Battle Creek's Tauren Wells to bring 'Joy' to annual Community Prayer Breakfast
There is expected to be joy in the morning at this year's Prayer Breakfast as one of Battle Creek's most decorated recording artists Tauren Wells will be the featured speaker.
With the theme of 'Joy in the Morning', the title of his latest hit, Wells will serve as the keynote speaker at the 2023 Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for May 9 at Kellogg Arena in downtown Battle Creek.
The Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast mission statement is to unite the community for prayer and inspiration as an expression of common faith. The 41st Community Prayer Breakfast planners hope attendees will discover joy through its music, prayers and inspirational speakers.
“To pray as one community and seek the hope, guidance and wisdom of the Lord is one of the most humbling experiences a community can share,” said Calhoun County Sheriff Steve Hinkley, who is co-chairing this year’s event with his wife, Kimberly.
Wells is a 2004 graduate of Battle Creek Central, who is a platinum-selling Contemporary Christian music artist. The acclaimed singer and songwriter has earned 10 Grammy nominations and won six Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Wells' most recent hit 'Joy in the Morning' has received more than 14 million global streams. Wells, who lives in Texas currently, made it back to his home state recently as the featured National Anthem singer at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game.
Wells is expected to sing some of his popular Christian hits at the Prayer Breakfast, which may include 'Love is Action,' 'Hills and Valleys,' and 'Joy in the Morning.'
The theme of 'Joy in the Morning' and the idea to bring Wells back to Battle Creek for the event came from his mother Joanie Bowers, who works at the sheriff's office.
“Tauren Wells is a talented singer who loves the Lord,” said Kimberly Hinkley. “When he released 'Joy in the Morning,' it thrilled my heart to hear one of my favorite bible verses come to life in a song. Now is the time for joy, because each of us has faced uncertainties and challenges over the last three years.”
Modeled after the National Prayer Breakfast — with a local focus — the Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast has consistently drawn nearly 1,000 participants, including several hundred youth who attend free, thanks to generous donors.
Tickets for the event are $15 and may be purchased at the Battle Creek Community Foundation or online at www.bcprayerbreakfast.org.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek's Tauren Wells to bring 'Joy' to annual Prayer Breakfast
