The Altus Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance are planning to host the second annual Altus Community Prayer Breakfast in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 6. The Breakfast will be held at the Activities Center of the First United Methodist Church of Altus, doors opening at 6 a.m., serving begins at 6:15 a.m. Local businesses, commercial enterprises, churches, governmental agencies and schools have received invitations to attend. Featured speaker will be the Honorable Richard Darby, District 3 Judge for Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa and Tillman Counties.

The Honorable Richard Darby graduated from Duke High School and Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Richard then graduated from the University of Oklahoma school of Law in Norman, Oklahoma in 1984 with a Juris Doctor Degree. Judge Darby practiced law from 1984 to 1987; then became the Special District Judge in Jackson County from 1987 to 1990. He then served as Associate District Judge in Jackson County from 1991 until 1994. He has been elected District Judge for District Three from 1995 to present. Richard is married to Dana Darby and will soon celebrate 28 years together. Dana has a Ph.D in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum and is currently Superintendent of Altus Christian Academy in Altus. They have two sons Benjamin age 21 and Jonathan age 12. The family are members of First Baptist Church in Altus, Oklahoma where Richard serves as a Sunday School Teacher and a Deacon of the church. Richard’s interests include his family and pets; hunting; church activities and singing in a Southern Gospel Quartet .

Those community businesses, commercial, and institutional partners who would like to be a part of the prayer breakfast are encouraged to become a “Sponsor” by purchasing a table of eight for $100.00. Individual tickets are also on sale for $10.00 from the Altus Chamber at 301 West Commerce Street.

Jim Brown, Pastor of First Christian Church and President of the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance said “It is our sincere hope that this Prayer Breakfast will bring together community leaders, spiritual leaders and business and commercial leaders in Altus. Perhaps we can learn together what might just happen when we stop to pray as one group for our community and its needs. The power of prayer can never be underestimated.”

Last year over 240 people attended the event. We anticipate our crowd will be even larger this year so get your tickets early.

Following the breakfast at noon the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance will hold a National Day of Prayer service in the large court room in the Jackson County Courthouse. The public is invited to attend.

For more information contact the Altus Chamber of Commerce at 482-0210 or Jim Brown at 482-3815.