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NEWBERRY — Dr. Charles E. Young spoke at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. event on Monday on a common gift he believes every person has: Faith.

“Every single one of us has a degree, a measurement of faith,” said Young. “The faith we have in common is greater than any single gift any of us possess. Today, I am going to talk about the faith of (Martin Luther) King, of humanity and each one of you.”

Young, pastor of Union Station A.M.E. Church in Sumter, has preached at Pleasant Grove A.M.E. and St. Matthew A.M.E. in Newberry. He came to Newberry to encourage the community to live in faith.

Young said Newberry “holds special memories” for him because he used to pastor in the town. He also called Deacon James Hunter of Bethlehem Baptist a brother.

Young also spoke about faith in three areas: self, others and community.

“Faith in self creates success,” said Young, exposing the importance of a positive attitude. “When a person has a bad attitude, check out their past.”

Young also said people must have faith in others.

“You’ve got to trust somebody because we need each other. The biggest curse of humanity is (loneliness). If you believe in others, you will build community,” said Young.

The most important faith according to Young is “faith in an Almighty God who can do the impossible.”

“We need to work together, walk together, talk together, sing together, shout together and climb higher and higher and higher by faith,” Young said.

Young also discussed the history and the future of faith, what people have endured in the past and what they must progress for in the future.

“These men and women rose from slavery,” he said of African slaves. “They claimed victory because they believe that better days were coming. These men and women overtook hardship and suppression and utilized the internal gift of faith.

“History tells us between 1860 and 1950 that African-Americans in this country made tremendous strides because they believed they had an obligation to repair for generations to come. They believed that trouble don’t last,” said Young, who relayed some historical facts and figures around African slaves.

As for the future of faith, Young encouraged people not to be complacent.

“Black empowerment in education, civil rights, medicine, religion (and other areas) were brought into being because they believed we must prepare ourselves where we are,” said Young. “You cannot wait on someone to do for you what you can do for yourself. God gave every one of you a measure of faith.”