Tim Tebow shares message of hope, compassion at Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast
Two-time national champion, first-round NFL draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow delivered a riveting keynote address touching on faith, humanity and hope at the 2023 Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast.
Held May 4 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, approximately 2,000 attendees heard Tebow talk about how his experiences as an elite athlete gave him a platform to reach the masses, using his voice to become a spiritual influencer focused on humanitarian work.
Tebow’s appearance in Fort Myers coincided with The National Day of Prayer, an annual observance on the first Thursday of May when individuals join in unified prayer for continued blessings on the nation. The Fort Myers community has been honoring the National Day of Prayer since the Community Prayer Breakfast’s inception in 1988.
Tebow covered many topics during his 45-minute address: his upbringing, sports, faith and charity work. He advised audience members to stay focused on what really matters in life.
“I would lose perspective because I would get caught up in a game, caught up in winning, caught up in a championship, caught up in pursuing a goal, and it’s so easy to forget what ultimately really matters,” Tebow said. “Why is a day of prayer so important? Because it’s a reminder to us of what really matters, that we are invited, not just today, but every day in prayer to be a part of what God is doing and then to be connected to the source of life.”
Alexandra Alley, a Night to Shine prom queen from Fort Myers, had the honor of introducing Tebow. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine provides an unforgettable prom experience to people with special needs. Local pastors, musicians and patriotic community leaders rounded out the 90-minute program, which featured prayer, inspirational music and periods for reflection. Guests exchanged prayer cards to continue spreading blessings throughout the year.
“It was a beautiful morning to gather for prayer, self-reflection and perspective, and you couldn’t ask for a more awe-inspiring, spiritual setting than watching the sun rise over the outfield fence at JetBlue Park,” said Ron Inge, president of Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast, Inc. “Every year, the National Day of Prayer helps reset our focus on what truly matters in life – love and respect for one another.”
In addition to Inge, Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast, Inc. is led by board members John Noland, Carl Barraco and Gary Trippe.
Local businesses and organizations annually step in to support the Community Prayer Breakfast through sponsorships and donations. Supporters for the free 2023 event included AIM Engineering & Surveying, Inc.; Barraco and Associates, Inc.; B&I Contractors; Bill and Kim White; BUSEY BANK Wealth Management-Charles Idelson; Chris Tel Construction; Cogent Bank; Cypress Cove and Cypress at Home; Daniel R. & Anne M. Harper Foundation; David and Linda Lucas; Donna Sublett; Edison National Bank; First Horizon; Forrest and Vicki Banks; Gary and Gay Trippe; Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.; Jason’s Deli; Jeff and Suzy Seitz; John and Pam Noland; John E. and Aliese Price Foundation; Johnson Engineering; Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc.; LSI Companies; Morris Depew Associates, Inc.; Owen-Ames-Kimball; Palm Printing; Priority Marketing; Private Client Insurance Services, LLC; Quinton B. & Beverly H. McNew Foundation; 4KIDS SWFL; Ron and Sherry Inge; Shell Point Retirement Community; Steve and Kathy Shimp; Strayhorn, Persons-Mulicka & Fisher; Southwest Waste; and US Trust-Andrew Redding.
About the Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast
The Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast is held annually on the first Thursday of May in observance of the National Day of Prayer, a day when individuals join in unified prayer for continued blessings on the nation. Southwest Florida has been honoring the National Day of Prayer since the Community Prayer Breakfast’s inception in 1988. To learn more, visit CommunityPrayerBreakfast.com or call 239-744-7769.
