We take a pleasant weekend break from energy issues to pause and reflect on more eternal issues….
28th Annual Alaska Governors Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Report by
Dave Harbour
This morning, Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo-R) hosted the 28th Annual Alaska Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, featuring "Mercy Ships" 
creator, Don Stephens (NGP Photo-L).
Stevens recalled meeting Mother Theresa when he was 32 years old. Her poignant questions that day set him on a new course for his life. "She asked three questions," he said, "which caused me to think seriously of my dream to build a hospital ship."
- Why were you born? That first question caused him to think of his hospital ship idea as a future reality rather than notes on a piece of paper, he said.
- Where is the pain in your life? When he spoke of the pain of a special needs child (i.e. John Paul Stephens), the great lady observed that often pain is used to prepare us for our destiny. She said that Don’s son, John Paul, would give eyes, hearing, touch, and other senses to countless suffering people through his Dad’s work.
- What are you doing about it? He then told the audience of his trials to make the hospital ship into reality as others tried to discourage him by imagining all the failures that could come from attempting and failing at such a big venture: buying a ship, maintaining it, staffing it, managing it. Then Stephens (looking much like everyone’s beloved grandfather), said, "I’ve met a lot of people who’ve had dreams and done nothing." The implicit message to each of us was, "What great dreams have, about which we are doing nothing."
Parnell concluded the morning event, noting that, "…ships of mercy are a reflection of God’s love for us." He spoke of his personal blessing to be governor for those of, "…every faith and no faith", 
vowing to, "continue serving Alaskans out of love for God."
Master of Ceremonies, Reverend Kent Redfern (NGP Photo) of Muldoon Community Assembly, said, "I love having a governor who is not afraid to express his faith."
Earlier, the program began with UAA Student Jonathon Taylor’s musical prelude followed by Prayer Breakfast President Nick Pepperworth. A United States Air Force Honor Guard posted the colors. Eagle Scout Troop 144 provided Luke Cvancara to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States while Sarah Cvancara (Miss Anchorage 2013, NGP Photo) flawlessly lead the audience in singing the National Anthem and Alaska Flag Song. Chaplain James Duncan provided an invocation before the audience began breakfast.
In the course of the program, Reverend Ellen Johnson-Price (First Presbyterian Church) presented Deuteronomy 4:29-31, followed by Michael Taylor of Anchorage Grace Church with Romans 12:1-2, and U.S. Army Command Chaplain (Col) Richard Quinn, who provided a moving ‘Prayer for Leadership.’
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Below, we provide more event photos.
Note: Sponsors of the event included Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc., Udelhoven Oilfield System Services Inc., KC Corporation, Alaska Air Balance, Alaska Employee Benefit Specialists, Alaska Financial Company, Alaska Industrial Insulation & Fireproofing, Anchorage Chrysler Dodge, Aurora Well Service, LLC, ChangePoint, ConocoPhillips, Cornerstone Construction, Denali Fuel & HVAC, Inc., General Mechanical, Dorothea Lovejoy, Art Mathias State Farm Insurance, Northern Air Cargo, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., All Saints Episcopal Church, Anchorage Christian School Students, Artique, Ltd., Brena, Bell & Clarkson, P.C., Color Art Printing, Dianne’s Restaurant & Catering, Generation of Destiny, Nick & Lauretta Pepperworth, TRF Management Corporation. The Breakfast Board of Directors include Nick Pepperworth, Terry Burge, Ed Thielsn, Carolyn Leman, Dave Bronson, Kevin Clarkson, Heath Day, Jim Duncan, Terry Hull, Teresa Kress, Michael Paulsen, Jenni Ragland, John Roberts, Colonel Richard Quinn, Rachel Blysma
Event Photos: (Coming soon!)
Representative Lance Pruitt and Governor Sean Parnell
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