Habitat for Humanity of Evansville sponsors a Ministerial Breakfast each June to honor its faith-based partners. More than 100 pastors, members of pastoral staffs and lay leaders typically attend to hear speakers discuss emerging issues that affect faith-based communities today. Past keynote speakers have included Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel; Mildred Motley, former director of the Evansville Housing Authority; Sue Ellspermann, director of the University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Research and Economic Development; Vince Bertram, superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation; Mizell Stewart III, editor of the Evansville Courier & Press; Diane Clements, executive director of the City-County Human Relations Commission; and Maura G. Robinson, founding president of M. G. Robinson, Inc.

Last year's event was held June 17 at the Glenwood Leadership Academy, 901 Sweetser Ave. Guest speaker was John Marron, former program manager for the Indiana Association for Community and Economic Development.

Community revitalization needs to take an asset-based approach, Marron said, where partners’ efforts begin with what’s right in a community. There are three types of assets that should be included in any plan – individuals who live in the community, the institutions and entities that have the capital to invest in the community, and the associations already in place. It’s not easy having all these groups, sometimes each with its own vision, come together and form a comprehensive plan. But when that happens, the chances for success increase.

“That’s when the magic of comprehensive development can happen,” Marron said.

For more information about next year's Ministerial Breakfast, email Sr. Jane Michele McClure, major gifts officer, or call her at (812) 423-5623, ext. 26. Additional information about sponsoring the Ministerial Breakfast can be found here.