The area's faith community is hosting several events in conjunction to the city's celebrations of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday next week. 

The celebration will begin with a M.L.K. Gospel Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday (January 15) St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, 501 Red Cross St. The concert will feature various choirs from around Southeastern North Carolina.

The Wilmington Ministerial Roundtable will host its 13th annual MLK Ecumenical Service at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 also at St. Stephen. The Rev. Richard Elliott, rector of St. Andrew's-On-The-Sound Episcopal Church, near Wrightsville Beach will be the featured speaker. 

Area church and community groups also come together for the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade on Castle Street at noon on Jan. 21.

In Pender County, The MLK Gospel Explosion at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 19) at Bread of Life Deliverance Church, 115 S. Freemont St., in Burgaw, will include performances by BET's Dominic Santana, national recording artist Johnny Tyrone Stringfield and many area church choirs. The event is free and open to the public. 

In Brunswick County, MLK Celebration Committee of Southport will present its annual MLK Roundtable Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 21 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. Program tickets are $12 and will include the presentation of the Walter Welsh award. Details: Ivory Parker at 457-5144, 617-6225.

- Amanda Greene