Contact: Gaye Lisby, 417-527-2260

BRANSON, Mo., April 24, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ozark Mountain Prayer Breakfast ™ in Branson, Mo. will host Coach Bobby Bowden as the 2014 keynote speaker in celebration of the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 1 at the Branson Convention Center.

Bobby Bowden is known as much for his affable charm as he is for his championship teams. Having coached young men in seven decades, he is the second-winningest coach in major college football history.

Bowden, one of the most elite college football coaches of all time, is a "devout Christian who is totally reliant upon God."

He led a dominating dynasty over the course of 34 seasons at Florida State University amassing 377 career victories, the second most ever by a NCAA Division 1 coach.

He is the patriarch of the Bowden family who was 80 years old when he retired after the 2009 season. He says the defining moment in his life wasn't winning championships, but when he rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. "Faith is the most important thing in the world to me. It's the greatest strength I've had. It's helped me get through the hard times. You're not going to win every one of your football games. I've always said I'm not going to make football my god. A lot of coaches put so much into coaching football games that they have nothing left. I've never made football my priority. My priorities are my faith and my family,"
said Bowden.

Bowden remains heavily involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, annually awarding the National Bobby Bowden Award to a student-athlete for achievement on and off the field, including his conduct as a faith model in the community.

Because of that involvement, major sponsors have made it possible for over 200 Stone and Taney County FCA and high school athletes to also participate in the prayer breakfast.

"We want to make sure our athletes have the opportunity to hear from a man of faith such as coach Bowden," said prayer breakfast committee chair, Bill Budnick. Budnick was impacted greatly by the life of coach Bowden when he played for the Mountaineers during Bowden's term at West Virginia University.

Bowden and his wife, Anne, of 61 years lives in Florida.

More information about Ozark Mountain Prayer Breakfast, an annual event is available at ozarkmountainprayerbreakfast.com or by emailing budnickbill@gmail.com.