2011 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER EVENTS
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 - First Thursday of May

The 2011 Madera National Day of Prayer events
were generously being sponsored by...

 ALLIED WASTE SERVICES OF FRESNO,
BLAIR CHURCH & FLYNN CONSULTING ENGINEERS, CEDAR CREEK SENIOR LIVING, CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK, FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH of MADERA,
MADERA KIWANIS CLUB, PISTORESI AMBULANCE SERVICES

Giersch & Associates, Fourth Street Church of God, Madera District Fair,
Thomasson Pest Control, Valley West Christian Center

Braga Organic Farms, Charles L. Lutz, D.D.S., Doors of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center,
Fresno/Madera Youth for Christ, Ernie & Susie LiCalsi, Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Bobby & Patty Noblett,
Sherman Thomas Charter School, The WORD Salon:  Christian Books, Bibles & Gifts

...co-hosted by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce and the Madera Ministerial Association

Breakfast was prepared by Madera Sunrise Rotary  

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY...

ABOUT THE 2011 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER EVENTS... MAY 5TH 

THE MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

Keynote speaker Brad Bell, Directional Leader, The Well Community Church, Fresno CA
Special Guest - Robert Poythress, Mayor - City of Madera

The Madera Chamber of Commerce and the Madera Ministerial Association hosted the 11th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Hatfield Hall, Madera District Fairgrounds located at 1850 West Cleveland Avenue, Madera.  The Keynote Speaker was Brad Bell, Directional Leader, The Well Community Church with Special Guest, Robert Poythress, Mayor - City of Madera; the event began at 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.  Sponsorships were available for this event.   Ticket prices were $12.50 per person and were not available at the door.  Contact the Madera Chamber of Commerce Office, 120 North E Street in Madera or phone (559) 673-3563 for more information, to participate in the planning, sponsorships, or tickets for 2012 event. 

The event opened with the Madera Veterans of Foreign War Post 1981 posting the colors and leading the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The breakfast featured both spiritual and patriotic music by Madera's own 'Change of Heart' band.  Representatives from branches of our U.S. Armed Forces were also recognized and honored for their service to our nation.  The focus of this year’s event was the Madera Ministerial Association’s “Got Hope” campaign. 

CLICK HERE for information regarding the Got Hope? Campaign brought to you by local Madera Churches

Special Thanks to the following for helping with the 2011 Mayor's Prayer Breakfast... Change of Heart, Madera Sunrise Rotary, Madera Rescue Mission, Madera County Boot Camp, Representatives from our U.S. Armed Forces, Madera Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1981 and representatives from the Madera Ministerial Association.

ABOUT THE 2011 KEYNOTE SPEAKER...
Brad Bell, Directional Leader, The Well Community Church

A native of Fresno, CA, Brad Bell attended CSU Fresno as a star athlete. The former defensive lineman says, “I’m not a huge fan of institutionalized religion.” He lived the stereotypical college life until 1993 when he started living for Jesus. Today he says, “I think Christianity is more a revolution of the heart” - contrary to the institutionalized religion he dislikes.

Through scandalous grace, Bell’s heart was revolutionized! After completing his undergraduate degree in Heath Science in May 1995 from CSU Fresno he moved to Denton, Texas to participate in a discipleship program. It was a good move for Bell who met his wife, Jen, in Denton. He returned to his hometown of Fresno, CA with his bride after receiving a M.A in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in May 1999.

Since Bell’s decision to follow Jesus he has displayed amazing faith! So much faith, in fact, that he was crazy enough to quit his job to start a church with no financial support, no staff, and no building! He and his wife, Jen, started The Well Community Church in 2002 which has since grown into a multi-site church with campuses and core groups across the central valley of California.

THE MAYOR'S SENIOR CELEBRATION was held from 2:00 to 3:30 at the VFW Hall located at 2026 North Granada Drive in Madera.  This event included Guest Speaker Carles Beckett, Special Guest Robert Poythress, Mayor - City of Madera and musical entertainment by Wayne Boren, Southern Country Gospel Singer and Larry Blackburn & Jerry Reynolds, Foot Stompin’ Gospel.  On behalf of the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Sponsors, tickets for this event were COMPLIMENTARY for our guests ages 55 and older (limited to 200 seats); tickets were also available for all other guests for $2.00 per ticket and were available at the Madera Chamber of Commerce, 120 North E Street, Madera. 

CHURCH OF MADERA PRAYER GATHERING

HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

The National Day of Prayer is Significant

Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, National Day of Prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the President signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

Why does the Chamber get involved in this activity?

100+ YEARS OF PAST MAYORS, a complete list of the City of Madera's Past Mayors

CENTENNIAL MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST 2007

In 2007, in honor of celebrating our City's Centennial, a special invitation was extended to all Past Mayors, or family representatives to attend this event. Twenty-two mayors or representative family members were in attendance. They were publicly honored and received a Crystal Globe recognizing their years of public service by the City of Madera. The Chamber is still searching for the following Past Mayors or family representatives: J.G. Roberts, L.A. Danielson, E.M. Saunders, Alex S. Robertson, Durward R. Stephenson and James D. Nolan. Please contact Debi Bray at the Chamber office (559) 673-3563 if you have any information.

The Madera Chamber of Commerce is proud to provide the 2007 commemorative MAYOR'S CENTURY YEARBOOK to honor those civic leaders that have served our City.