CAPE PASTOR INVITED TO D.C. PRAYER BREAKFAST

The invitation wasn't something the Rev. Gary Brothers, senior pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Cape Girardeau, had expected.

Brothers was asked to attend the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday in Washington, D.C. He will be one of several thousand ministers and religious leaders who will gather for the event sponsored by congressional leaders. President George W. Bush is expected to attend.

"It was not something that I pursued," Brothers said. "They just called and asked if I'd like to go."

Past speakers have included Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. No speaker has been announced for this year's event.

Brothers said the breakfast should be both informational and inspirational. "It will be a powerful time of prayer," he said. It is exciting to know that everyone will be "able to pray in a focused direction with leaders from across the United States and Washington," he said.

Direction comes from leadership, Brothers said.

People learned firsthand in the last election that the nation is divided, said Brothers. "People who watch those things know it, but now everybody on the street knows it. In order to unite, we need clearly defined, strong leadership."

The president's plan to help fund faith-based community programs likely will be a topic during some of the meetings Brothers will attend. He also plans to meet with congressional leaders and Missouri delegates to Congress.

"The focus is on empowering people more than government," Brothers said.

"Hopefully I will get a message of direction and challenge for the community to think not only locally but nationally," he said. "In our strategic location we can have a national and local impact as we pray and function as grass-roots people."