By Sydney Byerly
The Indiana Citizen
February 27, 2026
Gov. Mike Braun this week signed an executive order tapping Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith to spearhead a “faith-based institutions initiative” with a set of goals that includes deepening those organizations’ involvement in “addressing societal ills” where government cannot do so.
Among the initiative’s objectives are “increasing civic engagement,” “strengthening the family unit” and “promoting principled morals and character.” That list of objectives also includes addressing addiction, prisoner reentry, mentorship and promoting foster care and adoption.
The executive order tasks Beckwith with consulting with leaders of faith-based institutions, proposing “means to reduce barriers to effective participation of faith-based institutions” in addressing those matters, and issuing an annual report on his progress.
However, the order does not specify which faith traditions or organizations will be included. It does not require representation from particular religious groups — such as Christian, Jewish or Muslim institutions — nor does it outline criteria for selecting participants. Decisions about who is involved appear to be largely left to the lieutenant governor’s office.
Beckwith – a self-described Christian nationalist who remains the campus pastor at Life Church’s Noblesville location, a role he is continuing alongside his role as lieutenant governor – unveiled the initiative on social media, while Braun has so far remained silent on the move. While Beckwith expressed gratitude to Braun for entrusting him with the initiative, neither Braun nor Beckwith responded to requests for comment about the genesis of the executive order or the first steps of the program.
According to the Republican lieutenant governor, the initiative seeks to recognize and strengthen the long-standing role of faith-based institutions in Indiana communities.
“These organizations have served as cornerstones of community life since our state’s founding by offering mentorship, compassion, and hands-on support to neighbors in need,” Beckwith wrote on X.
Beckwith emphasized that the initiative also prioritizes safeguarding religious liberty while ensuring a fair and welcoming environment for all qualified service providers.
“Empowering organizations that uplift Hoosiers in times of need strengthens families, enhances civic engagement, and broadens pathways to opportunity across our state,” Beckwith wrote in his lengthy post announcing the initiative.
The initiative follows Beckwith’s recent efforts to integrate his faith into his approach to governance.
The Indiana Citizen’s previous reporting has highlighted his push for incorporating Christian values into public policy, his advocacy for increased funding for faith-based programs, and his dual roles as both pastor and public official. Critics have raised concerns about the blending of religious institutions with government programs and the potential implications for mental health services and other state-funded initiatives.
In May, Beckwith’s faith-based push came to a head when his office partnered with Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office for publishing a “Churches’ Bill of Rights,” which drawn attention and contrasting viewpoints, with supporters calling it a great resource for faith groups and critics slamming it for being overtly Christian in tone.
As of publication, no lawmakers or religious leaders had publicly responded to the new executive order.
Sydney Byerly is a political reporter who grew up in New Albany, Indiana. Before joining The Citizen, Sydney reported news for TheStatehouseFile.com and most recently managed and edited The Corydon Democrat & Clarion News in southern Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism at Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism (‘Sco Griz!).
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
