By Ida Brown

ibrown@themeridianstar.com



As Meridian prepares to elect its next mayor, the mayoral incumbent of a city 90 miles away offered words of encouragement to those gathered at an early morning prayer breakfast Friday.

“I’ve heard that Meridian is not wavering in its faith; I believe that Meridian is not wavering in the love of Jesus,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Dr. Johnny L. DuPree at the Seventh Annual Mayor’s Leadership Prayer Breakfast.

Throughout his presentation, DuPree, who is the city’s first black elected to the post, talked about how his faith has sustained him in times of adversity – from a humble childhood to obstacles encountered as he sought Hattiesburg’s highest political office.

“I know that God has worked in my life and He has promoted it,” he said, referencing Psalm 75 – “For promotion cometh neither from the east,

nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another … “

“God is the one who grants promotion; based on how well you serve, how well you will serve,” DuPree said. “Those of you who want promotion … Are you prepared for promotion?”

Before he could become a good leader, DuPree said he had to first become a good servant.

“I had to serve Hattiesburg – not be the mayor of the blacks or the mayor of the whites, but the mayor of Hattiesburg,” he said. “And faith helped me to achieve that.”

The speaker said faith is a common denominator of his administration.

“Prayer is something my administration takes very seriously; we make a commitment to prayer,” he said. “Our administration assistant and our public information director, every Monday we pray together. Every week, we have a director’s meeting and we start with prayer – and each director prays.”

DuPree said it has taken eight years, but he now feels the city of Hattiesburg believes they have a mayor of the people.

Commenting on the prayer breakfast’s theme “Moving Forward in 2009,” DuPree said it is a goal that will require fervent prayer to accomplish.

“Through prayer, my life is validated and it gives me the strength to face all the challenges of life. Whether it’s Hurricane Katrina or facing cancer with my wife, we have, we will overcome,” he said. “I am – and you are – nothing without prayer … Prayer tells me that I can do all things through Christ, and I listen.”

And to Meridian’s leaders – present and future – he advised: “You have to take charge; you have to press forward tomorrow. You have to reach for the stars. You have to be the one that people will say, when they look at you, ‘Man, they’re different; they’re perculiar’ … Do the things that God wants you to do that some people don’t expect.”

Word of Truth Worship Center was the setting for the annual breakfast, which is sponsored by the city of Meridian and Mission Meridian. According to Minister Charlotte Scott, executive director of Mission Meridian, the breakfast provides a platform “where God’s people can pray for the leadership, deepen friendships across race and denominations throughout the city and county and seek God’s direction.”

In the absence of Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith, who was out of town, Ward 5 Councilman John C. Harris presented the welcome. The morning event also included several prayers by local ministers: Prayer for the State, the Rev. Robert Null, First Assembly of God Church; Prayer for the City, the Rev. Odell Hopkins, West Mount Moriah Baptist Church; Prayer for the County, the Rev. Van Williams, El Bethel Baptist Church; and Prayer for the Schools, the Rev. Cynthia Cross, Haven Chapel and Saint Mark Methodist Church.

Special music was provided by Kennetha C. Powell and WTOK-TV News Reporter Tametria Conner was program facilitator.