Dr. Ben Carson Lauds CapMin Bible Studies and Calls for Christian Political Leaders to be Bold in their Faith
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Speaking at the recent 50th annual ALEC Conference of legislators, Dr. Benjamin Carson talked about his ongoing participation in the CapMin White House Cabinet Bible study and challenged Christian public servants to be courageous in their faith to save our nation from collapse.
“We are in a difficult time in our nation right now. We are as close to losing that city on the Hill, being the beacon, as we have ever been,” Dr. Carson said.
“We have to have the courage to stand up for what we believe in because we cannot be the land of the free if we are not the home of the brave.”
Dr. Carson has participated in the former White House Cabinet and Senior Staff Bible study since it was formed by CapMin in 2020. The senior national leaders, now out of office, continue to meet weekly via Zoom with Ralph Drollinger, president and founder of CapMin, who leads the study.
Dr. Carson said he very much enjoyed participating in the study and poked fun at the “10-gallon words” used by Ralph who is known for his extensive vocabulary.
The world-renowned neurosurgeon who is also chairman and founder of the American Cornerstone Institute, was among several speakers who addressed political leaders from around the nation at the 50th annual American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference held recently in Orlando.
Capitol Ministries has hosted a booth at ALEC conferences for many years where our teams explain our mission to legislators to expand the ministry and distribute books, brochures, and Bible studies that are written specifically for political leaders.
ALEC is America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators who are dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.
ALEC conferences are always beneficial to furthering CapMin’s mission, and this year’s event was a particular standout said Dr. Cheyne Day, who leads a weekly Bible study to members of the Arkansas Legislature.
“The response was overwhelming,” Pastor Cheyne said. “There was so much gratitude for what we do and legislators from all over the country requested our books and weekly Bible studies.”
The CapMin booth was heavily visited during the conference. The team introduced the ministry to some legislators who had not yet heard of us and also welcomed back old friends.
Arkansas state Rep. Kendon Underwood, who participates in the Arkansas Bible study, spent some time at the booth to visit with and encourage Pastor Cheyne. “I’m sure you wonder if what you do makes a difference, and I want you to know that it absolutely does! Rep. Underwood said. “We all know you care about us and that means a lot!”
Representing CapMin were Pastor Cheyne and Misty Day and Pastor Brian and Mandi Hanson. Pastor Hanson is CapMin’s International Director and co-leader of the weekly Bible study to Ohio Legislators. Misty is CapMin’s conference coordinator.
“We heard so many “thank yous” for not only what we do and how desperately Bible studies are needed, but for also simply being present at ALEC. We often speak of the ‘Ministry of Presence’ and how it can be felt and energize others so they may become involved. That was the case at ALEC,” Pastor Brian said. “We had people coming by the booth until the very end – literally – as we were starting to take down the booth.”
Sixty-five legislators filled out cards requesting copies of the books, Oaks in Office: Biblical Essays for Political Leaders and All in Authority: Reigniting the Bible’s Top-Down Missions Strategy and asking to receive Ralph’s Bible studies that are written specifically for political leaders and distributed weekly via email.
After the conference, Pastor Cheyne created a spreadsheet with the contact information of lawmakers who expressed an interest in participating in a CapMin Bible study. He then worked with Pastor Brian and with Matt Goodsell, Missouri ministry leader and North America assistant director to share that contact information with the appropriate state ministry leader.
One of the highlights was a morning devotional led by Dr. Carson. Pastor Cheyne had handed out 200 invitations to the event.
Before a standing-room only crowd, Dr. Carson talked about how much the CapMin Bible study means to him and about how God had worked through him to accomplish His goals. He then encouraged lawmakers to lead with humility and courage by standing on principles and protecting people “from the womb to the tomb.”
“Dr. Carson’s soft-spoken, yet powerful message was moving,” Pastor Cheyne said. “He inspired everyone to remember what the pledge of allegiance truly means as he broke it down section by section.
“As he shared personal stories intertwined with Scripture and American history, the attendees hung on his every word and responded with a mixture of somber reflection, laughter, and tears.”
Concluding with a call to righteousness, Dr. Carson encouraged leaders NOT to give up. He brought the group to a standing ovation when he ended with a reminder that God was willing to save Sodom and Gomorrah for a righteous few and that the room they were in held a lot more people than a few.
The children of legislators also attended the conference and participated in “Kids Congress.” About 20 of those children enjoyed story time with Dr. Carson and his wife Candy who read Freedom of Bark, a book about freedom of speech provided under the First Amendment.
Please join us in praying that the relationships that began at the conference will grow and that God would bless the teaching of His Word in Capitols in the U.S. and around the world. ALEC is integral to CapMin’s founding, original objective in 1996 to create 50 strong ministries in all 50 state Capitols.
