Prayer breakfast officials seek sponsors for event

For more than a decade, people from all over Sumter County have come together each year to pray for the nation, state and community at the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.

This year, the event will be held at Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, on the date of the National Day of Prayer, May 2. After breakfast, which kicks off at 6:30 a.m., the 7:30 a.m. program will feature a specific time of prayer during which community leaders will lead attendees in prayers for various aspects of daily and community life. The event will focus on the importance of prayer in families.

"Our primary focus is on the healing power of prayer," said Chris Moore, event chairman. "We all have relationships that need mending."

Moore hails the breakfast as the first in a three-day event, as admission to the breakfast also gains one entry into a two-day marriage seminar to be on May 3 and 4 at the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Guest speakers Dale and Jena Forehand, a couple who travel the nation leading similar events, will conduct the seminar.

"This is something very special," Moore said. "We are considering this a gift for those who have supported us in the past."

Tickets for the breakfast are $10, but Moore said if you can't make it to the breakfast, you can still attend the seminar. The cost to attend the seminar alone is $10 but is free with the purchase of a breakfast ticket.

"Our prayer is that this will be a spark for our community," Moore said.

He said event officials are looking for individuals and organizations to help sponsor the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Sponsorship opportunities are open until April 22. For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact Bronwyn McElveen at (864) 430-4540.

A block of 100 tickets is available - first come, first serve - through the Shaw Air Force Base Chapel, free to active military. The general public can purchase tickets to the events through Swan Lake Visitor's Center, 822 W. Liberty St.; the Olive Tree Christian Bookstore, 600 Bultman Drive; or through members of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Steering Committee.

For more information on the event, visit www.sumterprays.com.