New Hampshire Ministry Tailors Bible Studies To Tough Issues Public Servants Face

March 2015

How does one walk with integrity in public life? How should a Public Servant handle disappointments, especially when he comes under fire for doing what he believes is right?

These emotionally charged issues are two that confront Public Servants on a regular basis, said Peter Chamberland, who in January began a discipleship and Bible study ministry to state Public Servants and Constitutional Officers in the New Hampshire state Capitol.

Because they are continuing themes, Pastor Chamberland examined what God’s Word says about “Integrity” and “Disappointment” in his first studies.

“I am trying to tailor the Bible Studies to things that the members go through,” Pastor Chamberland said. “I am hearing that the Bible studies and prayer time are very encouraging to them.”

The Bible study and discipleship ministry that began Jan. 7 is an outreach of the Granite State Baptist Church in Concord where Pastor Chamberland is senior pastor. It is sponsored in the Capitol by Representative Warren Groen, R- Rochester who feels discipleship and a Bible study are vital for Public Servants.

“New Hampshire makes so many decisions from a secular perspective without the weight of God’s Word being brought to bear,” Rep. Groen said. “It’s important that somebody speaks to the issues from a biblical perspective because there is very little of that happening in the house and in committees.

“I have been gaveled down in committee for going off the subject,” he said. “I say it is very much on subject because you are talking about creation and I am talking about the Creator.”

Pastor Chamberland and his wife, Crystal, offer prayer and refreshments at the Capitol every week, even when the Legislature isn’t in session but members are there for committee meetings and hearings. Before coming to New Hampshire where they established the Granite State Baptist Church, the couple served 15 years as prison missionaries with Rock of Ages Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The Capitol Bible study began slowly with two in attendance and had grown to six by the time Pastor Chamberland presented his third study.

“I am very encouraged the church is excited,” Pastor Chamberland said. “Our church prays for every one of the members (in our Bible Study) every week. Now we will have the opportunity to start building.”

If you would like to join Pastor Chamberland’s prayer team, and/or give to his ministry, you can contact him directly at nhcapitolbiblestudy@gmail.com.