Michigan Legislature — Open to the Word and Observing 100th Session

As the Michigan State Legislature commences its 100th session this year, Dr. Dean Mathis begins the 7th year of his Capitol Ministries Bible study ministry to lawmakers in the Great Lakes state.

It’s a ministry that he says has blessed him as much as it has blessed those whom he serves.

“I’ve seen the hand of God so many times,” Dr. Mathis said. “And, I’ve been a little touched by the fact that legislators always introduce me when they see me in the capitol. They say, ‘This is a man of God here, he teaches the Word to us.’”

“This is not a hostile environment to the Bible at all. I know there are some parts of the country where that is not true at all, but here it is true.”

In the legislature’s centennial year, Dr. Mathis is recommitted to creating a sit-down Bible study which has been a goal since 2012 when his ministry began.

“There is an unreached people group in the legislature who I hope to reach though a sit-down study and I need prayer support because I will have to open some doors to get that done.”

Gathering Legislators for a weekly study proved difficult in Michigan because the majority of legislators are from the Lower Peninsula and are able to commute to centrally-located Lansing every day.

Undeterred, and with the help of a volunteer from a supporting local church, Dr. Mathis recorded his Bible studies on CDs so legislators could listen to them in their vehicles as they travel to and from Lansing. A rousing success, the Windshield Ministry was born and the demand for Bible study CDs has grown every year.

One legislator told him that “all the chaos buzzing” in his head just goes away as he listens to the Bible studies on his drive home.

Another has said that he listens to the Bible study on the commute and then when he gets home, he listens to it again.

A familiar face at the Michigan Capitol, Dr. Mathis receives telephone calls and is often stopped on steps or in hallways by legislators who ask if he would please stop by their office to pray with them.

Last year, Dr. Mathis recorded 15 Bible studies on CDs and distributed 762 of them to legislators, with an additional 150 given to supporters and people who request them.

Committed to in-depth Bible studies, Dr. Mathis believes they are vital for legislators for a number of reasons.

“The Bible gives us the mind of God and if we want to think straightly, we must study His Word. Scripture tells us that Christ is the sum total of all knowledge.

“He is our starting point. That is where we develop our world view, and if we don’t, we are not going to know the truth. We will make erroneous decisions not only about personal morals, but also about law.”

If you wish to offer prayer or support to Rev. Mathis you may contact him at dean.mathis@capmin.org