30th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2011
CONTACT:
Tish Seng
269.969.2078
Schuyler Davis to Give ÒThis I BelieveÓ Testimony
For Upcoming Prayer Breakfast
Battle Creek, Mich.- Schuyler Davis found God and a second chance at life after he moved here. He will share his story as the ÒThis I BelieveÓ speech at the 2011 Community Prayer Breakfast, which will be held from 7:25 to 9 a.m. May 10 at the Kellogg Arena.
Davis, keynote speaker Fr. Dave Dwyer, and more than a dozen others will take their turns onstage, either speaking, praying or singing at the event, illustrating the theme, ÒNobodyÕs Perfect: Share Your Faith Anyway.Ó
Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased by calling 269-969-2120.
Davis, a former restaurant manager, came to Battle Creek looking for help to overcome alcohol addiction. But, by the time he graduated from the HavenÕs Life Recovery Program, heÕd also found God and a whole new outlook on life.
ÒDrinking was just like a branch on the tree, Davis said, Òbut I had to find the roots of that problem first.Ó
After Pastor Ricky Perry at the Life Recovery Program led Davis to God, his life began to change. He will detail the experience at the annual breakfast.
His talk will precede Fr.Dave Dwyer, keynote speaker, who is director of Busted Halo, a Paulist ministry to young adults. Dwyer hosts ÒThe Busted Halo Show,Ó nightly on Sirius XM Radio, and directs BustedHalo.com¨, a web magazine with articles on popular culture, lifestyle, relationships and politics.
Dwyer has offered commentary in The New York Times and Newsweek, and on CNN, NBC Nightly News and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Prior to his May 2000 ordination, he directed television for MTV and Comedy Central.
At the Prayer Breakfast, DwyerÕs speech will inspire the crowd to pursue faith in God, regardless of personal circumstances or failures. ÒFr. DaveÕs speech will highlight how we live and share our faith in our everyday lives,Ó said Jim Pearl, who will co-chair the Breakfast with his wife, Samantha.
Community members, including a number of youth, will share their faith by participating in the Breakfast program. The First Wesleyan Church Praise Band will provide a musical introduction to the event. Prayers will be led by Charles H. Palumbo D.D.S. and Fred Lutzke. Caitlin Bauman and Patricia Morel will read Scripture. Buddy Houghtaling will present special music and lead the audience in singing ÒAmazing Grace.Ó
And, as a unique feature, the poem ÒAnyway,Ó adapted by Mother Teresa-from the original written by Kent M. Keith- will be read by Hannah and Emily Pearl, Heaven Fisher, Molly Smith, Sarah DuVall, Valerie Morel, Meghan Lassen, Lizzie Benzik and ZaÕyon Mobley.
ÒFr. Dave (Dwyer) is all about youth,Ó Samantha Pearl said. ÒWe liked the idea of hearing the poem from young people. For them, as they are just beginning their lives, the poem is particularly meaningful.Ó
A committee of volunteers plan and facilitate the Community Prayer Breakfast each year. It has an average attendance of 1,200, including more than 300 youth.
ÒThough public demonstrations of faith are becoming less frequent and less popular, this annual gathering of believers has endured,Ó Samantha Pearl said. ÒIt shows that we long to be connected and to recognize and claim our faith.Ó
Since its start, by Dr.Russell Mawby and Dr.Paul Gieser, the Community Prayer Breakfast has encouraged participants to speak and pray in a way that is true to their personal beliefs. It is hoped that those attending will use the event to gain understanding of the faith of others and to deepen their own.
Although the ticket price has risen to $15 per person this year, the actual cost of the event is nearly $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, may send a check, payable to BCCF/Community Prayer Breakfast, to: The Community Prayer Breakfast, PO Box 4363, Battle Creek, MI.49016-4363. Those who donate $200 or more will receive two tickets to a reception in honor of Fr.Dave Dwyer at the W.K.Kellogg Foundation.
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