The 2013 Missouri Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is an annual observance welcoming participants from around Missouri at the beginning of the General Assembly’s legislative session. The Prayer Breakfast is an inter-faith event for all leaders and citizens of our state. Its purpose is to seek God’s guidance for our political leaders as they begin the legislative session.
Beneficiary
Proceeds from the 2013 Missouri Governor’s Prayer Breakfast support the Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values. The forum brings together select Missouri college juniors for a three-day study of faith and leadership. Participants explore the role faith has played in the lives of business executives, sports figures and government officials.
In 1990, several national political leaders, including Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, established the first annual National Student Leadership Forum. The national event served as the catalyst for similar events held in 28 states. Missouri was the second state to establish such a forum. Jefferson City businessman Clyde Lear has organized the Governor’s Student Leadership Forum since its inception.
History
The Missouri Governor’s Prayer Breakfast was established in the 1950s as an extension of the National Prayer Breakfast, which was first held in 1953.
Recent keynote speakers
2013 David L. Steward, inspirational author and the founder and CEO of
World Wide Technologies
2012 Pastor Randy Gariss, College Heights Christian Church, Joplin, MO
2011 Mel Tjeerdsma, Head Football Coach at Northwest Missouri State
University
2010 Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
2009 Catherine Hanaway, U.S. Attorney for Eastern Missouri
2008 Father Mike Coleman, Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City
2007 John Ashcroft, former U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senator and
Governor
2006 Mark Earley, Prison Fellowship President
2005 Bob Holden, Governor
2004 Jean Carnahan, former U.S. Senator
2003 Elson Floyd, University of Missouri President
2002 Ike Skelton, U.S. Representative
2001 Roger Wilson, Governor
2000 Paul Simon, former U.S. Senator from Illinois
