A breakfast blessing

Community gathers for prayer breakfast

MOSES LAKE — Seeking a unity of spirit and hearing the power of God, faithful residents joined in prayer Tuesday.

They packed into the ATEC Conference Center at Big Bend Community College for the 12th Annual Grant County Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, an event designed to bring the communities of Grant County together in fellowship. The event included greetings by Moses Lake Mayor Ron Covey, and was attended by Quincy Mayor Dick Zimbelman, Soap Lake Mayor Wayne Hovde and Warden Mayor Roldan Capetillo.

"This breakfast is one of thousands that go on throughout the nation every year," breakfast emcee P.J. De Benedetti said in welcoming attendees to the event.

Prayer breakfasts are held in cities throughout the country each year, dating back to when the U.S. Congress initiated the first one with President Dwight Eisenhower presiding in 1953. The breakfasts are designed to provide prayers of support to the citizens and leaders of Grant County and the nation.

Locally, the event was organized by Moses Lake Kiwanis, with help from Kiwanis clubs in Ephrata, Warden and Quincy. The event included prayers and readings from numerous elected officials, and music from members of the Moses Lake High School jazz ensemble.

The morning was highlighted by an address by former Washington Redskins Quarterback Jay Schroeder, who shared his story of how he looked to God during the tough times, and the power Jesus Christ has had in his life.

"My life entails a lot more than football, and it starts with my belief in Jesus Christ," he said.

Schroeder played both professional baseball and football, and told breakfast attendees he was very fortunate early in his career as an athlete to give his life to Jesus Christ. Schroeder spent 11 years in the NFL, and currently teachers college football in St. George, Utah. He said he never would have made it through his professional sports career if it weren't for his faith.

"The only way I was able to do that was because God blessed me," Schroeder told the audience.

When his now-adult son had surgery to remove a brain tumor as a child, and later had it treated with radiation, Schroeder said the treatment's success was part of God's grand plans. To this day, Schroeder said doctors don't know why his son is still alive. But Schroeder said he knows, and said God has something very special for his son.

"Every day we are blessed with every moment he is here," Schroeder said of his son. "And there is one reason he is here, God decided to heal him."

Schroeder said God works in each and every one of our lives, and said we as people make choices to follow that plan.

The event also included prayers and readings by Live and Light Church Rev. John Bartlett, Grant County Commissioner LeRoy Allison, Safeway manager Jared Knoll, Moses Lake School District Superintendent Steve Chestnut, Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Manager Bev Shuford, state Rep. Janea Holmquist and Immanel Lutheran Church Rev. K. David Daugs.