Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast to Feature Reverend Faith Fowler

Reverend Faith Fowler will keynote the 36th annual Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. at Oakland University Athletics Center O’Rena. Reverend Fowler is executive director of Cass Community Social Services (CCSS), a Detroit nonprofit agency which responds to poverty with programs for food, health care, housing and employment. In addition to all her work in social services, she serves as pastor of a church in Detroit. Rev. Fowler will speak about the challenges and opportunities of living in this time in history, especially as it relates to how we can help people who are poor.

Faith Fowler was only 8 years old when the Detroit riots struck the city in 1967. Four years later her family moved to the suburbs, but in 1986 she returned to Detroit after becoming a Methodist pastor, determined to help. Today she serves as pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church in Detroit and executive director of Cass Community Social Services (CCSS). Beyond her work at CCSS, Rev. Fowler has started several small businesses through Cass Green Industries that employs about 85 people. The businesses include making sandals from the treads of tires illegally dumped in Detroit, coasters with graffiti on them that come from a Detroit wall originally put up to keep out black residents, and paper shredding that employs workers with developmental disabilities. Fowler also founded Cass Community Publishing House to help Detroit writers publish books about the City and faith. Her latest project is Tiny Homes, which builds small homes of about 250 to 400 square feet for people unable to afford regular homes. In 2014, Fowler authored “This Far by Faith”, a 20-year collection of inspiring true stories of men and women who found new hope and were able to join in building a healthier community through Cass organizations.

Fowler’s commitment to helping the disadvantaged has earned her many awards and recognition including the Art Van Hope Award, the Detroit News Michiganian of the Year Award and most recently the Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award. Sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, the award recognizes people who have a regional impact and make important contributions to metro Detroit. In October 2016, Fowler will join an impressive list of past & present honorees when she is inducted to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame promotes equality of women by honoring the history and celebrating the accomplishments of Michigan women.

Rev. Fowler graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Albion College. She received a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston University School of Theology and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree from the University of Michigan – Dearborn where she currently serves as an adjunct professor. She has received distinguished alumni awards from both universities in recognition of her works. Fowler resides in Detroit; her interests include reading, running (finished the Boston Marathon four times), the environment and travel.

“Faith is truly an inspiration … she sees hope and opportunity among the needy and neglected,” said David DeSteiger, 2017 Prayer Breakfast chairperson. DeSteiger added, “I’m personally humbled by Rev. Fowler’s tireless efforts and we are very fortunate to have her keynote next year’s Prayer Breakfast.”

The Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast is an annual, non-denominational event held in recognition of the National Day of Prayer, instituted in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and then President Harry S. Truman.

Special thanks to the 2017 Prayer Breakfast Event Sponsor, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.  Registration is now open. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to make a reservation for the event, please visit the Prayer Breakfast website www.rochesterareaprayerbreakfast.com or contact the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce at (248) 651-6700.