Finding Refuge in God’s Word: Former Congressman Trent Franks Reflects on Three Decades with Capitol Ministries
Nearly thirty years ago, as Ralph and Danielle Drollinger were launching Capitol Ministries, former Arizona State Representative Trent Franks attended one of the ministry’s very first Bible studies. There were only two legislators in attendance: Trent and fellow state legislator Gary Giordano.
What began as a small weekly gathering around God’s Word became a defining part of Trent’s walk with Christ and a relationship with Capitol Ministries that continues today as he begins serving as Capitol Ministries’ Chairman of the Board.
Over nearly three decades, Trent has watched the ministry grow from those humble beginnings into an international outreach discipling political leaders around the world. Yet, for him, the heart of Capitol Ministries has never changed.
“The refuge that Capitol Ministries represents in their lives is almost impossible for me to overstate,” Trent said, referring to the men and women serving in public office today. “With all the pressures that members of Congress feel, having a place where they can come together around God’s Word is invaluable.”
Having experienced that refuge himself, Trent understands why the weekly Bible studies are so important.
Today, one of the greatest joys for him is knowing that, every week, elected leaders across the country—and around the world—are gathering to experience the same refuge in God’s Word that transformed his own life. “As I’m here in Arizona now most of the time, I know that once a week colleagues and precious friends are finding that refuge that I found,” he shared.
In a vocation marked by relentless demands, Capitol Ministries continues to provide a place where leaders can set aside political contention, open the Scriptures, and seek God’s wisdom for the responsibility He has entrusted to them.
For Trent, one of the unique strengths of Capitol Ministries has always been the opportunity for elected officials to study Scripture together, setting aside the demands of public office to focus on God’s truth.
“People can come together, put aside all of the political contention, and ask, ‘What is it that God would have us understand, and how can we apply that?’” he said.
As Trent reflects on nearly thirty years with Capitol Ministries—from being one of two legislators in attendance at those first Bible studies to now serving as Chairman of the Board—he remains grateful for God’s faithfulness and for the ministry’s unwavering commitment to teaching His Word. His prayer is that public servants around the world will continue to discover the same refuge in Christ and in Scripture that has strengthened him throughout his years of service.