Col. Bobby Little, executive director of the national organization Christian Embassy, has been selected as keynote speaker for the annual Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast.
This year’s event will take place at 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 22 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St.
Little will address an audience of political, civic, business and faith leaders from across the state.
Based in Washington, D.C., Christian Embassy was founded in 1975.
“It was established with the purpose of ministering to the spiritual needs of members of Congress,” Little said in a statement. “But we have added to that, and now provide ministry support to presidential appointees, leaders in the Pentagon and ambassadors.”
On its website, Christian Embassy describes itself as a nondenominational organization that “seeks to help diplomats, government leaders and military officers find real and lasting purpose through faith and encouragement.”
Little has spoken at national events, including the 2014 National Day of Prayer service. He currently conducts Bible studies for the legislative and executive branches of government as well as the military.
A long-time tradition
In keeping with tradition, Gov. Eric Holcomb will introduce Little as the guest speaker, and state legislators will participate in various roles throughout the service.
Breakfast Steering Committee Chair and volunteer statehouse Chaplain Matthew Barnes will serve as master of ceremonies, and vocalist Everett Green will sing “God Bless America” to conclude the event.
According to the Breakfast Steering Committee, the purpose of the prayer breakfast is “to pray for and with state leaders and the people they serve.”
Divine guidance for Indiana
Indiana has held a state prayer breakfast each year since 1969, when it took place in November at the Murat Temple, now known as the Old National Centre.
According to a 1969 article from the Terre Haute Tribune, Gov. Edgar Whitcomb revived the annual event that year after it had been discontinued by his predecessor, Gov. Roger Branigan.
“We want to make our people in state government and throughout the state more aware of the necessity to call for divine guidance and assistance in our everyday lives,” Whitcomb said during a planning session at the time.
Whitcomb’s administration said it hoped to attract more than 1,000 business and political leaders from Indiana, as well as about 100 student leaders from colleges and high schools.
Reaching these groups along with all Hoosiers continues to be a goal for organizers today.
Little is certified as an executive coach by George Mason University. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public relations from Hampton and Syracuse Universities, respectively.
Prior to his leadership with the Christian Embassy, Little began an honorable career in the United States Army, serving in the office of Chief of Staff of the Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense.
He and his wife have five adult children and five grandchildren.
Table sponsorships are available for the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast. For more information, call 317-759-4572 or e-mail indianaprayerbreakfast@gmail.com by Feb. 11.
