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23 years ministering to ministers

Frank and Linda Brocato have been there for area pastors and their wives for decades.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published November 4, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - In Ezekiel 22:30 it says the Lord sought a man to stand in the gap. In 1983, Frank and Linda Brocato said "send us."

That's when the couple founded Prepare His Ways Ministries, an organization that sponsors support groups, retreats, praise and worship services, breakfasts and brunches, and a free banquet - all for senior pastors and their wives.

This year the Brocatos celebrate 23 years of service to God's people.

"It is our heart's desire to show honor, love and support to our spiritual leaders in West Central Florida, especially the Tampa Bay area," said Frank Brocato, who lives in Wesley Chapel with Linda, his wife of 37 years.

Two years after they started the ministry, the Brocatos started an appreciation banquet where a host of volunteers have honored senior pastors and their wives, totally free with no strings attached.

For the first few years the Brocatos financed the banquet with help from friends. Now they receive funds from business partners and friends of the ministry.

The cost of this year's banquet breaks down to $50 per person which includes a full course formal dinner, couple portraits, gifts for the pastors and their wives and an honorarium for the worship teams who lead praise and worship. More than 400 pastors and wives are invited; from 90 to 100 couples are expected to attend the Nov. 10 banquet.

The Brocatos have never received compensation for organizing the annual banquet. All contributions go back into their ministry activities. No church or minister has been asked for funds since the ministry's inception, says Brocato who is the president of a Tampa company called Employers Health Coalition.

"I have never heard of anything like this," said Lakeland minister Karl Strader in a DVD made at the ministry's 20th anniversary.

In the same DVD, the Rev. Abe Brown of Tampa said Frank Brocato has been a friend to this community for many years.

"Prepare His Ways Ministries is the glue that holds ministers together; it is a place to get help," Brown said.

Janis Russo, whose husband Ed is the pastor of Victorious Life Church in Wesley Chapel, said Linda Brocato is the listening ear that pastors' wives need. The Brocatos go to church at Victorious Life.

Ed Russo referred to the ministry as a bridge to unify ministers.

The theme for this year's banquet is "Praying Together in Unity Moves the Heart of God."

Linda has been living this theme for the past five years.

In 2002 she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and severe type of bone cancer.

"I had this nagging pain in my shoulder the beginning of the school year in 2001," she said. Linda taught fifth grade at Sanders Elementary School in Land O'Lakes.

But she continued to teach and made it through the end of the school year in May of 2002. "I was in the third stage when I was diagnosed," she said.

After going to the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock for treatment, Linda is now cancer free. She calls her recovery a miracle from God.

"Prayer sustained me and God healed me through brilliant people in the medical profession," she said. "When I was diagnosed I said when God heals me I want to be like the leper who remembered to thank him."

Linda no longer teaches, but she is thankful for the love her students showed her.

"They raised money to help pay for our trips back and forth to Arkansas," she said. "The first year we spent nine months there as I was treated as an outpatient at the center."

People whom the Brocatos had served over the years came by to serve them.

"Pastors' wives came to my house and cleaned, did laundry and even cooked," she said.

With two sons, one daughter-in-law, one grandchild and another due any time, Linda says she is truly a "blessed woman."

"I have learned to take one day at a time," she said.

During her illness, her husband continued their ministry.

"With his faithfulness and the help of volunteers, the banquet has been held each year," she said. "The ministry has gone on through the grace of God and Frank's faithfulness."

In a book titled Committed to the Call by Jeffrey Davis, he refers to the Brocatos' ministry as a ministry to the warriors of the gospel, those who are hurting and fatigued.

"He asks for nothing except for guests to enjoy the evening and know they are loved and appreciated by him and the heavenly Father," wrote Davis.

[Last modified November 3, 2006, 22:47:53]