For seven years, children in search of inspiration have gathered in the early morning to join in prayer. Next week, the tradition continues with the 2017 Youth Prayer Breakfast.

The week of before-school programs held at the Beaufort County Shrine Club is open to all middle and school students, and has consistently drawn a diverse crowd, according to Jay Martin, Church of the Good Shepherd pastor and one of the event organizers.

Martin said the series is about providing hope and encouragement to children, some of who may not have much positive influence in their lives.

“The goal isn’t to sign up anyone for anything — it’s just to get a number of positive experiences. … Stories of hope. That people in the community care enough to get up early to fee and encourage and speak to them,” Martin said. “The beauty of it is it’s nondenominational, multi-church, multi-racial.”

Those adults are providing: a meal, a message and even transportation in the neutral environment of the Shrine club, anticipating that not every child would be would feel comfortable coming to a church, Martin said.

Martin said organizer Lydie Jennings is instrumental in bringing in speakers from many backgrounds, and from across the country, all of who share the common denominator of a positive message.

Monday’s breakfast features Kris Wolfe, founder of goodguyswag.com and author of “How To Find The Girl Of Your Dreams;” Tuesday’s speaker is Kris Wolfe’s wife and former Miss USA Kristen Wolfe, founder of the inspirational website sheismore.com. Former NFL New England Patriots’ running back Tony Collins will share his story of making the right choices on Wednesday; musician Reggie Dabbs on Thursday; and Friday, campus pastor of Covenant Church in Washington, Carl Perry, who also happened to be a former Division 1 NCAA National Wrestling champion, will speak about life’s greater purpose. The morning programs are divided into three parts each morning: middle school at 6:30 a.m.; high school at 7:30 a.m.; and at 8:50 a.m. at Pungo Christian School in Belhaven, according to the Youth Prayer Breakfast website.

Two evening events are also planned. At the kickoff, pizza-dinner program Sunday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at First Christian Church in Washington, the Wolfes will host “Real Talk about Guys & Girls,” a real life look at dating a marriage. On Thursday, from 7-8 p.m., Cornerstone Family Worship Center is offering an “Evening with Reggie Dabbs,” open to people of all ages.

Martin said the idea to host the annual Youth Prayer Breakfast may have come from elsewhere, but with 200-250 children attending the events each day in the past, it’s made an impression.

“This is a special community, where adults, churches, people, care enough to do this,” Martin said.

For more information, visit www.youthprayerbreakfast.com. Those needing a ride to a Youth Prayer Breakfast event can call 252-943-8184.