Men’s Prayer Breakfast meets each Wednesday morning, 6:45 a.m. to share breakfast, hymns, prayer, and a weekly devotional in our Christian Life Center.This is one of the few ecumenical Christian fellowships in the area. The breakfast is followed by a song fest, in turn followed by a speaker. It is open to the Community.
History
It seems to have begun in the fall of 1967. During this era, prayer breakfasts were held annually in Washington, D.C. with well-known ministers from different denominations bringing a message to our President, Senators, Congressmen and other government officials. It was well attended and was held in the ballroom of a fine hotel. This may be where Reverend Alfred Bixler, senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, got the idea for a prayer breakfast in the Clinton area.
Some of the earliest members of this group were: I. Mac Adair, James Addison, Rev. Alfred Bixler, Dr. Marshall Brown, Dr. Judson Davis, Powell Fraser, Bruce Galloway, Ansel Godfrey, Harry Nettles, Brooks Owens, Dr. Delmar Rhame, Joe Shay, Goyne Simpson, Dr. William Redd Turner, and Robert M. Vance.
In the beginning, the men cooked the breakfast under the tutelage of Mrs. Jessie Madden, consisting of eggs, bacon grits, biscuits or toast, orange juice and ice water. It was served on china plates with silver place settings, with the china being placed on the table the night before, and the men completing the table setting in the morning.
Meals were done family style. The eggs, grits and bacon were placed on the table in bowls and passed around. The cost was 50 cents.
As attendance increased, hymns were added and Joe Shay began to play the piano. Prayer concerns were mentioned and the men plus the two ministers gave devotionals. Bruce Galloway led the singing in those days, doing an excellent job. It would be followed by a reading of a passage of scripture by Rev. Bixler with his message pertaining to the selected scripture. On occasion, some of the lay members would do the devotionals. The meetings have become less formal since those early days, and members now enjoy more laughing and fellowship than was present then.
William Jacobs, III followed Bruce Galloway as the song leader. Charlie Wesson, J.B. Willis, and Tom Stallworth performed this duty also. Pianist duties were assumed by Charles "Chuck" Gaines, who manages to bring out the best in the members' singing. Devotionals are held by local ministers from the various churches in town, some of whom are retired. Their knowledge is a rich source of blessings.
The tradition has survived despite changes in breakfast caterers, and fluctuations in membership levels, until the present format which now consists of a continental breakfast has become the current standard.
The Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast is now in its 34th year. Attendance averages around 40, and members are always encouraging friends to attend. It is the fervent hope of the members that this tradition will continue for many years to come, and that those who follow will experience the same benefits of fellowship, concerns, hopes, and dreams.
