Former WNBA star shares life lessons before record prayer breakfast crowd

Published by admin on Tue, 08/22/2017 - 4:58pm
By: 
Jamie Hult, Staff writer

Olympia Scott, former WNBA star, delivered an inspirational message of faith to the largest crowd ever to attend the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast in its nine-year history. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Pastor Dan Nelson from Brandon Lutheran Church led a ministerial moment and prayer of adoration at the ninth annual Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast on Aug. 18. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Anthony Klinner led the prayer breakfast crowd in "God Bless America." Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Jacob Frantzen and Jeff Lockner led prayers for Brandon Valley school district teachers and community, family and school at the ninth annual Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast, held Aug. 18 at the high school. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Police Chief Dave Kull led the breakfast crowd in prayer for public service officials. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Two-time WNBA championship athlete Olympia Scott, Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Guest speaker Olympia Scott at the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Bob Young from the Brandon Ministerial Association emceed the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast on Aug. 18. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

The Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast drew a record crowd at Brandon Valley High School on Aug. 18. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Keynote speaker Olympia Scott at the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. Jill Meier/BV Journal

Olympia Scott and Bob Young at the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast on Aug. 18. Jill Meier/BV Journal

 

 

From students to seniors and everyone in between, an estimated 475 residents were up bright and early Friday for the Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast. 
Event organizer Paul Van DeBerg expected 350-400 attendees, but Friday’s turnout was the biggest in the prayer breakfast’s nine years.  
“We set up for 425, and they just kept coming,” said committee member Laura Kuehl. 
Keynote speaker Olympia Scott – a two-time Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) champion – spoke about finding one’s assignment in life and her journey to discovering her own calling after an ACL knee injury cut her pro ball career short.   
“I was a big baby, a big kid, I was even named Olympia – I always knew I was meant to do great things,” Scott said. “Suddenly this person I had always been and a big part of my identity was gone.”
She talked about a reoccurring dream she’d had. Coach was sending her onto the court during a heated game, but she didn’t have her shoes. In another, the team was boarding the bus, and she wasn’t packed. 
Then a new dream took its place. Coach was telling her to slam dunk the ball. “In the dream, I knew it was clearly a dream; my dunking days are done,” Scott said – and this time, she was prepared. 
“I woke up feeling good,” she said. 
In time, she realized her new purpose: Sharing her story of victory and adversity and God’s role in her life. 
“This is what God has planned for me now,” Scott said. “He wanted me to lead from behind. God wants me to understand. I slam-dunked my assignment.”
She challenged the crowd to tune in to the message God had for them that morning.
“You’re either living your purpose or living His purpose,” Scott said. “I feel like we don’t know how to listen in prayer. God, what do you have for me to know? What is my assignment, Lord?”
Prayer was paramount on Friday’s program, with individual prayers for the military, ministry, community, family and school, teachers and public servants. 
This year’s Brandon Area Prayer Breakfast placed particular emphasis on students and school district staff, with a brief address from superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson paying tribute to those BVSD employees in attendance. 
Student-led music put the final note on the event, and Scott stayed to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures.  
The 6-foot-2 inspirational speaker is president of Super Parenting, LLC. She’s currently working on her second book and lives with her husband and children in Sioux Falls. 
The event was sponsored by the Brandon Valley Ministerial Association, hosted by Brandon Valley High School and organized by a volunteer committee that is chaired by Paul VanDeBerg.   
 
 
 

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