Dr. Barry Corey, 8th president, of Biola University, and author of Love Kindness: Discover the Power of Forgotten Christian Virtue, was the Keynote Speaker at the recent 46th annual Los Angeles Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, held at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti (42nd mayor of LA) also addressed the gathering of influential pastors and civic leaders.

Dr. Joanne Jung, Associate Dean & Associate Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, offered a Prayer of Thanksgiving.

Dr. Robert Harp, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Adjunct Professor, Biola's Crowell School of Business, offered a Prayer for Los Angeles, specifically for those serving in Arts & Entertainment, Business, Education, Family, Government, Media, and Pastoral Service. His prayer asked God to help "...each of us steward well the gifts and talents we have been given — so that the city of Los Angeles can flourish.”

Special music was provided by Biola worship leaders (and students), Brenna Ginter and Angel Ramirez, Jr.

Dr. Gary Lindblad, dean of the Crowell School of Business, introduced President Corey. Since assuming the role in 2007, Corey has led Biola into its second century with the launching of an ambitious 10-year University Plan and the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in university history.

After the Prayer Breakfast, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Mobilization Team — consisting of Biola students from China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, South Korea, and the USA — had a meeting and site visit with Brit Gilmore, president of The Giving Keys, and a lunch meeting and site visit with Tim Peters, Director of Development, Union Rescue Mission. Tim is also working on his Master of Management, Nonprofit Organizations
degree at the Crowell School of Business, Biola.

In his Prayer for Los Angeles, Harp thanked God for Los Angeles’s rich spiritual legacy — beginning with:

  • Lyman Stewart: Founder of the Union Rescue Mission & Biola University
  • R.A.Torrey: 1st dean of Biola University and 1st pastor of the Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles
  • Billy Graham: World evangelist — his 1949 Los Angeles Crusade launched his global ministry
  • Bob Pierce: Founder of World Vision, which began in LA
  • Bill Bright: Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, which began in LA
  • J. Vernon McGee: Pastor of the Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles and Host of Thru the Bible Note: In 1941, Dr. McGee was persuaded to begin a Sunday radio program, The Open Bible Hour, on just one station. It later became High Noon Bible Class, which laid the foundation for the 1967 launch of Thru the Bible as we know it today. Dr. McGee recorded the “Sunday Sermon” messages from the pulpit of the Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles, where he served as pastor from 1949 to 1970.
  • Henrietta Mears: A Presbyterian Christian education director, who had a profound influence on the way contemporary educational ministry is conducted. Member, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
  • Richard Halverson: Chaplain of the US Senate; former pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
  • Lloyd John Ogilvie: Chaplain of the US Senate; former pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
  • Keith Green: Influential Christian Songwriter from the 1970s — known for songs such as Love Broke Through
  • Joni Eareckson Tada: Founder of Joni & Friends. For the past 40 years, it has been Joni’s mission to present the hope of the Gospel to people affected by disability and their families through her programs and outreaches around the world. Joni is a quadriplegic due to a diving accident
  • Andy Bales: CEO, Union Rescue Mission, Advocate for those affected by homelessness
  • Brit Gilmore: President, The Giving Keys, Social entrepreneur employing those affected by homelessness

In closing, Harp prayed that each of us reflects on how we can also sew seeds of eternal value … And challenged each of us to live lives that, act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8