MISSION STATEMENT
The Monterey Prayer Breakfast is a community prayer event of the Oswald Chambers Foundation, a (501(c)(3) Non-Profit Prayer Initiative. We host community prayer events on the Monterey Peninsula and invite Christians of all denominations to join together by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to:
SEEK - As one voice we call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of our nation and local communities
II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.
Matt 7: 7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
STAND - We stand on the Bible as the Word of God (John 1) and God’s promises of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:10 We stand firm in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and “continue steadfastly in prayer being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2).
SERVE - We actively partner with other ministries, including but not limited to, Love Our Central Coast, to support and build up neighborhoods, schools, and families in Monterey County
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine among the people so that they observe your good works and give glory to your Heavenly Father.
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
HISTORY
The catalyst for a Foundation was a relationship focused ministry on the Monterey Peninsula modeled after the National Prayer Breakfast. The Young Life Area Director in the mid-70’s, Jim Greene felt God nudging him to step away from Young Life, and focus on developing a prayer breakfast ministry on the Monterey Peninsula.
Actually, the core of the ministry was small groups, mostly men coming together to share their lives, with Jesus at the center of the room.
The primary purpose of the annual prayer breakfast was to bring the community together for focused prayer. The keynote was always given by a Christian, with the hope that seeds would be planted for followers of Jesus to go deeper in their faith, and follow up with their guests who might not yet have made the decision to accept Jesus into their lives. An opportunity was given for attendees to express interest in participating in a small group.
Monterey Prayer Breakfast is also supported by CBMC (Christian Business Men's
Connection) who provided an original mailing list for our events.
FOUNDATION NAME
The Oswald Chambers Foundation
was chosen as the name because so many in the leadership of the National Prayer Breakfast (including Richard Halverson, former Senior Pastor of 4th Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and Chaplain of the US Senate from 1981-1995), as well as the leadership of the Monterey Prayer Breakfast, were committed to the daily devotional “My Utmost For His Highest”, in addition to other writings by Oswald Chambers. Yes, reading “My Utmost For His Highest” never gets old as Chambers had a way of taking verses from God’s word, and stimulating your thinking on the issues of life on fallen planet earth, with the bottom line, “keep your eyes on Jesus”.
Merilida Aguilar
In 2021 we lost a beloved member of our board to complications from Covid. Merilida was true prayer warrior, mother, business woman, and loved by all who knew her. She served on the board of the Monterey Prayer Breakfast more than 10 years. She brought wisdom from her relationship with Jesus Christ and her prayers during our meetings were truly from His Spirit.
The verse on her memorial card is Phil. 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
