History and Vision of the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

For nearly a decade, The National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference has been the premier Hispanic, faith-based event in Washington, D.C. bringing together more than 2,000 Hispanic spiritual and community leaders with national policy makers and business leaders for prayer and celebration in the nation’s capital.

A modest, but inspiring, beginning…

The Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. organized the first National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in 2002.  His vision was to bring Hispanic clergy together to pray for the nation and our communities, and to connect Hispanic clergy face-to-face with their Congressional representatives.

From a one-day event to a three-day conference…

Within the first few years, the event was so successful that it was expanded from a one-day event to a three-day conference with additional sessions and dinners. High-level keynote speakers have included President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, then-Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and international dignitaries, including the first lady of Panama and Israel’s minister of tourism.

From its modest beginnings, the NHPBC now attracts more than 750 participants to the nation’s capital for prayer, advocacy, and celebration.

Making a difference through advocacy…

Since Esperanza first hosted the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, one of the primary objectives of the event has been to advocate for issues that deeply touch Hispanics across the nation.  Every year, we take more than 200 Hispanic clergy and community leaders to Capitol Hill to meet with their elected officials to discuss issues that affect the Hispanic community.

Issues that we have brought to the attention of Congress in past years include:
  • Immigration
  • Housing and Foreclosure Crisis
  • Private Mortgage Insurance
  • Faith-based initiatives: Care Act
  • Welfare reform
  • Healthy marriage program funding
  • Compassion Capital grant funding

The National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference (NHPBC) is…

  • Diverse. The NHPBC is the largest convener of Hispanic clergy members of different denominations—from Roman Catholic to Pentecostal—meeting together in the nation’s capital and representing a broad spectrum of Hispanic America.
  • Bipartisan. We seek and encourage the active participation of both Republican and Democratic leaders.  President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush have both keynoted the Breakfast.  They were joined by other members from both parties, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Whip Eric Cantor, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator John McCain, Senator Mel Martinez, Secretary Janet Napolitano, Secretary Tom Ridge, Secretary Tommy Thompson and Secretary Don Evans. 
  • A time for worship and intercession. As people of faith, we believe God hears and acts on the intercession of His people. This is the unique aspect of Esperanza’s NHPBC, and it is what drives our overall efforts to advocate and train leaders.  Hispanic clergy lead us in prayer throughout the event and are joined by renowned gospel artists to lead the musical celebration and grace the event with their talents.  In past years, we have had the pleasure of presenting such award-winning artists as Marcos Witt, Julissa, Ricardo Rodríguez, Samuel Hernández, René González, Lilly Goodman, Danilo Montero, Rocío Crooke, Blest, and New Wine Ministries, among many others.
  • A time for celebration and recognition. Throughout the NHPBC, Esperanza presents awards to individuals or organizations for their commitment to the Hispanic faith community.  Past awards have included:
  • The Esperanza Leadership Award to an individual with exemplary national leadership;
  • The Esperanza Spirit Award to an individual of outstanding ministerial service;
  • The Esperanza Advocate Award to an individual who has supported and promoted the Latino faith community’s work with national policy makers and business leaders;
  • The Esperanza Image Award to an individual who has presented a positive public image of the Hispanic community; and 
  • The Esperanza Partner Award to a Conference sponsor for its commitment to our annual event and its mission.


Visit our Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr pages to get the most up-to-date information and see videos and photos from previous NHPBCs.

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