Fellowship Hall

Oakville inspired at prayer breakfast

A faithful tradition of uniting in prayer continued in Oakville on December 2 when nearly 600 people from various Christian churches gathered for the 26th annual Oakville Prayer Breakfast.

Oakville inspired at annual prayer breakfast

A faithful tradition of uniting in prayer continued in Oakville on December 2 when nearly 600 people from various Christian churches gathered for the 26th annual Oakville Prayer Breakfast.

This year’s guest speaker, Dalton Philips, the chief operating officer for Loblaw Companies Ltd., shared his life and faith journey in a way that both humorous and inspiring.

Dalton Philips

“It is hard being a Christian in the workplace, and the more senior you become the more difficult it can be,” he said.  “If you are dealing with hard decisions, especially those that may involve layoffs, or cut-backs or discipline, and you find that those decisions are becoming too easy, then you have a problem.  I pray for the Lord’s protection for the decisions I have to make.”

He said that while the corporate boardroom and the church may seem to be total opposites, there are many lessons they can learn from each other.  “Good church can look like good corporate in the sense that both are all about people, accountability, and creating an environment of respect. Church leaders can learn from the corporate world, just as businesses can learn from the church’s example of empathy.”

He closed by challenging the Christian community in Oakville to continue to show their love and compassion for those in need, and to make a great community an even better place for all.

Sharon Roebellen, director of communications and admissions at King’s Christian Collegiate, led the prayer for leadership by asking for God’s blessing and wisdom for all those serving in government, fire and police services, the armed forces and pastors.

“We pray that our leaders may wholeheartedly pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, and help them to discern the truth and to know Your ways.”

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton told the crowd “all of us in a position of leadership are grateful for the support that your prayers bring to us,” she prayed.

The Oakville Prayer Breakfast takes place each year on the first Wednesday of December. Information can be found at www.oakvilleprayerbreakfast.com.   ■