Capitol Ministries - Texas

I haven't written much of late about the ministry that my dad has become a part of and the role that I have in it. Most of you know that I am working as my dad's assistant, but not much else beyond that.

Well, as of the beginning of December my dad is officially full time as the State Director of Capitol Ministries Texas. That is a huge development, one we never expected to happen so quickly. It is quite clear that this is the timing that the Lord had planned for us all along. His hand of blessing has been so obviously evident in the past few months, we have been overwhelmed.

But first, what is Capitol Ministries?

The goal of the ministry is to reach every legislator, at every level of government, every year with the gospel.

Basically, we exist to make disciples of those working in the political arena. Reaching elected officials and leading them toward maturity in Christ are our primary focuses.

Another way of putting it is to say that we are missionaries to those working in the state government.

What we do NOT do, is lobby, or try to affect the way that the legislators are voting. Instead we are there to nourish and encourage their walk with the Lord. We pray that out of that will spring lawmakers who are striving to please the Lord with the laws they are passing.

The ministry is Headquartered in Sacramento, CA. We are working to put a minister of the gospel in all 50 state capitols. As of 2009 we have established 21 ministers in capitols all across the US, are working on starting a ministry in the nations capitol of DC, and just this year have started our first national expansion in the capitol of Argentina.

So, how we make disciples . . . the main way is through weekly bible studies in the capitol that my dad leads. One for Legislators only, and another for staff and lobbyists. My dad prepares bible study notes the week before each study and then a couple of days before the bible study, I then pass out a copy of them to every legislators office in the capitol. With 181 offices in the Texas state capitol, it is a big job. My dad has the legislator Bible study every Thursday morning at 7:30 and then the staff study we have scheduled for every Friday afternoon at lunch.

My dad's first legislator bible study was this last Thursday morning and we were shocked and excited to have 14 Legislators attend. This more than exceeds our hopes for our first study!

His staff/lobbyist bible study will be starting up next Friday, and we have already had alot of the staff taking initiative in showing interest in the study.

The ministry is support-based so part of our time is also spent in raising the money needed for the work we do. God has shown His hand of provision time and again in so many amazing ways over the past month and a half especially, there is no doubt in our minds that we are where He wants us to be!

We have been doubly blessed with a sponsor who has taken on this ministry as if it were his own, and done everything in his power to see that it is successful. He has been such a blessing as he has come alongside our ministry and given encouragement and support whenever needed. We are extremely grateful to have a sponsor in the legislature that is such a man of God. A man who truly is a living testimony of God's love and humility in the capitol.

This is a very busy time for both my dad and I. Since the ministry here is launching alot faster than most ministries do, and faster than was expected for our state, we have been in a full sprint to get everything running and off the ground.

I work alongside my dad, doing as much office work and organizing as I can. This frees him up to spend more time meeting those to whom he desires to minister and that he might build relationships with them.

We are excited as a family about the new vision that God has placed before us. We feel that the ministry is a vital one, and we take up the charge first given to Paul, as found in Acts 9:15 " But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel."

We too have been called to bear the name of our Savior Jesus Christ before those in authority in the State of Texas.

Please pray for us as we launch out into this new ministry, and strive to make disciples of the Senators, State Representatives, and their staff in the Texas state capitol.

For His Glory!
~Jessica Shae