Community Prayer Breakfast to continue; event set for May 5
The local Community Prayer Breakfast Committee announced this week that the annual prayer breakfast in May will continue, thanks to the generosity of local supporters.
The Rev. Dr. Israel Suarez, who has chaired the event since its beginning in 1988, said there has been such an outpouring of support, both financially and spiritually, that the breakfast will continue on the National Day of Prayer, which is Thursday, May 5 this year.
The breakfast will be at the Harborside Events Center, just as it has been for many years, at 7 a.m. The doors will open at 6 a.m.
“We are so thankful to the many, many individuals and businesses who came to us and offered their support of this tradition. Prayer is alive and well in Southwest Florida,” he said during a morning news conference at Fort Myers City Hall that was attended by Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson and other members of the Community Prayer Breakfast Committee.
Suarez said a dozen individuals, businesses and foundations have agreed to underwrite the cost so that the breakfast can continue to be provided free of charge to the first 1,400 people who respond to invitations, which will be mailed later this week.
The identity of the donors was not revealed during the news conference.
“It’s not about self or corporate promotion. All of our sponsors are clear that this is for the glory of God and for no other purpose,” said the Rev. Thom Shafer of Cypress Lake United Methodist Church.
Shafer said a member of his congregation came to him after the announcement last November that the John E. and Aliese Price Foundation was no longer able to sponsor the annual event. The Price Foundation had been the sole sponsor of the Community Prayer Breakfast for the past 25 years. Shafer said the Price Foundation has agreed to be one of the 12 sponsors this year.
“Within a few days, 96 people stepped forward to be volunteers at the breakfast and funds were donated to make sure that this event continues,” he said.
A steering committee was formed to handle the logistics of the event, including invitations and the speaker.
This year’s speaker will be Larry G. Linne, a motivational speaker and former NFL player who went on to become a consultant in the insurance industry and best-selling author.
His books include “Make the Noise Go Away The Power of an Effective Second in Command,” and “Brand Aid Taking Control of Your Reputation Before Everyone Else Does.”
Anyone who would like to attend the breakfast may call 239-482-1250 to be placed on the list to receive an invitation, although this is not a guarantee that tickets will be available. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the event, tickets are issued on a first come-first serve basis to those who respond quickest to the invitation. The breakfast will be limited to the first 1,400 people who respond.
Only the sponsors will have reserved seating, Suarez said.
“Everything else will be open seating,” he said.