Ashland Community Prayer Breakfast is May 2; theme is Lift Up the Word, Light up the World

Ashland Times-Gazette
·2 min read

Ashland University’s Convocation Center will host the 2024 Ashland Community Prayer Breakfast 6:30 a.m.-7:59 a.m. May 2.

Chairman John Bouquet, senior pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, is in his 30th year leading the Prayer Breakfast Committee for the Ashland County Ministerial Association.

“One, it brings our community together − the civic leaders, our business partners and our leaders in education, medical, law enforcement, social services and our spiritual community,” Bouquet said. “Two, it is a general encouragement to everyone to pause to pray. It does not matter if one is a trustee of a small village or the Mayor of Ashland. And three, I watch our ministerial community put aside our differences and distinctions to focus on the Gospel and a single mindedness for the spiritual good of our leaders.”

Bouquet said the number of people expected to attend is 600-700.

He stressed anyone with an interest is welcome to attend and the event has room for everyone.

Artur Pawlowski
Artur Pawlowski

“You can be a novice in faith or a seasoned veteran and the Prayer Breakfast will bless you,” he said.

Guest speaker will be Pastor Artur Pawlowski. Bouquet said Pawlowski was speaking to state Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) a few months ago and Miller shared the story of the Prayer Breakfast with him. After a phone call with both and a discussion on the purpose of the Prayer Breakfast and how Pawlowski’s story would fit the event, the morning was penciled in.

“Free speech and freedom to worship are sacred values to our way of life,” Bouquet said. “Those freedoms were taken away from Artur during the Canadian COVID lockdown. Once we take freedom for granted, one could easily lose it.”

Bouquet said there are over 70 sponsors and a host of church leaders who make the morning possible.

This year’s theme isLift Up the Word ... Light up the World." Information is posted at www.ashlandcma.org.

“Our pastors and spiritual ministry leaders genuinely serve the spiritual concerns of the Ashland County population,” Bouquet said. “It is rewarding.”

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Prayer Breakfast is May 2 with speaker Artur Pawlowski