Leaders to gather for prayer breakfast
In troubled times, leaders need a good dose of faith and prayers.
Both will be the focus of the 22nd annual Wheaton Leadership Prayer breakfast from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Abbington Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn.
Local professionals from the realms of education, government, business and religion will gather to honor and pray for local business and government leaders. The public is invited to attend.
"The breakfast is a symbol of our prayers everyday for our leaders," said Gwen Henry, a committee member who is helping to organize the breakfast.
The speaker will be Clinton Van Zandt, a 25-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and author of "Facing Down Evil" and "Protecting Our Children from Predators."
Van Zandt, who has been a guest on the "Oprah Winfrey" and "Dr. Phil" shows, will speak about evil in the world and how people deal with it.
His career includes the FBI's Hostage Negotiation Program, with high profile cases such as the showdown with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas; the Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh; and Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, in the 1990s.
Since retiring, Van Zandt has been called upon to provide insight and analysis when high-profile hostage situations arise.
His 2006 book, "Facing Down Evil," is a portrait of hostage negotiation that takes the reader inside the criminal mind, describes high stress hostage situations and the despair over a nonnegotiable situation.
Henry said Van Zandt was chosen as this year's speaker because he is an example of leadership and how it relates to faith.
"Clinton Van Zandt will explain how his job has not torn him away from his faith," Henry said.
The breakfast is aimed at Wheaton leaders but draws attendees from other communities every year. During the morning, Scripture passages will be read, prayers said and the mayor of Wheaton will speak.
Henry said the prayer breakfast will end promptly at 8:30 a.m.
"I hope that everyone who attends the breakfast leaves with the knowledge that, as a community, we care about our leaders and we support them by praying for them," Henry said.
Tickets are $15 per person, $225 for an entire table of 10 people. While the Abbington Banquets facility can seat 600 people, those who wish to attend should make their reservations as soon as possible by calling Lanette Vesper or T.J. Coppoth at (630) 665-4440.
If you go
What:The 22nd annual Wheaton Leadership Prayer Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Clinton Van Zandt, retired FBI agent and author
When:7 to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 7
Where:Abbington Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn
Cost:$15 per person, $225 for a table of 10
Call: (630) 665-4440