2009 February Banquet a Resounding Success By Mike Heath Feb 14, 2009 - 6:56:03 AM

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Mike Heath encourages Christians to run for public office

On Sunday, February 8, the Maine Family Policy Council gathered in Bangor.  The Council filled the banquet hall for a dinner and remarks from Council leadership.  Pastor H.B. London offered the evening's keynote address.

For months the Council office in Augusta worked to prepare the event.  Shortly after obtaining a commitment from Pastor London in the fall London was struck down by a devastating case of pneumonia that nearly killed him.  He was forced to clear a busy schedule to recover.  His first weekend back to public speaking brought him to Maine.

Paulie Heath, acting as event planner, challenged the board as the calendar for 2008 was running out.  She urged the board to obtain at least ten table sponsorship commitments before the end of the year.  Council President, Pastor Jerry Mick of Bangor Baptist Church, stepped up to the plate.  He sent out letters, emails and made phone calls.  The efforts of Mick and all the members of the Board caused the number of sponsorships to climb to more than ten as the year ended, assuring that the banquet would be a success.

Next, the board challenged Paulie to push the number of sponsored tables over twenty.  We worked together reaching out to churches and businesses.  By the time of the banquet we had secured twenty four table sponsorships.

The Marriage theme was selected for the banquet way back in the fall.  Then, just three weeks before the event, Senator Dennis Damon, D-Bar Harbor, announced his intention to destroy the institution of civil marriage in Maine by eliminating Maine's Defense of Marriage Act.  Pastor London's speech title proved prescient ... Marriage is Sacred.

Pastor Dallas Henry receives handsome wall clock

A highlight of the evening proved to be an honor for the most recent past president of the Council, Pastor Dallas Henry.  Dallas served as President of the Board for over two decades.  He came to the Council in 1986 concerned about declining morals in Maine.  It was the effect of this decline on children that concerned him most.

All of the board members prepared written testimonials for Pastor Henry.  Mike Heath and Pastor Jerry Mick, presented remarks from the podium.  As the board members stood in the background Heath presented Henry with a handsome wall clock.

Representatives from national pro family groups appeared at the banquet praising the Council for its outstanding work.  Retired Air Force Colonel Bill Spencer from Focus on the Family, and Cynthia Hill from the Family Research Council, brought greetings from their respective organizations.

Pastor London warmed the crowd with a series of funny anecdotes delivered with charm.  Overcoming weakness associated with his recent death struggle he rose to the occasion and inspired the assembled citizens to build strong families and defend marriage.

Everyone was encouraged to attend the February 15th Rally for Marriage with Tony Perkins.  All the tickets available that night for the event were taken and many said they would attend the Rally.

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