​

1 of 3

FAITH & BLUE: Confidence Missionary Baptist Church in LaGrange hosted the annual Faith & Blue Prayer Breakfast. (Tommy Murphy | Daily News)

KEEPING THE FAITH: Local pastors host the annual prayer breakfast each year to pray with first responders. (Tommy Murphy | Daily News)

INSPIRING SERVICE: Dr. Jimmy McCamey, Dr. Janice Brewer, Zsa Zsa Heard, Wanda Walker, Michele Bedingfield (not pictured) and Dr. Rachel Hazel (not pictured) were given awards in recognition of their service to the community during the annual Faith & Blue Prayer Breakfast on Monday Morning. (Tommy Murphy | Daily News)

As Faith & Blue weekend comes to a close, with fellowship gatherings held across LaGrange all weekend, Confidence Missionary Baptist Church hosted the traditional Pastor’s Breakfast, where local ministers gather to pray with law enforcement over a morning meal.

This year, the gathering included several community recognition awards for locals who are giving back to make LaGrange and Troup County a better place.

Faith & Blue is a nationwide movement that aims to create safer and more inclusive communities by connecting law enforcement officers and the residents they serve and protect through ministries and houses of worship.  

“It’s a time where our hearts, our faith and our service unite with one common goal, that’s the strength and the bond between law enforcement and the community we serve. Faith & Blue was founded on one simple and yet powerful idea that when faith and service come together, healing, trust and hope follow,” said LaGrange Police Officer Bryant Mosley. “This initiative has brought officers and citizens together, not as uniforms, but as brothers, ministers, as people, as one. Here in LaGrange, that message carries very deeply. Our community has faced challenges like every other time. Again, we have chosen connection over division. We have chosen compassion over criticism and understanding over fear. That’s the spirit of faith and religion. That’s the spirit of LaGrange.”Pastor and TCSO Major Jeff Duran provided a short sermon during the prayer breakfast. Duran serves as the Senior Pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in LaGrange.

All law enforcement agencies that serve in LaGrange were represented at the breakfast. Along with LPD, leaders from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Marshal’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol and the LaGrange Police Department spoke and shared prayers at the event. City and county elected officials also spoke at the service, including Mayor Jim Arrington, Councilwoman Darby Pippin, Sheriff James Woodruff and Commissioner Jimmy McCamey.

McCamey was one of several community members who were surprised at the breakfast with an Inspiration Award for the work they do for the community. McCamey was recognized for the work helping guide and foster youth at Dream House Youth Services.

Wanda Walker was recognized for her work with Troup Transformation, building bridges of faith and community partnership. 

Dr. Janice Brewer was recognized for her decades of service working with Twin Cedars, serving the youth of LaGrange and Troup County.LaGrange Housing Authority CEO Zsa Zsa Heard was recognized for her work helping provide low-income housing in the community. 

Michele Bedingfield and Dr. Rachel Hazel were also recognized for their respective work with Harmony House and the Troup County School System, but they were unable to be present to receive the awards.

Print Article