15 churches registered so far for Prayer Breakfast kickoff

Two weeks from now, the theme for the 2014 Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be announced.

The committee is hosting a free Community Kick-off Luncheon starting at 11:45 a.m. March 7 at the Sumter City Centre, 25 N. Main St.

"The program will only be about 15 minutes," said Chris Moore, chairman of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast committee. "Mayor (Joe) McElveen will be welcoming everyone. I'll say a few words as the chairman. We will also show our promotional video (and) be giving them CDs with everything that they will need to help promote this year's breakfast."

The theme will be revealed at this event.

Fifteen churches have already registered for the kickoff.

"This event is open to all area pastors or their key lay leaders, past sponsors and potential new sponsors," Moore said. "Spots are first come. We have half of our slots filled thus far, (and) I'm excited that we have numerous denominations represented."

Conducted in conjunction with National Day of Prayer, this year's breakfast will be held at 6:30 a.m. May 1 at the Sumter County Civic Center. The speaker will be Ken Bevel, a retired Marine captain now serving as an associate pastor of assimilation and events at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. He may be best known for his roles in "Fireproof" and "Courageous."

Tickets for the prayer breakfast are $10 in advance. They will be $12 at the door the day of the event.

"We are also blessed to have a great mayor that welcomes prayer and realizes that to properly and effectively lead people he needs the wisdom that comes from almighty God," said the Rev. Al Sims, pastor at Bethesda Church of God. "One of the reasons Sumter is such a great place to live is because we still have praying leadership and praying people. I hope all the lead pastors in our city and county will be a part of and help promote this year's Mayor's Prayer Breakfast."

For more information or to register for either event, contact Chris Moore at [email protected] or (803) 774-8665.

Reach Jade Reynolds at (803) 774-1250.

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