presiding Elder; Mayor Daniel Rickenmann of Columbia, South Carolina; Congressman Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative of California’s 17th Congressional District; and U.S. Senator Corey Booker of New Jersey. Senator Booker served as the inspirational keynote speaker, charged with the call to action for the Dome gathering at the South Carolina Statehouse.
Raised in two of the more impoverished areas of Greenville County. Rev. Evans is not new to the fight for social justice and living by the words of Isaiah 1:17. In May 2003, at not quiet age of two years old, I marched with my father, mother, thousands of protesters under the leadership of my then pastor, Dr. Ceasor Richburg, demanding that Greenville County Council adopt the King Holiday. Twenty-three years later, we continue to march and continue to get into good trouble as we speak out against the injustices of today.
Rev. Evans emphasized the need to not just dwell on the Dream from Dr. King but also understand the epiphany that was realized during his conversation with Harry Belafonte.
Although we are well versed in the Dream, too often the epiphany of the Dream is forgotten. Dr. King realized that the work that he and many others were doing was leading his people into a burning house and that it was now time to become firemen. This house, which was built on oppression, racism, financial inequality, education inequality, health care inequality, and housing discrimination, is a house that was not meant for us. All of these things are fueled by militarism and financial inequality, serving only a group of people while patronizing and basking in the suffering of others.
It is time that we realized that in the fight to extinguish the fires, we saved every race and societal demographic while allowing ourselves to burn. We have allowed the outcomes of the faulty wiring of systemic oppression to set this house ablaze while we are still in it.
We as a people must understand that this burning house is not our home, for this is only temporary. So, we will allow this faulty home to perish so that we can then build our Beloved Community. A community that is based on the true principles of justice, equal opportunity, love, and value.
Photo Caption: Rev. Steven L. Evans, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Ridgeville, South Carolina, was the keynote speaker of the NAACP South Carolina State Conference, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Statewide Prayer Service at the historical Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
