(PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PRAYER BREAKFAST COMMITTEE MEMBERS … The Bryan Area Christian Prayer Breakfast committee welcomed Rebecca Miller to their effort this year. Much work has gone into the event to be held on September 24th, and they all hope to see a great turnout. Seated (from left to right) are Cathy Leu, Carole Cramer, Jenella Tilton and JoNell Gotshall. Standing are Kay Byroads, Rebecca Miller, Karen Walker, Tami Smith and Deanna English.
By: Rebecca Miller
(Prayer Breakfast Committee member)
All area residents are invited to attend the 49th Bryan Area Christian Prayer Breakfast to be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 903 Center St., Bryan.
Tickets cost $8.00 and can be obtained by calling 614-849-5986. The delicious continental breakfast, catered by Susie’s Lunch Mobile Cuisine and Catering, will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 8:30-9:30 and the program will be held in the sanctuary at 10 a.m.
This year’s speaker is Jack Brace, Director of Bryan Life Wise and special music will be shared by local singer, Joe Rath. Jack Brace, a familiar name and face in Williams County, has been an active member of this community for many years.
He graduated from Bryan High School in 1971 and from Bowling Green State University in 1975 with a Liberal Studies major. Married to his wife Amy for 49 years, they have two children and seven grandchildren.
They attend Sonrise Community Church in Ney, Ohio. Jack’s musical giftings are shared as a 55-year member of the Bryan City Band and in the pit orchestra as a drummer for the Fountain City Festival. He has also played for many Bryan High School musicals.
Jack had a 35-year career in community banking, spending 30 with First Federal (Premier Bank) and five with Farmers and Merchants State Bank. Being a member of the Bryan Area Foundation has kept him very involved in the community, spending seven years as the President/CEO.
Retiring from that leadership position in 2020, he remains an active member of the Foundation. He is also a past president and secretary of Bryan Rotary Club and is a member of the Fountain City Festival Board.
In March of 2022, Jack became the Program Director for the branch of LifeWise in Bryan, Ohio and was instrumental in the Bryan LifeWise launch in August of that year.
Bryan LifeWise is currently serving grades 1-6 in the Bryan City schools with an enrollment of 450 students. Jack is here today to share what God is doing through this wonderful ministry for the Bryan City children.
Joe Rath is also a name known in the area, especially to those who enjoy attending theatrical productions. Joe is a lifelong resident of rural northwest Montpelier and has performed in several Fountain City Festival Productions.
You may have seen him in the role of Tommy in “Brigadoon”, Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music”, or Daddy Warbucks in “Annie”. He has also traveled to work for the Sight and Sound Theaters from the Mississippi to Pennsylvania and has toured Canada from coast to coast with the Amish Freedom Players.
Currently he sells antiques and collectibles at various markets, tinkers on the family farm and works part time at the Williams County Board of Elections.
The committee has invited all Williams County elected officials, as well as state officials and the superintendents of all seven school districts to attend this year. Come and thank them for their service and join in praying for them at this annual event.