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Arizona’s Pioneer of MLK Day Celebrations Bids Farewell to Ministry

PHOENIX — Pastor Warren Stewart Sr. has announced his retirement, effective June, after nearly five decades of service in Phoenix’s First Institutional Baptist Church.
Stewart, a significant figure in Arizona’s civil rights movement, became notably active in the 1980s, advocating for the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the state. “I’m not mad with anybody. I love pastoring. I love preaching, but I’m tired! I’ve been doing this for 48 years,” Stewart explained, reflecting on his lengthy career.
The struggle for the holiday began when Arizona’s then-Governor Evan Meacham refused to adopt MLK Day after it was declared a federal holiday in 1986. Stewart, alongside civil rights leaders including Calvin Goode, emerged as a pivotal voice in this fight. “I never even volunteered,” he reminisced. “I walked into a meeting late and they said there’s our leader!”
Years of activism culminated in victory when Governor Rose Mofford signed the holiday into Arizona law, leading to the state’s first observance in 1993. Stewart’s contributions extend beyond this achievement; he also advocated for the state to divest from companies operating in apartheid-era South Africa.
While civil rights activism marked his legacy, Stewart maintained his commitment as a pastor throughout. He has dedicated his entire professional life to First Institutional Baptist, where he has served for 48 years. Recently, he began preparing his congregation for his departure. “It’s been an emotional roller coaster… I have shed many tears,” he admitted.
As he approaches his final days in the pulpit, Stewart expressed hope for his successor to continue his work. The church is yet to name his successor, but the foundation of activism and community service he established remains a vital part of his legacy.