Words of faith and kindness were exchanged at the 11th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Westerner Park Tuesday morning.
Approximately 500 people were in attendance from areas across Central Alberta including mayors, council members, RCMP members, church groups and residents.
The breakfast serves as an opportunity for those of faith to express their thanks to community leaders through prayers and words of blessings, and was host to guest speaker Mike Love, of Extreme Dream Ministries.
“I loved coming back because for me, this very venue was where I started to follow my dream. I felt an extremely positive atmosphere in the room,” said Love, after speaking at the breakfast.
Love is the executive and founder of Extreme Dream Ministries. He said he was excited to return to the birthplace of his ideas for the YC missions, which brings youths into a spiritual community.
His speech was heavy with imagery and guidance to push young people to follow their passions.
Love has actively has worked to get youths involved in community churches and to explore the notion of religion.
“I spoke about dreaming for a generation, and how we, as leaders we are all responsible for the dreams of the young people. Civil, political, religious leaders are all responsible,” said Love. “I wanted to remind about the importance of having vision. Especially for youths – get a hunger to be a leader.”
Love said his return to the Westerner Grounds as the guest speaker for the event was a privilege.
Following his presentation, several speakers including Mayor Sean McIntyre of Sylvan Lake and Mayor Jim Wood of Red Deer County, rose to offer a prayer to specific groups of people.
The many topics of the prayers included social issues, First Nations peoples, marriages, family matters, business communities, councils and mayors and churches and their leadership, among others.
Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer was last to speak.
“I’m just very grateful for the sponsors and supporters who put this event on to support the leadership of our council and our administration. They are there for us in terms of the various initiatives and support that we need to help move our community forward,” she said
“I’m so honoured to be the mayor of the great City of Red Deer. It’s such a privilege to be able to share this with Mayor Jim Wood of Red Deer County.”
“It’s really a great day in Red Deer, and I’m so thankful for each and every individual in attendance, for what they mean to me both personally and professionally.”
reporter@reddeerexpress.com
