Leaders join to pray during annual event
Dale Dukes, former Sussex County Council president, said it's more vital to pray for our leaders today than it was when the first Sussex County Prayer Breakfast took place in 1987.
The 36th annual breakfast was organized by the late Sussex County Councilman Oliver Hill to honor and pray for elected officials in the county.
Featured speaker, the Rev. Anthony Wallace, who started Crossroad Christian Church in Dover in his living room in July 1995, spoke about the importance of taking a leadership role. “Everyone in this room is a leader. The greatest untapped talent source is leadership,” he said.
Wallace, who was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during Operation Desert Storm, is known as the “pastor's pastor” for his dedication to his growing church and community. His church now attracts 1,000 people each week and offers a variety of ministries.
He and his wife of 35 years, Margo, worked together in Sussex County chicken factories before he enlisted in the Army; it was a decision that changed his life. After 15 years, he said God called him back to Dover to feed his people.
Wallace said many people are not aware of the leadership role they are supposed to take on. “You need to check with the manufacturer and get in touch with your maker,” he said. “God wants us to untap the leadership inside all of us.”
He told those assembled to stop looking for leaders. “The leader is you; you are called to make a difference. It's not too late, and you are not too old,” he said.
T.J. Magee, a 2013 Delmarva Christian High School graduate, sang the National Anthem as well as other musical selections. The Rev. Rick Betts of Crossroad Community Church in Georgetown, host of the event, offered the opening prayer; the Rev. Barry Dukes of Messiah's Vineyard Church in Laurel led the prayer for leaders; and the Rev. Tim Banks of Living Life Fellowship said the closing prayer.
Dukes was chairman of the event; Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent led the Pledge of Allegiance; and County Administrator Todd Lawson introduced officials in the audience.
