A Successful 2024 Prayer Breakfast: Thank You!
The 2024 Prayer Breakfast was a resounding success! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported this meaningful event. Thanks to your generous contributions through sponsorships and ticket sales, we raised over $30,000 for the YMCA of Columbia’s Annual Campaign.
This vital campaign provides financial assistance to individuals and families in our community who need it most, ensuring access to the YMCA’s valuable programs and services.
A Gathering of Faith and Community
The Prayer Breakfast brought together a diverse group of business, community, and faith leaders for a morning of inspiration and fellowship. We were honored to have:
- Judi Gatson, WIS-TV Evening Anchor, as our welcoming emcee.
- Pastor Wes Church of First Baptist Church delivering the invocation.
- James Ballew and Michelle James beautifully performing the opening and closing hymns: “How Great Thou Art” and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
- Jim Vietti, CEO of the YMCA of Columbia, sharing a message from the organization.
- Guest Speaker Pastor Jeff Shipman of Crossroads Church offering words of wisdom and encouragement.
- Prayer Leaders Pastor Alden Ellis, NewSpring Church, Pastor Casey Williams, North Trenholm Baptist Church, and Pastor German Wright, Daily Living Ministries Church, leading powerful prayers.
- Bishop Eric Freeman of The Meeting Place Church delivering the benediction.
A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors who made this event possible:
- Faith Level: Synovus
- Respect Level: Samuels Reynolds Law Firm, The Hobbs Group, McGriff, HomeBrands, MUSC Health, Burr Forman, LLP, AgFirst, First Fruits Foundation
- Honesty Level: Ace Hardware, Ameris Bank, The Cason Group, Cason Development Group, First Citizens Bank, Founders Federal Credit Union, Grace Outdoors, M.B. Kahn Construction, McCrory Construction Group, Mickey Layden, SSOE Group, Virginia & Henry McMaster
- Caring Level: Bill & Ann Price, Brabham Griffin Insurance, Bob Boone, Clint Shealy, Dominion Energy, Gray Manufacturing, Inc., Hampton Jordan, Jim & Denise Vietti, Lee & William Rambo, Palmetto Mortgage Group, South State Bank, Stacey McPhail, Thomas Media Corp, Todd Realty Partners, Vance Bettis
A Message of Hope
WIS-TV Anchor Judi Gatson concluded the event with a poignant poem:
“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive & everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. My prayer is that you always have enough to know God’s grace is sufficient for all things.” – Author Unknown
Let us strive to live out the message of hope and unity that resonated throughout the Prayer Breakfast, and work together to build a stronger and more compassionate community for all.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Prayer Breakfast!
It’s never too late to donate to our Annual Campaign. Learn how you can help year-round. Give Today!
