Contact: Colby May, TBN, 972-313-9500, cmay@tbn.org

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Trinity Broadcasting Network will commemorate Martin Luther King Day January 20th with a moving, two-hour documentary recalling the tragic September 15, 1963 bombing at Birmingham, Alabama's 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four girls and jarred America's attention, marking a major shift in the nation's historic civil rights struggle.

The documentary, which includes segments from two powerful programs produced by TBN last September in Birmingham to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombing and the beginning of the civil rights movement, will feature historic footage of key civil rights events and speeches by Dr. King, and will include interviews with leaders like Dr. Bernice King, daughter of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King; Birmingham Mayor William Bell; Alabama U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell; Texas U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; comedian and educator Bill Cosby; U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; the Rev. Jesse Jackson; and many other notable public figures.

The program will also feature appearances by Grammy and Dove Award-winning gospel singers Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans, and Jason Crabb; actor and songwriter Clifton Davis; Major League Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry; and other guests.

The Rev. Steve Green, Pastor of Birmingham's More Than Conquerors Faith Church and a key spiritual leader for the city's 2013 50th anniversary civil rights commemoration, called the documentary a powerful testament to the "ongoing progress of civil rights in America from the unique perspective of God's Kingdom." Added Pastor Green: "The civil rights movement has always been about forgiveness and reconciliation. As this TBN documentary so ably demonstrates, when people lay down bitterness and forgive the grievous wrongs of the past, then God's love has the power to reconcile, renew, and bring blessings for future generations."

TBN Vice President Matthew Crouch said that the national racial reconciliation that grew out of the tragic bombing and the death of Dr. King has been an inspiration for TBN over its 40-plus year history. "This documentary, and our involvement in last year's commemoration in Birmingham, was a labor borne out of hope of continued healing for our nation," he said. "We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with so many courageous people who have paid the price to ensure freedom and equality for all Americans."

This exclusive TBN program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King and commemorating America's civil rights struggle will air Monday, January 20th, at 7 p.m. Pacific Time (9 p.m. Central, 10 p.m. Eastern).