The MLK Celebration Committee of Matagorda County presented the “Keeping the Dream Alive” MLK Award to Pastor Ruben Newell.
This award is given to individuals who are involved in community events and helps to fight the injustices that Dr. King fought.
This is something Pastor Newell has done for numerous years with his involvement in organizations in the county.
He became the president of the Bay City/ Matagorda County NAACP in February of 1991. While president, he attended the March on Washington in 1993.
Here in Matagorda County he fought to get the Matagorda County Courthouse to close on Martin Luther King Day as Wharton and Brazoria county courthouses were closed.
A petition was also submitted during his tenure to change Avenue C in Bay City to Martin Luther King.
Pastor Newell was also the former president of the Board of Directors for William Smith Tri-County Head Start.
He still serves with the Bay City/Matagorda County NAACP.
Pastor Newell was baptized at Bella Vista Baptist Church in Houston.
In 1977, he announced his call to ministry.
1980 He was ordained pastor of St. John MBC in Van Vleck.
1980 - Received Bachelor of Theology - Union Baptist Bible College & Seminary.
Attended Virginia Union University School of Theology.
Pastor Newell has been the Pastor of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Van Vleck for over 43 years.
In 1992, he was honored by the West Texas Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church.
He has been married to Sister Laverne Gatlin Newell for over 49 years and they have four children.
