Staff and students of Westfield Washington Schools will be lifted in prayer during the inaugural prayer breakfast scheduled from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at Indiana Mills and Manufacturing Inc., 18881 N. East St.
Rob and Ruth Griepentrog launched the event after they saw a similar one for Sheridan schools. The Griepentrogs are the founders of OnSite International, a faith-based prayer ministry.
“We’ve gone (to the Sheridan event) a number of times and wondered, ‘Why doesn’t Westfield have something like this?” Rob said. “I see teachers and administrators so encouraged when the community comes around them to pray. Nobody’s done anything or tried anything like that here, so I thought, ‘Let’s get something started.’”
The first prayer breakfast will focus solely on the schools, but Rob said in the future he and Ruth may host breakfasts for first responders. The Griepentrogs chose schools to focus on first because of WWS’s role in the community.
“The schools are so central in our community and so many families are affected,” Rob said. “We want to encourage them and those that want to participate. We want to encourage and pray for them and bring the city together around the schools.”
The event is free and open to the public. Breakfast will be provided. Rob said various city officials will speak.
The Westfield Lions Club, the Westfield Kiwanis Club and various churches have volunteered to help at the event.
“It’s a good way to show support for our schools, show people they care,” Ruth said. “It’s for students and staff. They both need to know they’re supported.”
The goal is to have 200 people attend.
“So often kids are valued in what they do or what they don’t do, and we want this to be something that students come to and don’t have to feel like they have to perform,” Rob said. “In schools, they perform in athletics, theater, music. This is just a time for the community to say, ‘We appreciate you for who you are, and we support you, and we care for you.’”
Although the prayer event is free, registration is required for a head count. The Griepentrogs are members of Lifepointe Church in Westfield.
For more, or to register, visit westfieldprays.com.
