Lutheran Bishop Yehiel Curry to speak on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Rev. Yehiel Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will offer keynote remarks at Luther College’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day lecture on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall.

The theme of the day and Curry’s talk is “Courage for the Common Good.” Supported by the Williams Endowment Fund, the day begins with Curry’s address at 10:30 a.m. Following an optional community lunch at noon for attendees, two sessions are planned for the afternoon at 1:15 p.m., a youth discussion with Curry, and a panel discussion with regional ELCA bishops for all others.

The event is open to the public, and admission to the morning program and the afternoon break-out sessions are free. Lunch tickets for adults are $10, but free for youth who are registered for the youth session.

“Dr. King taught us that true courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it,” Curry said. “As Lutherans, we believe that faith must be lived publicly, for the sake of others. Faith gives us the courage to confront injustice, to stand with the vulnerable, and work for the common good.”

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his namesake, Martin Luther, both exemplified courage both in addressing systems of injustice and advocating for the needs of the neighbors in their midst,” said Robert Clay, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement. “‘Courage for the Common Good’ invites all to bold, brave and benevolent action for the building of the beloved community.”

Along with the opportunity to uplift and celebrate messages related to King’s legacy, the program is also one of the first opportunities for congregations across the region to hear Curry, who was elected on July 30, 2025, as the ELCA’s presiding bishop. He was officially installed into the position on Oct. 4, 2025.

Previously, he served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, where he led a synod staff and 160 congregations by providing pastoral care, preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, and overseeing ordinations and installations. He was elected synod bishop in 2019 and reelected in spring 2025. During that time, he chaired the ELCA Conference of Bishops, fostering ecumenical relationships and theological engagement across the Lutheran communion.

Prior to his role as bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, he served as the mission developer (2007–2012) and pastor (2013–2019) of Shekinah Chapel Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Ill. He earned a bachelor of arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He and his wife, LaShonda, are the proud parents of three daughters.

“It is a joy and honor to welcome Bishop Curry to campus,” said Melissa Bills, college pastor and director of College Ministries. “Luther College is deeply connected to its Lutheran identity, both as a faith tradition and an intellectual tradition. This event serves as a reminder that this Lutheran identity is a living identity that calls us into compassionate and courageous engagement with our world. It’s exciting to bring people to campus for this event, and especially youth and young people.”

To reserve seats for the day, go to the Luther College Ticket Office at tickets.luther.edu.