29th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast

News Release

FOR RELEASE: After March 15, 2010

CONTACT:

Tish Seng

269-969-2078

Mark Lowry Will Speak at Prayer Breakfast

Be the Miracle

Battle Creek, Mich. – Mark Lowry, singer, songwriter, and comedian, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Community Prayer Breakfast, which will be held from 7:25 to 9 a.m., May 11, at Kellogg Arena. Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased by calling 269-969-2120.

Best known for his performances with the Gaither Vocal Band and his song, “Mary Did You Know,” Lowry will sing and talk about his personal experiences while relating to the 29^th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast’s theme, “Be the Miracle.”

“He’ll blend music and words with his great sense of humor, to talk about what Christians are going through today,” said A.J. Jones, who, with his wife, Kay, will co-chair this year’s Prayer Breakfast. “(Mark Lowry’s) background-that of being a hyperactive-kid- will speak to everyone about being the miracle, even when you don’t seem to have anything to give.”

Organized by volunteers, the Community Prayer breakfast is dedicated to gathering the community in a shared demonstration of faith.

“It’s really nice to see people come together with one thing in common, and that is to pray,” A.J. Jones said. “We think we’re individuals, but (at the Prayer Breakfast) we see others who have the same concern for our community, and who want to make it better for our next generation. And prayer is one of the ways we can make it better.”

The event usually draws more than 1,200, including 300 youth, who attend free, thanks to the generosity of community donors.

This year’s keynote speaker promises to wow the crowd with his music, comedy and reflections on life. For almost 40 years, Lowry’s performances have made people laugh, cry and think. Nationwide and internationally, he shares a message of God’s love and grace, along with stories about his life and family. He has released more than a dozen CDs, including titles such as “Mouth in Motion,” “Life Gets Loud,” and his 2008 Dove Award winner, “I Love to Tell the Story,” a collection of hymns.

He is most well-known for writing the lyrics to “Mary, Did You Know,” the popular Christmas tune, which has been sung by more than 30 famous solo artists, including Clay Aiken, Kenny Rogers and Natalie Cole.

A member of the Southern Gospel group, The Gaither Vocal Band, from 1988 to 2001, Lowry re-joined the group last year, and they released the “Gaither Vocal Band Reunion CD” shortly afterward. He also hosts, records and publishes “Saturdays with Mark and Tony,” with media commentator, Tony Campolo, available on podcasts.

In addition to Lowry’s music and keynote speech, the breakfast will highlight a community member, speaking on the topic “This I Believe,” and others who will pray and read from the Bible.

Since its beginning in 1982 by Dr. Paul Gieser and Dr. Russell Mawby-who continues to serve on the planning committee-the Community Prayer Breakfast has encouraged all participants to speak and pray in a way that is true to their personal beliefs. Those attending are asked to use the Breakfast as an opportunity to listen to others, whose beliefs may be different from their own, to gain understanding of the faith of others and to deepen their own.

The ticket price for the Community Breakfast remains at $10-the same amount as when the event began 29 years ago- although the actual cost of the event is closer to $20. Those wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution to help underwrite the event and pay for area high school students to attend at no cost to them, may send a check, payable to BCCF/Community Prayer Breakfast, to: The Community Prayer Breakfast, PO Box 4363, Battle Creek, MI., 49016-4363. Donors of $200 or more will receive two invitations to a reception in honor of Mark Lowry at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation the evening of May 10.

###

Back to the Prayer Breakfast Home Page