Prayer breakfast draws 750 in Regina

By Frank Flegel

REGINA — A life that led from fear, rejection and near suicide to one of success and inspiration brought Jack Toth of Calgary to establish a program that encourages and develops youth to be all they can be. Toth, head of Impact Society in Calgary, was the guest speaker at the 40th annual Saskatchewan Prayer Breakfast held April 14 at the Conexus Art Centre.

Born in Kipling, Sask., Toth said he lived in a faith-filled family, but early experiences of failure in school led him to believe he could not succeed in anything. “I built a wall of stupidity and fear of failure and the stupidity grew,” he said, recalling the day in April 1976 as a 16-year-old who felt unloved by everyone, his parents away on one of their rare vacations, he took his brother’s rifle and laid it on his lap. “I was about to take my life. But deep down I knew my parents loved me.” His church minister began to spend extra time with him and “pulled me through.”

“Inside everyone is the ability to greatness. We are made in God’s image,” he said.

Wondering how to respond to that challenge, he began working with youth and became the youth minister at an Apostolic church in Calgary. Through that connection, he began volunteering at a high school with a number of troubled youth. He became a track coach, admitting he had to consult the school library to find out what track was about. By building up and encouraging members, Toth led the team to the city championship.

A teacher told Toth that he was amazed at one of his sessions with youth: four known gang members at the front of the class were actually taking notes.

“I told him that when we build up people they want to hear what we have to say,” said Toth.

He and his wife Collette “took a leap of faith,” in 1994 and established Impact Society, an organization devoted to working with troubled youth by building up their self-esteem and encouraging them to use their gifts and abilities to achieve the purpose for which they were designed.

“God intends for all of us to have a positive impact,” Toth said, and he challenged the 750 people in attendance, “What’s your purpose and are you living it?”

The Saskatchewan Prayer Breakfast was established in 1971 by then Lieutenant-Governor Stephen Worobetz. The committee is co-chaired by the Lieutenant-Governor and Saskatchewan’s Chief Justice of the day. Bible readings are offered by the premier and the leader of the Opposition or their representative, a prayer for the province is offered, along with a musical performance by an individual or group.