Battle Creek Michigan

2002 Community Prayer Breakfast

Prayer Breakfast Highlights

text and photos by Jan Corey Arnett

Coralan Communications

Web design by Maggie LaNoue

Albion Design

Ambassador Robert A. Seiple is greeted by Dr. Arlon Elser.

"A Gracious God in a Hurting World"

As Ambassador Robert A. Seiple spoke with passion and conviction to the Prayer Breakfast crowd May 7 at Stouffer's Battle Creek hotel, he made his audience laugh, brought a tear to more than one eye, and left listeners thinking about what their own faith really means, especially when confronted by religious persecution.

the story continues............

Back to the top

"Community Prayer Breakfast Speakers Challenge Us
to Consider our Faith and Eternity"

Ambassador Robert A. Seiple, founder of the Institute for Global Engagement and Officer Brandon Hultink of the Battle Creek Police Department delivered stirring remarks from the heart that challenged the thousand or so people gathered May 7 at Battle Creek Stouffer's Hotel for the 21st annual Community Prayer Breakfast. Both men asked those gathered to consider how short life is in comparison to eternity as they shared accounts of personal crises in their lives.

Battle Creek began its own version of the National Prayer Breakfast 21 years ago and it remains one of the longest running successful community events of its kind in the nation. The Breakfast has as its mission, "A reaffirmation that people of goodwill, standing together for a common purpose, can transcend racial, geographical, or cultural differences and create opportunities for community progress."

Dr. Charles Coleman, superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools, and his wife, Holly, chaired this year's event. A prayer for fellowship was delivered by Dr. Tyrone Baines, a Battle Creek city commissioner and program director at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The Kellogg Community College Concert Band, directed by Ed Zentera, provided music before and during the breakfast.

A special musical presentation of "Love at Home" was made by the Cereal City Barbershop Chorus: members Ben Jerzyk, Dorn Burrill, Don Burrill, and Dean Burrill. Battle Creek Central High School student Matthew Bogart delivered the Old Testament reading. The coleman's daughters, Lindsey and Stacy shared in reading from the New Testament.

A "prayer for family, community, state, nation and world" was offered by Battle Creek City Manager George Strand, followed by the singing of "God Bless America" by Carolyn Ballard.

After the "This I Believe" testimonial from Officer Hultink and remarks entitled "A Gracious God in a Hurting World" by keynote speaker Ambassador Seiple, Bill Miller and Mark Christoff led the singing of "Amazing Grace." The morning's events concluded with a prayer by the Reverend Jeffrey Franklin. Sign language interpreting for the dearf was done by Susan Boyer and Roxanne Duncan.
  
Persons who were unable to attend the Prayer Breakfast may see it on Access Vision Channel 11 May 16 at 6 p.m. or May 18 at 9 p.m. or may contact Pamela Hurley at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (1-269-969-2142) by May 17 to purchase an audio tape at a cost of $4.

The Prayer Breakfast planning committee welcomes volunteers to help plan future events. Anyone interested in becoming part of this process is encouraged to contact Pamela Hurley.

Back to the top

Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent Charles Coleman (right) visits with local citizens after the Prayer Breakfast.

Back to the top

The Kellogg Community College Concert Band, directed by Ed Zentera, provided music before and during the breakfast.

Back to the top

Officer Brandon Hultink and his wife Kelly are greeted after the Prayer Breakfast by Joe Stewart (right).

"Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

Sergeant Brandon Hultink of the Battle Creek Police Department has known what it is to lie partially paralyzed from gunshot blasts blazing in the blackness of night. He has felt excruciating pain in his body turn to shock and shock into the creeping coldness of near death.

The story continues..............

Carolyn Ballard sang a stirring rendition of "God Bless America"...

Back to the top

Friends are glad to meet at the Community Prayer Breakfast.

A springtime scene in Battle Creek

Celebrate friendship, celebrate faith!

A happy face
makes the world
a better place!