Jonathan Zachariou

“I’ve always believed that the Gospel needs to be shared in government, and I believe in believers—including pastors—running for office,” Pastor Zachariou said. “Part of the political debate should be, ‘What does the Lord say? What is ethical? What is right for people, and what is moral?’ We need the voice of the Lord in politics.”

Pastor Zachariou walked the halls of the California State Capitol in Sacramento for months, meeting and praying with people, before starting his weekly discipleship Bible study ministry in February 2025. He has received a warm welcome at the Capitol, even from legislators who openly shun God.

Part of the response can be attributed to his persona—open, congenial, warm, and friendly—while at the same time being uncompromising when it comes to God and His Word. Part of the welcome, too, can be attributed to the groundwork laid by much-loved Pastor Mike Shreve, who served as CapMin’s ministry leader in the Capitol for 10 years before retiring in 2024.

Pastor Zachariou comes to CapMin with much ministry experience. He has served as senior pastor of Davis Christian Assembly in Davis, CA, for 33 years. He graduated from Bethany University with a Bachelor of Science degree in theology and church leadership, with a minor in cross-cultural communication. For years, he served as a missionary in several European nations, concentrating mainly on Greece, where he was involved in evangelism, youth camps, and church planting.

As for why American culture continues to slide further away from God, openly embracing sin and immorality, for Pastor Zachariou there is no mystery. “We have abandoned politics as well as these secular legislators,” he said.

“We have created a vacuum that has nearly destroyed California, and now we are trying to figure out how this happened. We ran away—that’s what happened. So what is going to fill the void we created? Christian voices need to be in the Capitol, and ministry to unbelieving public servants needs to become a part of the Church’s mission. My vision for my ministry in the Capitol is to keep shining Jesus as much as possible, with the ultimate goal to strengthen the walk of believers and to make Christ known to those who do not know Him. Christ is the ultimate solution.”