Former NFL ref speaks at prayer breakfast

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake citizens gathered at Big Bend Community College's ATEC center Tuesday for a morning of prayer.

The Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake's annual Grant County Mayor's Prayer Breakfast gave people a chance to share breakfast while engaged in prayer led by various leaders in the community.

Former National Football League referee and motivational speaker Steve Wilson delivered the keynote address.

Wilson related three principles he's observed on the football field to following the word of God. The three principles are expectation, excellence and execution.

Football teams have high levels of expectation for each team mate, said Wilson. The Bible says God is the vine and we are the branch, he said in reference to John 15:5.

"If we're connected to him, he says we will bear much fruit," he said. "He doesn't say that you can or that you might. The word of God says you will bear much fruit."

He stressed the need for goals and benchmarks in people's lives.

Wilson also extolled excellence in people's lives.

"The Lord gave everything He had for each one of us," he said. "We talk about Easter. We talk about him sacrificing His life for each one in this room that we might know him personally ... Well what are you giving today? Are you giving some of what you have or a portion? Or are you just kind of a get-by kind of person?"

People should perform their work with excellence and people should be able to count on them, he said.

It's not enough to talk the talk - people need to be willing to execute their words, said Wilson.

"When the going gets tough, my players in the National Football League want to be on the field," he said. "We can only put 11 men out there at one time ... but I've got to tell you, they want to be there and if they're not on that field, they know everything that's happening. They're focused, they're cheering on their teammates, they're encouraging them, they're inspiring them to go and do the kinds of things that allow them to win that game ... When called upon to be the best at what it is you're doing, can we count on you?"

God counts on people to be His ambassador in their community, he said.

Serving others can be as simple as parking far away so others can park closer, letting others go ahead at the grocery store checkout line, or holding doors open for people, he said.

The prayer breakfast also included a greeting from Moses Lake Mayor Bill Ecret; prayers from Pastor Kent Copley, Moses Lake School District Superintendent Michelle Price, Grant County Commissioner Carolann Swartz, Serve Moses Lake Director Tim Cloyd and Pastor Deverett Butrick; Scripture readings by Stephanie Voigt of Moses Lake Christian Academy and Pastor Ronnie Williamson; posting of the colors by the Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff's Office; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Moses Lake Police Department Chief Dean Mitchell, and music from Moses Lake Christian Academy's Forte' choir.