Kentucky Gov. Beshear to Host 58th Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast

The event will focus on 'Fostering Unity and Love' with keynote speaker Pastor Stephen Boyken.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:19am

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will host the 58th annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, March 12, at the William Exum Center at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. The event will feature a keynote address from Pastor Stephen Boyken, lead pastor of His House Ministries and president and CEO of The Hope Initiative, as well as prayers and readings from state leaders, musical entertainment, and the presentation of the annual William Cooper Faith and Community in Action Award.

Why it matters

The Governor's Prayer Breakfast is a long-standing tradition in Kentucky that brings together faith leaders, state officials, and community members to promote unity and celebrate the role of faith in public life. This year's focus on 'Fostering Unity and Love' aligns with Governor Beshear's efforts to bring Kentuckians together during challenging times.

The details

The 58th annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 12, at the William Exum Center at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. EDT, with doors opening at 7 a.m. Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman will serve as the emcee. In addition to the keynote address from Pastor Stephen Boyken, the event will feature prayers and readings from state leaders, including Rep. J.T. Payne, Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Susanne M. Cetrulo, and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. Musical entertainment will be provided by Miss Kentucky 2019, Alex Francke Sohn, and the Lexington-based violin ensemble Solstice Strings.

  • The 58th annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Doors will open at 7 a.m. EDT, and the event will begin at 7:30 a.m. EDT.

The players

Andy Beshear

The Governor of Kentucky, who is hosting the 58th annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast.

Stephen Boyken

The lead pastor of His House Ministries and president and CEO of The Hope Initiative, who will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Rebecca Goodman

The Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary, who will serve as the emcee for the Governor's Prayer Breakfast.

William Jefferson Cooper Sr.

The founder of the Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Kentucky, after whom the annual William Cooper Faith and Community in Action Award is named.

The Hope Initiative

A faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to long-term disaster recovery throughout Kentucky and across the Southeast, which will receive the 2026 Cooper Award.

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What they’re saying

“We will join together once again in fellowship to renew our bonds with each other as Kentuckians and to celebrate our relationship with God. This year, we're focusing on how we can come together to use faith as a force of good.”

— Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky

What’s next

The 58th annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The takeaway

The Governor's Prayer Breakfast is a longstanding tradition in Kentucky that brings together faith leaders, state officials, and community members to promote unity and celebrate the role of faith in public life. This year's event, with its focus on 'Fostering Unity and Love,' aligns with Governor Beshear's efforts to bring Kentuckians together during challenging times.