Gary Tedrick, an Alton, IL businessman began the Congressional Prayer Breakfast that gathers annually in the Collinsville (Illinois) Convention Center near the St. Louis arch. In 2016 the date is Monday, May 2, at 7:00 AM. Three Illinois Congressmen – John Shimkus, Mike Bost, and Rodney Davis — sent out the letter of invitation and are among those leaders sitting at the dais.
For tickets, the number to call anytime – day or night – is 618 463-6850 – and will be answered by a “live” Answer Midwest operator.
This year’s speaker is none other than FBI “whistleblower” Mark Whitacre (www.markwhitacre.com), telling his amazing story. Making millions annually before he was age 30, he became complicit in an international "price fixing" scheme, felt guilt, and — at wife Ginger’s urging — turned himself in to the authorities. He was enlisted to became a “whistleblower” for the FBI and, for three years, wore a "wire" for gathering evidence.
He was to still go to prison for eight years. Before he began serving his prison sentence – feeling that no one would ever hire him again, and concluding that his wife would divorce him, he considered suiside. But a Christian businessman read of Mark’s story in the news, visited him, established a friendship, and led him to saving and life-changing faith in Jesus Christ.
While in prison, Mark discipled more than 60 men, Chuck Colson of President Richard Nixon and Watergate fame – who also had spent time in prison — became a key mentor to him.
Instead of Ginger divorcing him, she moved to three different cities where Mark was incarcerated to be with him at every visiting opportunity.
A movie was made of the experience with Matt Damon playing the role of Mark Whitacre, “The Informant.” See www.markwhitacre.com .
For tickets … $20 each … call 618 463-6850 any time, day or night. (I just checked out the number. It works!) Since Gary Tedrick is the owner of Answer Midwest answering service, your call will be answered by a "live" operator … even at 3:00 AM … or whenever!
It is always a great event … from 7:00 – 9:00 AM … with hundreds attending each year.
To hear Ginger Whitacre – in her own words – titled … “Ginger Whitacre made 3 moves to be with husband Mark (www.markwhitacre.com) while he was in prison” … click on .. http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/680/5/
To hear an earlier time of radio with Mark Whitacre, telling his own story … titled …” www.markwhitacre.com: big salary, FBI whistleblower, jailed, found Christ, discipled 50 in prison” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/content/view/677/5/