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History of The Indianapolis Prayer Breakfast
In 1953 the United States Congress invited President Eisenhower to join them for a fellowship breakfast in the Spirit of Christ. Out of the warmth and spirit of that first meeting the National Prayer Breakfast was born.
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Since that time Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have invited people from every state and almost every nation to join the President of the United States for this annual breakfast.
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Following this example, in 1993 the city of Indianapolis held its first Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Now known simply as the Indianapolis Prayer Breakfast. This annual gathering continues to uphold the principles and spirit of the National Prayer Breakfast.
Past Prayer Breakfast Speakers
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2023 - Pete Shimer, COO Deloitte
2022 - Dr. Charles Ware - Founder of Grace Relations
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2021 - Eldon Kibbey - Indiana Director Christian Business Men's Connection
2020 - Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2019 - Bill Moore (Owner & CEO of PacMoore)
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2018 - Dave Rowe (Former NFL defensive tackle and TV Analyst)
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2017 - Tamika Catchings (16-season career with the Indiana Fever where she won a WNBA championship and four Olympic gold medals)
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2016 - Chuck Lofton (local TV personality and meteorologist for Eyewitness News Sunrise, WTHR13)
2015 - Josh Bleill (Indianapolis Colts Community Spokesman and Marine Corporal who lost both of his legs in the Iraq war)
2014 - Katie Stam-Irk (2009 Miss America, business woman, vocalist and author)
2013 - Mark Whitacre (Highest ranked executive in U.S. history to become a whistleblower for the FBI; Mark's Story inspired the motion picture, "The Informant," starring Matt Damon)
2012 - Hunter Smith (Indianapolis Colts punter from 99'-08'; member of the 06' Colts Super Bowl championship team; musician and author)
2011 - Jerry Molnar (On Sept. 11, 2001, Jerry lost his office and his co-workers in the World Trade Center)
2010 - Kyle Rote, Jr. (Former profesional U.S. soccer player; three-time winner of "ABC Wide World of Sports SuperStars;" on-air Personality for ESPN, CBS, and USA Network)
2009 - Serge LeClerc (Went from ex-prisoner to Member of the Canadian Legislative Assembly; author of the autobiography, "UNTWISTED: From lawbreaker to lawmaker”)
2008 - Eric Alexander (Expert skier, climber and mountaineer)
2007 - Josh Davis (5-Time Olympic medalist and motivational speaker)
2006 - Chip Ingram (President and CEO of Walk Thru the Bible)
2005 - Rev. Herb Lusk (Former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles and Senior Pastor of Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia)
2004 - Tony Dungy (Head coach of the Indianapolis Colts)
2003 - Norm & Bobbe Evans (President of Pro Athletes and former NFL Offensive Tackle)
2002 - Millard Fuller (Founder and President of Habitat for Humanity International)
2001 - Devon McDonald (Former Outside Linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts)
2000 - Crawford Loritts (Author, speaker and pastor)
1999 - Keith Smart (NBA player and coach; hit the game-winning shot for the Indiana Hoosiers in the 1987 NCAA championship game)
1998 - Carl Lindner III (Successful businessman and CEO of the Cincinnati Reds)
1997 - Adolph Coors IV (Great-grandson of the founder of the Coors brewery)
1996 - Cal Thomas (Syndicated columnist, pundit, author and radio commentator)
1995 - Roosevelt Grier (Professional football player, actor and singer)
1994 - Don & Barbara Hodel (Former US Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Interior)
1993 - Clark Kellogg (Television basketball analyst and former Indiana Pacers basketball player)