The life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored with a week of events at Hesston College Jan. 15 to 20.

The week’s events will highlight Dr. King’s emphasis on service to all people. All events are free and open to the public.

“It is good to focus on the memory of King and the service he provided to millions of people,” said Dwight Roth, event co-coordinator and director of the Lifelong Education Aging Development program.

Events during the week include a concert by African-Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble (ARISE) of Wichita at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. A reception will follow the concert.

One of Dr. King’s sermons, “The Drum Major Instinct,” will be the focus of chapel Monday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. The service will include a short viewing of “Following the Drum Major,” which is based on the sermon. Sophomore Aaron Young of Kansas City, Mo., will perform some of his original music.

“Dr. King’s philosophy of service is best captured in ‘The Drum Major Instinct’ when he declared he wanted to be known as a person who tried to help others,” said Maria Day, event co-coordinator and Spanish instructor. “Service is central to the life and teachings of Christ, as well as to the Hesston College Mission Statement.”

Marion Bontrager, Bible and Ministry instructor, and Lorna Harder, biology instructor, will lead a viewing and discussion of King’s Vietnam War speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. The speech is one of King’s lesser-known speeches, but serves an important role for people interested in peacemaking.

Education instructor Marissa King will share about her experiences with service in Guatemala and Phoenix during chapel at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, the campus community will have a Service Day with an opportunity to serve residents at Schowalter Villa in various ways.

A panel of alumni speakers will share their experiences with service during chapel forum at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20 in Kropf Center 150.

Students, faculty and staff will read poetry and perform music during a coffee house at 9 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Larks Nest.