Two dynamic preachers from the North will help Saint Philip AME Church celebrate the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 19 and 20.

Bishop Walter Scott Thomas Sr. from the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore and Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries Jr. will preach for Saint Philip’s annual King Weekend celebration.

The church kicks off the observance with a Jan. 19 breakfast featuring Thomas, who grew his church from 200 members in 1975 to more than 7,000 active members today.

Thomas is a highly regarded executive and personal coach with more than 30 years of experience working with church leaders, pastors and church staff and building effective ministry teams.

The breakfast begins at 9 a.m. and is free to attend, but space is limited and reservations are required by calling 404-371-0749.

Soaries, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J., is a pioneer of faith-based community development. His pastoral ministry focuses on spiritual growth, educational excellence and economic empowerment. A former N.J. secretary of state, he is the first African-American male to serve as a constitutional officer in that state; he also served as chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Soaries will speak on Jan. 20 at the 7:30 and 11 a.m. worship services.

Saint Philip AME is at 240 Candler Road. For more information, call 404-371-0749.