MLK Convocation ’23
By: Valerie Cruz ‘25
Pastor Mike McClure Jr., who spoke at Providence College’s 2024 MLK Convocation, offered helpful advice for students aiming to realize their ambitions. The founding pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, Alabama, whose church’s mission being “Love God, love people, and make a difference,” Pastor Mike Jr. is also a 19x–time Stellar award and Dove award winner. He has been acknowledged with his out-of-the box approach to ministry that has resonated with others.
In the process of trying to achieve our goals and dreams, passion is at the foundation of it all, he told the audience. Passion serves as the driving force that easily divides simple tasks into fulfilling experiences and changing challenges into opportunities. “Without focus, our passion leaks,” said Pastor Mike Jr.
His speech touched on finding purpose and the work that it takes to be a dreamer and fulfilling that dream despite what people and the world may do to hinder your light. Specifically, passion serves as our internal guide and a point of reference that keeps us on course. Without focus our passion can go elsewhere, or, in the words of Pastor Mike, it can be like a gas pump with a cut in it — no matter how much gas you may put in, rather than aiding and accelerating the car forward, it is getting leaked onto the road, leading you nowhere. So, without focus, our passion can become blurred and misled.
Hearing that both passion and focus are equally significant in achieving goals is helpful, because often, people advise that you “just focus” on whatever it is that you need to do. However, that is easier said than done. Longevity in focus requires passion, Pastor Mike said. Without it, you become unsure what really requires your attention and when. Passion allows you to prioritize and to become aware of what needs your extra attention. Focus then becomes that streamlined attention that your passion brings you to. Focus and passion are two sides of the same coin — both are needed to help achieve success and fulfillment, Pastor Mike said. Where there is passion, focus is required — pushing us to achieve our goals, to overcome adversity, and to keep going for what initiated it all, our passion. Cultivate your passions, and let them assist and guide you to new heights.
While Pastor Mike may have been offering this advice in addressing larger dreams and movements similar to those of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it does not mean that these same principles cannot be applied to the average college student. Finding passion in your major, schoolwork, and activities will allow each PCSB student to grow and find purpose in their studies, as well as to overcome struggles and achieve their academic and career goals. Gain focus for all that you may do, to know your passions are going right into the pot of success that aids you toward your future.
