CapMin Vision and Mission—Attention-Grabbers at ALEC Conference of Legislators
[Scroll for more pictures]
State legislators from around the U.S. expressed excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and gratitude for Capitol Ministries’ Bible studies where the Word of God is taught every week to public servants in State Capitols around the nation.
A contingent from Capitol Ministries, led by Founder and President Ralph and Danielle Drollinger met with legislators at the 48th annual American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference, held in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 28-30 that reportedly drew a record 1,700 attendees.
Capitol Ministries hosted a breakfast as well as an information booth that was well-attended by legislators who learned about existing ministries and how to establish ministries in states that do not have them.
They were given complimentary copies of Drollinger’s books, Oaks in Office: Biblical Essays for Political Leaders,and Rebuilding America: A Biblical Blueprint. Participants were also invited to sign up for All in Authority: Rediscovering the Missional Priority of the Church, Drollinger’s latest book that will soon be released.
Distinguished statesman Rick Perry, who also represented Capitol Ministries at the conference, spoke at a plenary meeting and also at the CapMin breakfast that was attended by some 150 lawmakers. He told legislators how vital CapMin weekly Bible studies are to governments around the world and were to him personally when he served in President Donald Trump’s administration.
“My three years as Secretary of Energy I recognize in hindsight and even while it was going on, that the single most important thing was the opportunity to have a weekly Bible study with Ralph and Cabinet Members, and being together with Christian brothers and sisters building a foundation for governance,” he said.
Former Secretary Perry said in-depth Bible study is essential to Christian public servants who desire to please God. He likened the Word of God to the checklist he observed while serving as a pilot for the U.S. Airforce from 1972-1977.
“The checklist will literally save your life,” he said “And our checklist in our world today is the Holy Bible. The Word is our foundation. If you are steeped in it, if you know it, if you can test the things that you will be asked to put into governance against biblical truths, it makes governing easy. You can go home at night and recognize you are standing on solid ground.”
Also representing CapMin were Brian and Mandi Hanson and Cheyne and Misty Day. Pastor Hanson is CapMin’s International Director and co-leader of the weekly Bible study to Ohio legislators. Pastor Day is the ministry leader to separate weekly studies to legislators in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Pastor Hanson said there was a heightened awareness at the conference among legislators for a return to Judeo-Christian values and a hunger for the Word of God to be taught.
“There was a real sense of urgency that we need truth, righteousness, and good legislation,” Pastor Hanson said. “There was an atmosphere that we need to get something going now or we will lose what we have, that we need to return to the biblical moorings of our nation.”
Drollinger said ALEC has been a wonderful aid to CapMin over the years. ALEC is America’s largest nonpartisan organization of state legislators who are dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.
“It was especially encouraging when various state legislators approached me during the conference to say how ministries we’ve started in their Capitols over the past 25 years have helped them to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” Drollinger said. “I was especially blessed by those who said they had studied Oaks in Office and how that had caused great growth in their lives.
Hearing how CapMin ministries had impacted individual legislators was particularly heartening to Drollinger.
“I was so grateful to learn the experiences of various legislators such as one from Texas who reminisced with me about how so many years ago we introduced our CapMin ministry leader to him in order to start an in-depth discipleship Bible teaching outreach in the Capitol that still exists to this day. So encouraging to hear those reports!”
In opening two plenary sessions in prayer, Drollinger and Pastor Hanson directed attention to the glory of the Lord, our submission to Him and asked Him to grant wisdom and blessing to all in attendance.
The CapMin booth, which displayed large banners that promoted the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena throughout the world, drew large numbers of legislators all during the conference.
“We spoke with hundreds of legislators from all around the nation sharing with them the vision of CapMin and telling them how they can get involved,” Pastor Hanson said. “In some cases, we prayed with those who were really hurting who wanted to know how to start ministries in states that do not have them.”
The conference provided unexpected opportunities to Pastor Day and Misty, his wife and ministry partner who were in the process of establishing the Arkansas ministry when government COVID protocols restricted meetings in the state capitol.
“We met so many people from all over the nation, what a blessing!” Pastor Day said. “And what a tremendous privilege it was to meet for the first time with some of our Arkansas legislators in person, as well as some Oklahoma legislators.
“We also met people who are willing to help us start new ministries in the few states where a Capitol Ministries Bible study does not exist. This trip was very fruitful.
“I thank God for the work that is being done through Capitol Ministries throughout the nation,” he said. “I am reminded at the same time of what a big world, but also what a small world we have.
“It is amazing to me that all over America, there are so many people who have the same goal of making disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to be able to play a small part in serving the Lord through Capitol Ministries.”
