The first year of the gathering brought Gov. Mitch Daniels as the keynote speaker. Last year, the breakfast welcomed Sen. Richard Lugar. This year’s keynote speaker was Archbishop Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. 

Pictured left to right: Bishop Michael Coyner of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church; Rev. Matthew Landry of Winamac First United Methodist Church; and Archbishop Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

“Archbishop Tobin spoke with great joy and humor about his journey that has now guided him to Indiana,” Rev. Landry reports. “He has served in the past as the leader of his order of Redemptorist priests as well as serving in Rome at the Vatican. During his time serving in the Holy See, Tobin recalled the friendship he formed with Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, a relationship that continues today. He encouraged us to work together as Christians and to pray for one another.”

Following Archbishop Tobin’s address, Rev. Landry had the privilege of leading the gathered body in prayer along with his wife. The prayer topics were mission, mercy, and the margins. The Winamac pastor said the topics were inspired by Pope Francis’ leadership and call to the entire Christian church to become an outwardly focused church.

“We are called to be in mission to and with all people. As we go forth in mission we share mercy. We go to those on the margins in our world as Jesus himself did,” Rev. Landry explained.

He added the Prayer Breakfast was a continuation of a personal dream that began during his time at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne.

“It was during my time at this Franciscan Roman Catholic university that I sensed a call to minister in the United Methodist Church. I sensed the common faith in Jesus Christ between our two denominations. I was greatly loved and supported by the Franciscan sisters and Chaplain on campus,” Rev. Landry noted. “During my time at USF, I started a program where we visited different Christian churches to learn about various denominations. This guided me to plan the Prayer Service of Ecumenism for the unity of Christians in 2007 when I worked in Fort Wayne as a youth pastor. We gathered Christians from many denominations to pray and sing God’s praises. 

“It has always been my dream to bring brothers and sisters in Jesus together to love, pray, and serve as one,” he continued. “I am thankful for the opportunity to have served and lead the Conference Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 31, where my dream came to fruition and my prayers were answered.”

Rev. Landry grew up in Knox, and attended the United Methodist Church in Monterey with his family.