By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Modeled after the National Prayer Breakfast initiated 69 years ago by members of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, the gathering united Williams County elected officials, individuals in positions of authority, and community members in Christian fellowship.
It provided an occasion for those present to offer prayers for our nation and government leaders. The theme of this year’s event was “We Are In This Together – Philippians 1:30.”
At 8:30 a.m. attendees were treated to breakfast in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Following the morning meal, time was allowed for conversation and fellowship before guests found their way to the sanctuary for the program.
The beautiful pre-service music in the sanctuary was provided by Judy Lewis who played a melody of patriotic songs on the piano as guests filtered in.
After the audience settled into their seats, Mike Bowman and Rick Mettert from American Legion Post 284 and V.F.W. Post 2489 entered to present the flags.
Once flags were in place, Janella Tilton led the crowd in the Pledge to the American Flag as well as the Pledge to the Christian Flag. The audience was then invited to sing “America the Beautiful,” in unison.
Following an invocation offered by Pastor Kevin King of Ney Church of God, Carol Cramer took the stage to share a reading of the essay “I Am The Nation” by Otto Whittaker before inviting all Williams County elected officials who were in attendance to stand so they could be recognized.
Bryan City Council member Jim Kozumplik took a moment to share brief words on behalf of the City of Bryan and invited the audience to reflect on the theme for this year “We Are All In This Struggle Together – Philippians 1:30.”
Retired Hon. Steven Bird then offered a prayer for government leaders and military personnel asking that they be filled with wisdom, understanding and discernment when performing their duties.
Jenella Tilton resumed her place at the podium to introduce the morning’s keynote presenters Carol Kurivial and Kristen Hug, founders of Luminous Ministries.
Kurivial and Hug, a mother-daughter duo from Bryan, established Luminous Ministries in 2014. Since that time, they have conducted their programs at more than 170 events.
Their last presentation before Bryan Area Christian Prayer Breakfast program attendees was seven years ago and the BACPB Committee was thrilled to have them back.
Kurivial delivered a powerful message of inspiration. “The truth is we have a lot to pray for in America,” Kurivial began. “Life is a beautiful blessing, but it is also a great struggle and a challenge.”
“Life was never meant to be easy…To provide a metaphor, I think we’d much rather be on a cruise ship than a battleship.
But life is truly more about being on a battleship. And the battles that we are fighting seem to be getting more and more difficult…”
“Instead of falling in despair, we need to engage in the struggle together by asking Jesus to reveal Himself and His Truth to us right now.”
Carol then paused as music slowly filled the sanctuary and her daughter Kristen began to softly sing a prayer that echoed her mother’s sentiments.
Continuing, Kurivial asked the crowd, “Do we cower? Or do we go forward with courage? Do we tank or do we trust? Who do we trust? What do we trust? What do we DO?”
“Perhaps it would be advantageous for all of us in these tumultuous times to take a closer look at what Jesus did when He was in a similar situation.
And what exactly did Jesus do? He surely had His fair share of stressful situations and difficult moments. Is there any better example to follow?”
“How did He do it? He PRAYED…” “But where do we even start?” Answering her own question to the crowd, Carol offered the following suggestion: JUST START!
“Use like Jesus did – the ordinary things, ordinary people, ordinary circumstances, ordinary situations, ordinary moments in life. Just keep doing the next right thing because God will inspire you.”
“So, Keep doing what you’re doing and begin to do even greater things. Start where you are and build.”
“Anything that puts you in the presence of God is a prayer. It’s just that personal. So just do it. Engage in the struggle.”
Following the keynote presentation, the audience was invited to sing “God Bless America” before receiving the benediction from Rev. Mary Beth McCandless of West Eagle Creek and West Bethesda Presbyterian Churches.
All net proceeds from the Bryan Area Christian Prayer Breakfast program benefited the Compassion Medical Clinic of Williams County.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com
