LIBRE Initiative Hosts Prayer Breakfast in Falls Church, Virginia
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LIBRE Initiative Hosts Prayer Breakfast in Falls Church, Virginia Unites Hundreds of Hispanic Faith Leaders (Washington, DC) – Today, the LIBRE Initiative held the second in its national "Hispanic Prayer Breakfast Series," at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia. Several hundred Virginia pastors and members of the community gathered to enjoy fellowship and prayer to address today's shared challenges, and strengthen the faith communities. The event featured Keynote Speaker, Arthur Brooks, renowned author, social scientist, and President of the American Enterprise Institute. The LIBRE Initiative is hosting numerous events throughout the country to help Hispanic communities of faith unite, network and collaborate to protect our freedom, ensure justice and promote well-being in our societies. Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following excerpts from speech as delivered: "A free country is a country with a future. A free market, is one of growth. A free individual, is an individual with opportunity. Every increase in public spending translates to more government power over our lives and a decrease in the power that the individual has to make decisions that impact their own well-being." "Each Federal mandate makes us less free. Thousands and thousands of new regulations approved by government bureaucrats, each new statute – if you think about it – is yet, another attempt by the politicians to modify our behavior and way of thinking and living." "The problem is that this collectivist arrangement has never worked well, and has never rendered positive results. It pretends to help the poorest members of our society, but at long term it has proven to lead to economic ruin and have negative impact on future generations. In contrast, when our focus is to grow the private sector, the wealth and opportunity of a nation increases." John Mendez, Director of Faith Initiatives of the LIBRE Initiative released the following statement: "LIBRE's Faith Team is gratified to have the chance to join together with leaders from a variety of backgrounds and denominations in Virginia. This prayerful fellowship is a great way to enhance the bonds that keep a community together, and help them deliver a message of good news to the community. The LIBRE Initiative is pleased to host this Prayer Breakfast series, which will enable faith leaders in the Hispanic community to meet in fellowship and address shared concerns. This is a challenging time for religious communities, as they consider how changes in law and culture affect them, and as many perceive new limits on how they live and espouse their faith." Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute released the following statement: "I want to talk about work, many people think that work doesn't bring happiness, but the truth is that in America today 89% of Americans, and that includes immigrants who have come to our country to work in this country and to save this country, are happy with their jobs. You hear it often, that works is not fun, that is supposed to be avoided. Our politicians tell us that welfare is better than working. That's a lie – work is a source of happiness. In the Old Testament we learned that there is nothing better than a man should rejoice in his own work, Ecclesiates 3:22. So why does work bring happiness? It's because through work, we can earn our success. Earning success is to create value with your life, and to create value in the lives of others. Happiness through work is to live the lesson of Luke 10:27. 'Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and all your soul; and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.' That is how we achieve happiness through work, and how we earn success." To watch a video of the speeches at the Virginia Prayer Breakfast click here. The LIBRE Initiative kicked off the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast Series in New Mexico and recently hosted a second breakfast with faith leaders in Orlando, Florida featuring Keynote, Governor of Florida, Rick Scott. LIBRE will announce details of the next event in the Prayer Breakfast series, in Nevada. Learn more about LIBRE's Faith Initiatives and The National Prayer Breakfast Series in your state. For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309 |