Brief History

Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church (MLK Church) was founded based on the needs of a small group of Christians living in Reston, VA who wanted a worship service for their children similar to what they had experienced while growing up, a worship experience that was meaningful and life transforming.

A great retelling of our history is heard at various yearly events in which one would hear the mentioning of "crabs from heaven". On a Sunday evening in July 1981, the aforementioned Christians gathered to have a crab feast, and from that feast, a very powerful prayer meeting began that led to the discussion of a worship service.

On January 15, 1982, twelve Christians gathered at the home of Adelle and John Arthur Jones and decided the name of the church was to be Martin Luther King, Jr. Church. This name was selected because it symbolizes the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and who like Jesus, also had compassion for the oppressed. The first worship service was held at the Southgate Community room in Reston, Virginia on Sunday, February 7, 1982.

The first Interim Minister was the Rev. Dr. Joseph Dancy, Jr. (January 1982-November, 1984). It was during his tenure that the word "Christian" was added to the church's name; whereby we are now known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church. Rev. Dancy established a weekly study of God's Holy Word, which has continued to this day and is held every Wednesday night. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he also initiated other ministries such as the tutoring program, enrichment trips for the Sunday school, food and clothing bank. Because of his visionary leadership we continue to work closely with agencies in Reston to assist the needy as the Lord commissioned us to do over 19 years ago.

The second Minister that God sent our way was the Rev. Dr. Clinton D. McNair (November 4, 1984 - September 1998). It was under Rev. McNair's thoughtful and meticulous leadership that the church developed an organizational structure, which included five ministries that are currently being used to guide the church today. These ministries nurture our members, and extend our outreach to the community.

It was during Rev.McNair's tenure that the members began working more fervently to live out the spirit of community involvement embodied in the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Working closely with the Reston Community Center, our church developed an extensive, interactive, community-wide program in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Every year on the celebration of Martin Luther King Day, in January, the MLK Church, volunteers from the community, businesses in the area and other church denominations assist in a day long tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It was also during Rev. McNair's tenure that the church became a member of the and the Rev. McNair was also instrumental in the purchase of 2.3 acres of land in 1987, which is located at 11400 North Shore Drive in Reston, Virginia in 1987. Under Rev. McNair's leadership, the King Church gained a greater involvement in the Reston Community, the Reston Association, Fairfax County Education Committees, Reston Interfaith Board, Northwest Mental Health Center and the Reston Shelter.

When Rev. McNair left in September of 1998, the church has had the following interim ministers: Rev. Dr. Lillie Travis, Assistant Pastor, Rev. Patrick Wilson, and Rev. Lisa Mitchell, Associate Pastor. After a year in prayer, the Search Committee and the Church, after reviewing various candidates, agreed that Rev. Clarence W. Davis would be the Minister to lead the King Church. Rev. Davis came to us from Detroit, Michigan's historic Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, where the pastor is the Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams. Pastor Davis received his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology degrees from Harvard University.

During his tenure, Rev. Davis has certainly involved all members in every aspect of the church. New members, founding members, young and old alike are encouraged to stay busy working for the Master. Rev. Davis is lifting up a simple yet inescapable mission for the church, all of its members and ministries. The mission is to press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This calling is to lead the lost to the Savior and to strengthen the saints for the work of ministry. To that end, a number of ministry opportunities are abounding.

Pastor Davis developed a weekly 6:00am morning prayer service (which is only one hour) for those church members and community members who want or need a prayer to start the day. He had re-established the "King Circle", a program led by our Deacons to nurture each member in the church as well as provide in-depth, yet informal Bible Study in the homes. Under the administration of Rev. Davis, an ALPHA program, which is a worldwide program of evangelism, has come to the MLK Church. The first ALPHA for the King Church was be held on September 10, 2001.

Our church is a church with a mission. We are determined to lead the lost to the Savior and to strengthen the saints for the work of ministry. We may be a small church but our hearts are big. We have outstretched arms to always welcome more to the vineyard.

Presently, we are developing plans to lay the foundation for our new, permanent home. The task may not be easy, but we are sure that God has not brought us this far to leave us now. For, it is our testimony that...

We have come this far by faith...and we shall press on towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!