Simon Estes, Wartburg College distinguished professor and artist-in-residence, will address the 53rd annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast Thursday, April 17.

The world-renowned bass baritone will speak on “Reverence for God and Gratitude to Jesus” and sing a solo at the event that brings together Gov. Terry Branstad, legislators, community and religious leaders, and others, 7:15-8:45 a.m., in the ballroom of the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (formerly Veterans Memorial Auditorium).

Estes, who also teaches at Iowa State University, has sung in 90 major opera houses, with 115 orchestras, and in 102 operatic roles worldwide. He has performed for more than 20 presidents throughout the world, including six U.S. presidents. 

In recent years he has embarked on his “Roots and Wings” tours throughout the state’s 99 counties — honoring his Iowa roots in Centerville and raising scholarship money to help students “fly”— and also done benefits to fight malaria in Africa.

He recently sang at the U.S. Capitol during the unveiling of a statue of fellow Iowa native Dr. Norman Borlaug, the late Nobel Peace Prize winner who founded the “green revolution” in agriculture.

The cost to attend the Iowa Prayer Breakfast is $20 for adults and $10 for students. The reservation deadline is April 7.  Register at www.IowaPrayerBreakfast.com.