18 New Bible-Study Ministries for City and County Public Servants Launched at First Ever LGM Training
At our first ever Local Government Ministries (LGM) training last week, ministry leaders from across the United States and one African nation caught CapMin’s Big Vision and were commissioned to begin their own ministries at the local level where most state and national leaders begin their careers.
“Men traveled from Alaska to Florida and Delaware to Texas and one from Africa!” said Dr. Dan DeShong, CapMin’s LGM global director. “Their enthusiasm was palpable and infectious!”
Among them was Pastor Glenn Faris from Big Spring Texas who embraced the teaching about the directive found in both the Old and New Testaments and CapMin’s mandate—to reach political public servants first in priority with God’s Word.
“I see the importance, the need, and the biblical mandate to take the gospel to city hall, county, state, national, and every Capitol throughout the World!” Pastor Faris said.
“I will continue to establish lasting relationships with those in government, from the smallest areas to the largest, wherever the Spirit might lead for His glory!”
The four-day event was held at Gateway Seminary in Ontario, CA, Jan. 15-18. After successfully completing the training, the new recruits were certified and may now launch their own Bible studies. Many established LGM Bible teachers who lead successful ministries also attended the event to sharpen their skills and meet and mentor the new recruits.
CapMin’s intensely biblical training has been honed over 28 years of ministry to public servants and is essential for ministry success. Instruction is given in the priority of evangelism and discipleship, biblical teaching methods, the value of relationship building, why we do not lobby, Scriptural references that show the Bible’s priority for reaching political leaders with God’s Word, fundraising, and much more.
Instruction was provided by Ralph Drollinger, president and founder of CapMin; Dr. DeShong; Pastor Brian Solomon, global director for training; Pastor Brian Hanson, global international director; and Torrey Lewis, regional LGM director, Northwest.
Drollinger said the LGM training was very encouraging. “We used to rejoice over the addition of one new ministry start in a given year. This year we will, by God’s grace, be birthing 30 new LGMs throughout America!”
Last week, severe ice storms and low temperatures grounded many flights and prevented some new recruits from participating in the training. The men who missed the conference will either receive one-on-one instruction or attend a future training event.
After a year-long effort to recruit additional LGM ministry leaders, Drollinger said indications are that LGM will continue to grow at a faster pace.
“This is likened to CRU, Navigators, FCA, and YFC. It took quite a few years before they got into hockey stick growth,” he said. “We anticipate the same with LGM.”
CapMin leadership first thought that local ministries required its own training. However, after this experience, Drollinger said leadership sees no need to hold separate conferences.
“We now believe we should combine our trainings for local, state and federal candidates as well as for our veterans—our established ministry leaders—who have led successful ministries for years,” Drollinger said.
“We anticipate that each of our planned international Training Conferences this fall will attract 100 ministry leaders. Those are now scheduled and being planned for Cape Town, Brussels, Bogota, and Kathmandu.” Drollinger noted that local ministries are growing at an even faster rate in foreign nations.
Since 1996, CapMin has established 43 ministries to legislators in state Capitols and to Congressmen and White House Cabinet Members in Washington, D.C., and to provincial and national leaders in more than 60 foreign nations. CapMin is partnering with individuals and local churches to establish ministries to local leaders because the path for most career politicians begins in city and county government.
Dr. DeShong said the men said the training was thorough, detailed, systematic, and valuable. Here are some of their comments:
Alan Richard from Lewes, Delaware said he learned that CapMin had strong Scriptural underpinnings and that he enjoyed interacting with other ministry leaders. The training will help him develop a strategic approach to launch the ministry.
Mike Diaz from Seguin, Texas said he appreciates the donor tools CapMin provides to ministry leaders at no charge. He learned that it is important to keep in constant contact with Bible study participants or those who show an interest in participating. “I will use Capitol Ministries’ Bible studies because they are well written and are produced in a fashion that exudes professionalism.”
Greg Adams from Parker County, TX said he learned quite a lot from other ministry leaders who serve around the country. “I plan to teach one topic per month in 2024. I will reinforce by sending emails in between the face-to-face meetings.”
Keith Hill from Austin, Texas, said he enjoyed Pastor Solomon’s teaching on the five institutions God established on earth with the “hupotasso” submission context. “Hupotasso is a Greek military term meaning arranging troops in military style under a leader’s command. “I have taught that truth several times, but it was interesting how the Spirit will use others to emphasize certain points.”
VaShon Hampton of Orlando, FL, said, “The LGM training equipped us with ministry tools, resources, and goal-oriented objectives. I learned effective skills to disciple those in the political arena. I will start by contacting my local representatives beginning with The Board of County Commissioners, City Council, and State Board of Education.”
Morris Webster of Seaford, DE, said, “I will ask all those who I invite to a Bible study, ‘What can I pray for you?’ I’ll ask all to participate.”
Daniel Webster of Laurel, DE said, “Establishing a ministry is a long road to travel,” echoing what Ralph has often said — a successful ministry to public servants is measured in decades not weeks.
Dan Marshall, of Concord NC, said, “I was able to learn from those who taught us based upon their years of ministry experience. In turn, I had the opportunity to share with a younger man how to start a Bible study with local officials. We were practicing the biblical principle of 2 Timothy 2:2 in making disciples. I plan to utilize my ‘inside contact’ (a newly elected member) on the City Council to reach out to other council members and expand the participation in our Bible study.”
Dwayne Redding from Elyria, OH said, “This conference helped me to truly understand that as a disciple maker, I am commissioned to equip and enlighten political figures through the infallible Word of Truth. I learned how to adapt the concepts of CapMin to empower others in serving Christ. I am going to allow the Holy Spirit to present me with a Divine strategy to embark on a mission to find gatekeepers who will assist me in bringing this ministry into reality.”
