Rev. Willis Polk: CKCPJ's 2014 Peacemaker of the Year

CKCPJ held its Annual Dinner on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Imani Family Life Center. At that dinner CKCPJ's 2014 Peacemaker of the Year recognition was awarded to Rev. Willis Polk.  We are very grateful to CKCPJ board member Marion Gibson—who is also a member of Imani— for sharing these remarks with our readers.  

Marion Gibson introduces Rev. Polk's Peacemaker of the Year Award

The decision to complete Imani's "Community Center" first, and the sanctuary later,  illustrated Rev. Polk's belief that the work of the church extends beyond its walls, and that the church is more than the stained glass windows.  This confirmed for me that I was in the right place.

When Imani hosted a community forum on Saturday, August 10, 2013 , to facilitate a community dialogue around issues faced by the Lexington community, Rev. Polk called on the people to join him in a walk to demonstrate concern for the increased violence in the community. The following day, Sunday, August 11, he led a Peace Walk for 7 consecutive Sundays, through September 22, 2013. During these weeks, more than 1,000 individuals gathered at Imani to join him in a 3.4 mile walk to the end of Georgetown Street and back to Imani, hence the name The Walk 3.4.

Rev. Polk is familiar with issues around peace and justice, and has served on committees such asthe Lexington Drug Court Advisory Committee, the Past President of the Woodford County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P., and was appointed to the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission. 

Rev. Willis Polk shared with the audience the work that Imani has helped initiate as a leader for peace and justice in the Georgetown neighborhood

The efforts created much needed conversation, reflection and thought about the senseless violence that our community has had to deal with.  It is believed that at least 31 churches supported the Walk, and much needed publicity was given to this community response to the violence. 

The fruits of Rev. Polk's leadership and Imani community members' efforts continue through collaborations and concern for these neighborhoods, as evidenced by recent news accounts of work that continues. CKCPJ will be pleased to keep our Peaceways newsletter readers and followers of this blog updated. 

We are very grateful to photographer Rikka Wallin for permission to use these fabulous photos of our annual dinner. Click through to view her full Facebook album.