Finding no Bible study ministry in the Wisconsin Capitol, newly-elected Rep. Paul Tittl plants one
June 2015
Immediately after being elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012, Wisconsin State Representative Paul Tittl searched for a Bible study for Lawmakers that met at the State Capitol. When he discovered that there was none, he determined to begin one himself.
Aware of his intentions, on the Sunday before he was to be sworn into office the Pastors, Deacons, and Elders of his church prayed over Rep. Tittl at all three services as if they were sending forth a missionary to Madison.
Because they were.
“The next morning when my official ‘Dot Gov’ email account was opened, the first email that went out said that I was starting a Bible study in my office at the Capitol, it would take place Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m., and that all are welcome.”
“Since that first Wednesday after inauguration, I have never been alone. God has raised up an amazing group of Christian men who are serving along side of me. We encourage and pray for each other, and we share each other’s burdens. There are 12 from the Assembly and two Senators.”
Every week Rep. Tittl, who represents the 25th District, facilitates the study as his colleagues talk and share issues and concerns in their lives. So often the devotional for that week is pertinent to a particular need or issue that has just been discussed, he said.
In the beginning only Republicans attended the Bible study, but now the group includes two Democrats, one of whom is Jewish.
“I am not sure where this all will lead. In hindsight, in 3, 5 or 10 years from now I may be able to look back and say, ‘Oh, I didn’t see where God was working’ but right now I don’t know. I am just excited that God has chosen to use me.
“One of my favorite quotes by Abraham Lincoln is, ‘…my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.’ One of my favorite Paul Tittl quotes is, ‘Because HE lives, I Live!'”
While the Bible study he leads is not formally affiliated with Capitol Ministries, Rep. Tittl and Ralph Drollinger, President and Founder of Capitol Ministries, strongly support each other’s efforts.
Drollinger commends Rep. Tittl for his leadership.
“Paul is a wonderful believer who took a bold stand and planted a ministry for Public Servants where there once was none,” Drollinger said. “My prayer is that God will raise up thousands of Paul Tittls across our country: elected leaders who have a passion to reach the hearts of their colleagues in city and county government, State Capitols, and DC. The Lord knows we desperately need elected leaders who are spiritual leaders!”
Rep. Tittl values Capitol Ministries’ work and mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arenas.
“Capitol Ministries is vital and I believe their Bible studies should be in every single Capitol in the United States,” Rep. Tittl said. “Our founding fathers based this country upon Christian principles and what better place to have Bible teachers guiding and expounding those Christian principles than in the halls of government for our country’s leaders? Many are searching and could greatly benefit from the ministries of Capitol Ministries.”
If you would like to encourage Rep. Paul Tittl and his Public Servant colleagues in the Bible study, contact him directly at tittlassembly@gmail.com.