Submitted content
On Saturday, April 13, the Annual Grand River Leadership Prayer Breakfast was held at the Fisherville Lions Community Centre with more than 300 people in attendance. This was the twelfth year of the event, bringing together elected leaders from Haldimand County, the Six Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, as well as MP Diane Finley and MPP Toby Barrett.
Time was spent in prayer for these leaders, as well as in support of those who serve as police, firefighters and paramedics.
The speaker this year was Mr. Steve Fenton, Founder and President of Battlefield International Inc. in Cayuga. In quoting Steve’s own words, he considers himself an “imperfect Christian”! He shared his personal stories of how failures not only brought him to his knees, but how God, by His grace, used Steve’s brokenness and turned it into success. Steve chose his ‘life-text’ Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. He challenged everyone at the breakfast to have a “life-text” to live by. Entertainment was provided by 2009 Chevy Karaoke winner, Mr. Phil Botting and breakfast was served by the Fisherville Lions Club.
Chief Stacey R. LaForme referred to the breakfast as a “good way to bring different leaders together at a shared function where it’s not all about politics. It keeps us human.”
Mayor Ken Hewitt was quoted as saying: “I am always delighted to be a part the prayer breakfast. It affords us the opportunity to share the challenges and successes of local business in a unified way with our neighbours Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit.”
MPP Toby Barrett was also honoured to be guest yet again, and to join in prayer for wisdom, guidance and understanding.
Chief Ava Hill of Six Nations shared these words of appreciation, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the individuals who organize the Grand River Leadership Prayer Breakfast every year. I was so happy to be in attendance this year and found the Breakfast to be very well organized and well attended. I sincerely appreciate the kind words and prayers that were offered to all the leaders. It was very meaningful to me and gave me the inspiration to carry on with the work that I am doing. Thank you for including Six Nations in this annual event”.
MP Diane Finley commented, “It’s incredibly heartwarming to see so many people of all different backgrounds coming together to pray for our local leaders, at all levels of government, including federal, provincial municipal and aboriginal band leaders. The organizers of the Grand River Leadership Prayer Breakfast always do a fantastic job with this event. Whether it’s the delicious breakfast from the Fisherville Lions or the engaging speakers, like Steve Fenton. This is an amazing event and is a key part of building community and strengthening relationships in our communities.
