(Photo By Bobby Warren) Melanie Murphy, the reigning 2006 Miss Ohio, speaks with Steve Kern (left), associate pastor of spiritual growth at Grace Brethren Church, and Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller during Thursday’s 2007 National Day of Prayer breakfast at Greenbriar Conference & Party Centre in Wooster.
The Wooster (OH) Daily Record carries an article today on Day of Prayer observations. Here is an excerpt–the entire article may be read at http://www.the-daily-record.com:80/news/article/1951952
Steve Kern, associate pastor of spiritual growth at Grace Brethren Church, said he was surprised by the turnout. About 220 tickets were sold, and Kern said the organizing group received word even more planned to attend. Trying to accommodate everyone was a little stressful, he said.
Roughly 170 attended the 2006 National Day of Prayer event in Wooster, and Kern said he believes the growth of this year’s breakfast can be attributed to several factors, including God’s grace, the event earning a little bit of a reputation in the community and an increased value of prayer in the churches.
Also, the churches were able to set aside denominational differences to unite and pray together as one body, Kern said.
Among the area ministers participating in the event at Greenbriar were Dean Hammond of Parkview Church of Christ; Mark Ryder from Evangel Assembly of God; Harlene Steiner of Grace Brethren Church; Tom Shaw from Church of the Cross United Methodist Church; Ron Frizzell of Church of the Nazarene; and Brent Durham from Church of the Saviour. In all, about 40 ministers from around the area attended the prayer breakfast.
Also attending was Melanie Murphy, the reigning Miss Ohio 2006. She said she was excited at the opportunity to attend the event. (An exclusive video of Murphy speaking about her experience as Miss Ohio and her faith is posted on The Daily Record’s Web site, www.the-daily-record.com.)
