Former radio broadcaster and County Commissioner Dan Deming addresses the National Day of Prayer Breakfast held Thursday morning at Memorial Hall CREDIT RICHARD SHANK
By Richard Shank
As Hutchinson debates the fate of Memorial Hall, 80 Hutchonians met there Thursday morning for Hutchinson’s annual Prayer Breakfast, as part of the National Day of Prayer.
Tom Elliott, President of Elliott Mortuary, a long-time sponsor of the Prayer Breakfast, welcomed those in attendance and recognized the event’s co-sponsor, Paul Waggoner.
Former Mayor and City Council Member Greg Fast, in brief remarks, tied prayer to government decision-making. “Government leaders need all the prayers they can get, including what we do with this building (Memorial Hall),” Fast said.
Dan Deming, who has worn many hats during multiple careers spanning more than five decades, including the past seven years with the Hutchinson Police Department, spoke for the law enforcement community and thanked those in attendance for their prayers.
“The police department is very grateful for your prayers,” Deming told the audience.
Also, Deming spoke of the Prayer Breakfast, which originated at the Downtown Sampler Restaurant before moving to the Cosmosphere and finally to Memorial Hall.
According to Deming, the nation has a long history of seeking divine guidance.
“In 1775, the Continental Congress called the nation to prayer in the early days of the Revolutionary War,” Deming said. “And, in 1862, during the early days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln summoned the nation to pray in the early days of the Civil War.”
Deming went on to say that in 1952 President Harry Truman signed legislation designating a National Day of Prayer. He concluded by pointing out that all prayers, whether they be verbal or silent, are beneficial.
Included in the 60-minute program were brief presentations from individual speakers representing a cross-section of topics from business to schools, and the nation.
Reverend Matt Stafford, pastor of the First Congregational Church, gazed out across Memorial Hall and said the building has great memories for him and his family.
“My grandparents came to the Lord at Memorial Hall during a sermon given by Billy Sunday, a former baseball player,” he said.
Sunday, a former Major League player with the Chicago White Stockings, is reputed to have delivered more than 20,000 sermons in his lifetime, including one at Memorial Hall in Hutchinson.
Stafford had special words for the men and women who serve in the nation’s armed forces and urged the audience to pray for the families of service people and military chaplains.
Representing the business sector, First National Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Loan Officer Darrel Miller provided a historical perspective on the early days of America’s history and how religious fervor played a central role in our nation’s success.
Miller told the story of how, in 1831, national leaders in France were in awe of all the good things happening across the Atlantic Ocean in America, which was then barely 40 years old as a democratic nation. The French were fascinated by the nation’s economic boom, including everything from factories to farms.
As Miller told the story, French leaders dispatched a delegation of French citizens, including Alexis de Tocqueville, to America, a nation of only 24 states, to determine the root of this unparalleled success.
“The French visitors traveled across America by horseback, visiting factories, farms and even prisons,” Miller said. “Even then, they weren’t certain why the country was in such a boom.”
“Then, they visited the churches and found the answer,” Miller continued. “America is great because it is good. When it (America) stops being good, it will stop being great. Events like this give us hope.”
Miller gave high praise to businesses that are making a profit and giving back to the community.
“The Schrock family, which owns Woodwork Manufacturing, is a fine example of being this type of company. Recently, the Schrocks provided funding for a new daycare center at Central Christian School, which will be dedicated Friday,’ Miller said. “This new center will serve Central Christian for many decades to come.”
A phrase printed in the front of the event program states the mission of this yearly event: “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled.”
Walking out of the breakfast, an attendee called the prayer breakfast an “uplifting experience,” and that it was.
Ivan Huston / May 2, 2025
I am always grateful to my friend Dan Deming for his articles regarding our fair city. When he sees a problem or a potential problem he goes for it. He’s also my “go to person”. Thanks Dan
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