TAMPA, Florida (May 3, 2017)—The Christian Business Men’s Connection’s (CMBC) will host Tampa Bay Prayer Night on May 16 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Darryl Strawberry, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder and ordained Christian minister and author, will keynote the event.
Historically a prayer breakfast, CMBC’s 47th annual prayer event was moved to the evening this year to accommodate more members of the community. General admission tickets are free.
“We really wanted to open this up to as many people in our community as possible this year,” said Porter Smith, Tampa Bay Prayer Night Chairman and Tampa Market President of American Momentum Bank. “We’re hoping the evening event and free admission will encourage a huge crowd to join us in praying for our local leadership.”
Tampa Bay Prayer Night continues an annual tradition started by former mayor Dick Greco in 1971. The purpose of this co-ed event is to pray for those in authority, such as the mayor, police chief and other civic leaders, and to reach out with the Gospel. In the past, the event has featured many prominent national speakers from the business, political and sports arenas. This year’s event will feature Strawberry’s keynote, and also include prayer for local leaders.
Strawberry is well known for his career in baseball and his controversial personal life. During his 17-year career, he helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship and the New York Yankees to three World Series championships. He was also suspended three times by the MLB for substance abuse. His memoir, Straw: Finding My Way, was published in 2009. He founded Strawberry Ministries in 2011.
Free tickets can be obtained at www.tampabayprayer.com in advance, and walk-ups are welcome at the event. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available.
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