Samir Becic, the renowned founder of Health Fitness Revolution, was among the distinguished guests invited to the Ukrainian National Prayer Breakfast 2024, held in Kyiv on June 29, 2024. This significant event, under the patronage of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gathered 836 participants from 15 countries and 12 denominations in Kyiv’s Mystetskyi Arsenal, a former munitions plant located across the street from the one thousand year old Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery complex.
Becic joined top Ukrainian officials, members of the U.S. Congress, and international religious leaders in a collective effort to foster mutual understanding and unity through prayer for Ukraine. The breakfast focused on themes of peace, victory, and justice, reflecting the nation’s ongoing challenges and aspirations.
Becic’s presence at the prayer breakfast highlights his commitment to global peace and well-being, aligning with his mission to promote health and fitness as a foundation for a better world. Samir was invited by Jason Fuller and attended alongside Mike Croissant and Luke Calhoun. Jason Fuller is the Managing Director of Global Development at Straife. With extensive experience in political and corporate sectors, Fuller has worked with U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and other Senators, as well as various corporate clients. Mike Croissant is a retired CIA officer and nonfiction author. His work focuses on historical narratives, particularly related to World War II. His book, Bombing Hitler’s Hometown, explores the final mass bombing raid in Europe during the war, drawing on interviews with veterans and archival research. Through his writing, Croissant aims to capture the personal experiences of those involved in the conflict, offering a detailed exploration of the war’s final days. Luke Calhoun is the Managing Director of Government Affairs at Straife, with a distinguished military background. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over 20 years, participating in numerous combat operations and earning several commendations for his leadership. Calhoun’s military experience includes strategic planning and crisis management, which he now applies to his role in government affairs, helping bridge the gap between public and private sectors.
During the event, attendees engaged in various activities, including individual meetings with delegations, visits to sites affected by missile attacks, and a humanitarian forum. These activities provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and support for Ukraine. The Prayer Breakfast of Ukraine is a continuation of a long tradition that dates back to similar events in the United States, where the first Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953 with the participation of President Dwight Eisenhower. In Ukraine, the history of Prayer Breakfasts began in 2009.
This year’s National Prayer Breakfast of Ukraine under the patronage of the President of Ukraine was also attended by the leadership of the Parliament, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, key ministers, members of the U.S. Congress, representatives of diplomatic and international religious missions, representatives of various denominations of Ukraine, charitable organizations and foundations, military veterans, chaplains, and families of fallen heroes.
Additional press coverage highlighted the diverse range of participants and the impactful discussions that took place. Notably, the event included a special session where attendees shared personal stories of resilience and hope amid the ongoing conflict. This session underscored the collective resolve to support Ukraine’s path to peace and recovery. The Washington Times reported that the event also featured a poignant moment where participants prayed for the families affected by the war and for the strength of the Ukrainian people. This added a deeply emotional and unifying aspect to the gathering, reinforcing the importance of faith and community in times of crisis.
