Sponsorships needed: Ozark Mountain Prayer Breakfast is May 7

The 25th annual Ozark Mountain Prayer Breakfast will be held Thursday, May 7, from 6-8:30 a.m. at the Branson Convention Center in Branson.

The local Prayer Breakfast is implemented by a committee of Ozark Mountain Legacy, a regional nonprofit whose vision is for Ozark Mountain Country to be a place of hope and hospitality with the mission of championing the core values of family, faith, friends, flag and future. 

Sponsorships are being sought now for the May 7 event. In an effort to include the area’s youth in this celebration of faith and flag, donors are also needed to sponsor student tables. Other event attendees purchase admission individually or for a table of eight. The link to sponsorship opportunities is http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2026OMPB

This year’s event will feature the presentation of the Don Gabriel Kingdom Builder Award, and recognition of the graduating class of the Ozark Mountain Young Leader’s Institute (local high school juniors from throughout the area).

The keynote speaker at this year’s breakfast will be Major League Baseball Coach Alan Cockrell. His athletic career began in Joplin, Missouri, where he was twice named first-team all-state, at Parkwood High School. An outstanding athlete, Cockrell could pass, run and even kicked for 154 extra points and eight field goals.

Cockrell (Photo submitted)

Cockrell played baseball in the minor leagues for thirteen years with five different organizations, until the end of the 1996 season. At the age of 33, he finally made an appearance in the major leagues with the Colorado Rockies. He had nine plate appearances for the Rockies, and retired at the end of the season.

His leadership skills and teaching ability shone through, and Cockrell spent the next few years working as a manager and hitting coach in various parts of the Colorado Rockies’ development system and returned to MLB when he was named hitting coach for the Rockies in 2006. Under Cockrell’s guidance in 2007, the Rockies slugged their way to a National League Championship. Cockrell went on to coach the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees as well.

Cockrell mentors young players, offering lessons, virtual analysis, speaking engagements and clinics throughout the country.

For details about the committee’s work or the prayer event, call Chairperson Cynthia Carson at 417-699-5174; visit the National Day of Prayer link at www.na