Ministry Leaders to Missouri Legislators Are Focusing on Evangelism and Unity Among Christians
In the six years he’s served as Missouri Ministry Leader, Pastor Matt Goodsell has seen spiritual growth among public servants who participate in the weekly Bible studies, and this year he and ministry partner Pastor Robert Hayden are building on that fruit by encouraging evangelism and unity among Christians in the Capitol.
“Unity is important. We see so much disunity, we see such hatred. We see individuals who profess Christ and yet they will do things that show they are out of fellowship,” Pastor Goodsell said. “We are trying to establish unity between the Christians in this building.”
Pastor Goodsell and Pastor Hayden, who joined with CapMin last year, lead three separate Bible studies in the Missouri State Capitol and are working to expand participation.
“It is great that we are reaching those who are biblically minded and have a biblical worldview, but we are also called to reach out to those who are lost,” Pastor Hayden said. “So this year we are reaching those people to speak the Gospel to them.”
The two-by-two ministry approach, which CapMin is encouraging in all state capitol ministries, has allowed the men to reach more people in the Capitol, support each other, provide back-up when necessary, and minister to more people.
On Monday mornings, Pastor Hayden leads the legislative aide Bible study which has 8-10 regular participants. Pastor Goodsell leads the Wednesday mornings study to three regularly attending Senators, and the Thursday mornings study to an average 17 Representatives who meet in the office of Chad Perkins, the Speaker Pro Tempore.
Participants in each study number about 10 percent of their respective groups in the Capitol. “That means, we still have 90 percent of people who are doing the work for the citizens of Missouri that we need to reach with the Gospel,” said Pastor Hayden.
The pastors are also building relationships. Arriving early, they have opportunities to talk with Capitol Police who man the doors and with building staff who they often see throughout the building. “The opportunity for relationships are all around us,” Pastor Hayden said. “Matt has been here for six years and we are starting to see the fruit of the energy he has expended.”
The pastors are also seeking out office holders and staff. “We are in the minority, but you turn a light on and it dispels darkness,” Pastor Hayden said. “Sometimes, right to your face people say, ‘I don’t want anything to do with any of that (Christianity),’ but we still make an effort to stop by every month with a Bible study. And then you see others who are questioning, who are seeking, and we are there to answer questions and invite them to Bible study.”
Their secondary goal for this year is to create unity among Christians so that bonds may be established that will provide a source of support in the workplace that transcends political differences.
“We have a solid group of men and women who are in Bible study every week, and those who are humble understand that they may not vote the same way on issues, but that none of that is eternal,” Pastor Goodsell said. “What is eternal is the salvation of the people we’ve shared the Gospel with, the people who come to Christ. And I am very much encouraging them to be evangelistic and invite their colleagues to Bible study.”
While many participants are freshmen and new to the Bible studies, the senior lawmakers who have studied the Bible with Pastor Goodsell for years are showing a rekindled awareness of their calling in the political arena.
“They have a renewed understanding of what it is to be a child in the kingdom of God and that wherever God places you is your mission field. They understand that those who are around them are the ones they are called to evangelize—and that is their No. 1 calling.”
The pastors are teaching Ralph Drollinger’s Bible studies in the Capitol, which has been met with enthusiastic response.
“Every single one of them has been received very well,” Pastor Goodsell said. “Humility has been hit pretty hard this year. We’ve had discussions about what it means to be humble and that their primary goal should not be to build their political careers.
“Some people may be challenged by that, but overall, they see that there is a bigger purpose to their being at the Capitol. If they want to do well in office, they’d best know the Word of God and be directed in the right way. In Bible study, there is a lot of accountability.”
“I’ve just seen a renewed hunger for the Word of God. Many of them know if they want to do well in office they need to learn the Word of God and be direct in the right way.”
“Just this week I was asked about a bill that they had to vote on. I answered that I don’t get into any of that as we don’t discuss legislation. And a few of them answered, ‘That’s great! That’s the best answer you could give.’ I am sticking to what I am called to do and that is to bring the Word of God to them.”
This year, the pastors are also hoping to partner with more supporters who can help defray some of the costs of ministry. The cost of printing high-quality four-color Bible studies alone can range from $1,200 to $2,400 every month.
CapMin Ministry Leaders are self-supporting missionaries. Please click on Pastor Goodsell and Pastor Hayden if you wish to support their ministries.