POINT CLEAR, Ala.—The Eastern Shore’s neighbors in northern Alabama and the American troops serving overseas were on the thoughts and minds of those of the Eastern Shore who gathered last Thursday morning to join together in prayer.

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce held its 27th annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in Point Clear with a ballroom full of community and business leaders who had gathered to share breakfast and hear from Mayor Tim Kant of Fairhope, Mayor Fred Small of Daphne, Mayor Joseph Bonner of Spanish Fort and former Alabama football player and philanthropist John Croyle.

Bonner said the breakfast was an opportunity to reflect on the good fortune of this area and pray for those who needed it the most.

“I do think that it is important that we think about the folks up in north Alabama. They need all of our help, all of our prayers. It is a lot they have to deal with and God has got very big shoulders,” Bonner said. Tornadoes devastated several areas including Tuscaloosa two weeks ago.

Kant also spoke about the needs of tornado victims and what this area could do.

“I  am proud to say our own electric department has sent a crew up putting their utilities back to work. We were one of the first crews on site to put power back up. So, as we meet this morning, and we pray, let’s pray for the things that we do have. I know it is easy to criticize, but that is immaterial when you look at that beautiful flag, and the beautiful bay we have and the flowers … Let us pray this morning that we have an opportunity this morning,” Kant said.

Small said prayers were needed for those in the northern part of the state, but those on the Eastern Shore should also be thankful.

“The people here are so unique as we have all of the pillar organizations and groups now who work diligently to get supplies to those in need up north. We sent numerous people and items up there to help them. Today, we will be praying for them and for their success in bringing their cities back together, as we know that we have done before from some of the events we had here,” Small said. Daphne temporarily adopted, as it states, Eclectic, Ala., a city with ties to City Councilman Derek Boulware and a firefighter here. The city last week began shipping supplies to the city.

During the breakfast, Kant expressed gratitue for the U.S. armed forces.

“I couldn’t help but realize, seeing that huge American flag flying out of the pier (in Fairhope) and watching a child flying his kite, we all are blessed to live here on the Eastern Shore. It really brings home what we are about. When you think about the American flag, you think about those who are sacrificing and working hard to make sure we are safe in this world. To the 1165th unit that is over there in Afghanistan currently, we all owe them gratitude,” Kant said.

Bonner also recalled simple words from a former councilmember that he felt were pertinent.

“One of the first things I did today when I got up was I thought about Mr. Joe Thomas, our 89-year-old council member who died and, I thought about a statement that he always said in prayers at the city council meetings. The sentence always came out the same way and in simple words, he said, ‘Thank you, Lord, for loving us.’ When you have an 89-year-old man who lived life to the fullest except for the last 30 days of his life … those words go a long way with me. I enjoyed them when he spoke them; they were very simple just like the man he was,” Bonner said.

Helping children

Croyle, former star defensive end for Alabama and the founder and executive director of Big Oak Ranch, was the keynote speaker at the breakfast.

Big Oak Ranch includes three ministries, which include a boys ranch in Gadsden, a girls ranch in Springville and a Christian school in Rainbow City, which provides homes and educations for more than 1,800 needy children since opened in 1974.

“For 36 years, my wife and I have had the chance to raise 1,800 children and I think we have got the general idea. I paid for five weddings last year and next year I will have 24 kids in college. I have had my personal car stolen about 29 times. The last time it happened, our son Brody was involved,” Croyle said.

Croyle shared many of his stories about raising children, but he said the most important part about raising children wasn’t the rules or the punishments. Instead, he said, the most important thing was making sure the children know they are loved, belong and are cared for.

He said over the years he has had the opportunity to change the lives of so many children, simply by giving them a safe place full of love to belong. Many of the children he takes in have been abused or abandoned. He spoke of a child, Rebecca, who was abused by her grandfather for years before she came to the ranch.

“I got the chance to tell her that wasn’t going to happen anymore because you belong to me now. That is an orphan’s biggest dream; to hear someone say, ‘You belong to me now.’” Croyle said.

He concluded with advice for the community and business leaders of the Eastern Shore.

“You didn’t choose to have the mess that’s happened over the last couple of years with the economy, or the oil (spill) or anything. You didn’t choose that, but you choose how to respond to it,” Croyle said. “Whining does not accomplish anything. Real men don’t whine. Real men trust the master.”

He said life isn’t about what you do, but that it is about working toward your mission.

“It really boils down to three things in your life. Do you know your mission on this Earth? Your mission is not to build another warehouse or get another company or make more money this year. That is not your mission. That is just what you do. Do you know the method to accomplish that mission?” Croyle said.                                                                                                                                                  

“Finally, if you don’t get who the master is, you aren’t going to accomplish anything.”