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Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast takes place in digital format

May 1, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The annual Orangeville Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast took a different approach to reach out to the community this year.

With social distancing protocol in effect, the Breakfast was broadcast via Youtube from the Compass Community Church with staff from the church supporting the effort with their video production team.

The tradition of a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast dates back to the 1930’s in Seattle Washington and the idea spread across North America with many municipalities hosting events.

This was the 30th annual Prayer Breakfast in Orangeville.

“It is a non-denominational Christian event that is brought forward because a group of people will feel that we should demonstrate our desire to pray for leadership,” said breakfast committee member, Bob Burnside, during opening remarks. “But really we are praying for all leaders. We’re called in the scriptures to pray for our leaders and we take that seriously because we believe that prayer works. We also want to give opportunity for people who might not normally experience faith or worship experiences to view that there are rational people who believe in God.”

Much of the focus of the event addressed the current COVID-19 situation and offered encouragement to the community to remain upbeat in times of adversity.

Several speakers took the podium to address the audience including Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown.

“This rite of spring has been a wonderful way to bring Orangeville and area’s faith family together,” Mayor Brown said. “The entire world is tied together at this moment in a health care crisis. At this time we pay a special thanks to our health care workers and our essential workers who are allowing our communities to operate under very trying conditions. Canada is a nation of strong will and determination – we will emerge from this darkness stronger.”

Keynote speaker Orlando Bowen is a motivational speaker and former professional football player. He provided an uplifting message of getting past adversity.

“I invite you to think about what’s in your sphere of influence,” Mr. Bowen said. “What can you do to make a difference in somebody else’s life. How can you show up in a way that brings perspective, or positivity, or possibilities to somebody else, just by the way that you decided to show up? Your life has a purpose. There’s a reason why you’re here and sometimes it’s only through adversity that we begin to realize the many gifts that we’ve had all along.”

The breakfast also including encouraging words from speakers Tim Stevens, director of Teen Ranch, and Orangeville Christian School principal Rick Schenk.

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