A very distinguished group of leaders and citizens gathered April 20th to promote the "prayer for leaders message". Participating in the mornings activities were U.S. Congressman Ralph Regula, Ohio State Senator Ronald Amstutz, Medina County Sheriff Neil Hassinger, Wadsworth Mayor Ceasar Carinno, Pastor Bret Defenbaugh of the Rittman 1st Baptist Church and special musical guest Lisa Collins from the Crossroads Community Church. Program Chairman Troy Jarvis provided the moderation and keynote speaker Stephen McDowell, President of the Providence Foundation delivered a very informative and inspiring address. The program was presented to the largest crowd since relocating to the beautiful Galaxy Banquet Center facilities.

Stephen McDowell, President of the Providence Foundation, Charlottesville Va. delivered the keynote address at the 2002 Leadership Prayer Breakfast. His very "eye opening" message was entitled "The Separation of Church and State from the Founders Perspective."

Mr. McDowell has taught inspiring seminars throughout the United States as well as in Asia, South America, Australia, Europe and Africa. He has trained thousands of people from 70 countries, consulted with numerous government officials, assisted in writing political documents and starting political parties, and helped establish classes on godly reformation in numerous churches. He has authored and co-authored several books and videos. Stephen pastored churches for six years before moving to Charlottesville to help Mark start the Providence Foundation. He and his wife, Beth, have four children.


The Providence Foundation is a Christian educational organization whose mission is to spread liberty, justice, and prosperity among the nations by instructing individuals in a Biblical worldview. Emphasis is upon educating in principles, rather than issues, drawing upon examples in history for illustration. The founding era of America's history is especially emphasized since ideas of Divine Providence and similar terminology expressed a basic link in the Founder's thinking between God and history.

"Providence" is defined as the preservation, government, guidance, and direction which God exercises over all creation, including the civil affairs of men and women. The Scriptures contain a theology of the family, the church, and the state. Principles in God's written Word that relate to civil government, politics, economics, and education are timeless and universally useful for the benefit of any culture on earth today.