New Ministry To Begin In Texas State Capitol
Working with former Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Capitol Ministries is pleased to announce that our newest discipleship ministry will soon launch in the great state of Texas!
The Texas leaders, who opened wide the doors and made important introductions, were instrumental in the creation of a regular Bible study in the Austin State Capitol Building in the Lone Star State.
In support of the ministry, Lt. Governor Patrick said, “Matthew 20:26 says for those who offer to lead you must first serve. In the Texas Capitol we are proud to partner with Capitol Ministries, a group that understands that important principle of leadership.”
Former Texas Gov. Perry, who attends a Capitol Ministries D.C. Bible study, has asked for prayer for the success of the new ministry.
“I am excited to be working with our White House Cabinet Bible study leader, Ralph Drollinger, to begin a similar work with my close friends and leaders in the Texas State Capitol,” former Gov. Perry said.
“Please be in prayer with me regarding the launch of this ministry.”
This year Drollinger, President and Founder of Capitol Ministries (CM), and Perry Gauthier, CM’s North America Director, have been concentrating on Capitol Ministries’ 20-year objective of creating ministries in all of America’s 50 state capitols.
“We are honored to be working with former Governor Rick Perry and with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in launching this new ministry to the legislators and constitutional officers in this great state,” Drollinger said.
“As a former Dallas Mavericks basketball player, I have a special affection for Texas, especially now with the devastation that the recent hurricane has inflicted upon hundreds of thousands of lives, as well as homes and businesses.”
Capitol Ministries has appointed Dr. David Smith of Austin to lead the ministry.
“It’s my passion for prayer that draws me to this opportunity,” Dr. Smith said.
“Capitol Ministries has a proven track record of developing Bible study discipleship ministries in state capitols that are so important to legislators and we in Texas don’t want to be left out of this vital mission.”
Gifted in evangelism and shepherding, Dr. Smith is executive director of the Austin Baptist Association, one of 70 such groups in Texas that are associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Smith is responsible for helping the 200-member churches in Austin begin new works as well as grow into healthy, sustainable congregations.
“I am delighted to serve in this important role,” Dr. Smith said.
“The leaders of states as well as nations need the Word of God in order to govern well, within His precepts, and according to His perfect will.”
This year Gauthier is touring 30 U.S. capitols, meeting with established Ministry Leaders as well as working with state leaders to create ministries in states that do not have them.
Gauthier is also Ministry Leader to the Nebraska legislature.
“After my visits, I am even more impressed with the need to make every state capitol campus much stronger for Christ’s sake,” Gauthier said. “And I am especially pleased to be working with Dr. David Smith, a man with strong abilities, talents, and a heart for God, in the launch of this new ministry.”
Drollinger joins former Texas Gov. Perry in requesting prayer for Dr. Smith and the new ministry.
“We are especially excited that God has raised up Dr. Smith to lead this endeavor,” Drollinger said. “Please be praying with us for the long-term effectiveness of this new State Capitol ministry.”