Congressman Steve Pearce tells Belarus Leaders – belief in God was central to U.S. Founding Fathers
May 2015
It was unprecedented — Congressman Steve Pearce became the first U.S. Congressman to address the Belarusian Parliament and he talked about a subject that would have been forbidden in this former Communist country only a few short years ago — the Holy Bible and its role in the founding of the United States.
In a speech before Belarusian national leaders on Thursday, U.S. Congressman Pearce, 2nd D, New Mexico, talked about how biblical concepts of truth, honesty, fairness, trust and hope — the underpinnings of the U.S. Constitution — can benefit the country that was once a part of the Soviet Union.
A high-ranking Parliament member of the Presidential Republic was receptive to Congressman Pearce and the two had a formal one hour meeting before his speech.
Congressman Pearce’s address was among a number of events planned for this week’s trip that was arranged at the invitation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who is examining ways to broaden the use of the Bible in the nation’s culture.
Ralph Drollinger, President and Founder of Capitol Ministries is leading a team in Belarus through a partnership with Russian-born Mikhail Morgulis, writer, theologian and President of the ministry Spiritual Diplomacy. Morgulis was asked by President Lukashenko to spearhead the Bible-infusion exploration. Among other efforts, the Capitol Ministries team is working to establish a discipleship Bible-teaching Bible study for national leaders.
Congressman Pearce is a leading Congressional Sponsor of Capitol Ministries in Washington DC.
After the Congressman’s speech, four leading Belarusian pastors said they plan to hand deliver printed copies of the speech to individual Parliament members and invite them to attend an off campus Bible study they will be teaching.
Danielle Drollinger represented the Washington D.C.’s Museum of The Bible in a meeting with the Belarusian minister of Public Education. She presented The Museum of the Bible’s Public School Curriculum, “The Bible As Literature,” a three year textbook series that integrates more than 400 iPad apps. The education officials were very receptive and said they will present the material to their decision making body.
On Saturday night, former Christian NBA players will compete with the Belarusian National Team on nationwide TV, and during the half-time show, will talk about their personal Christian testimonies and present the Gospel message to the nation.
A news team from The Christian Broadcasting Network traveled with the Capitol Ministries contingent and will be creating a television program on the trip and the outreach efforts. When it is completed, a link to the program will be found on the Capitol Ministries Website.
Ralph Drollinger has asked that partners and supporters continue to pray for the trip and for the success of the ministry partnerships in Belarus.