Scott Parker Purposes to Make Nevada Legislators “Thirsty For the Word”

While the legislature is out of session this summer, Scott Parker is sending Members of the Nevada Legislature his “Modicum of Sense” emails packed with the wisdom of Proverbs.

After completing his first year as Ministry Leader at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City, Pastor Parker is staying in touch with lawmakers through Scripture and written devotionals as he prepares for the next session that begins in 2021. 

The Nevada Legislature is one of only four states in the nation that meet in biennial sessions every other year. 

Nevada is also one of the least churched states in the nation according to a recent study, but that doesn’t give Pastor Parker pause. 

He recently retired as lead pastor from Sparks Christian Fellowship, a church he helped plant with another pastor 28 years ago from the mother church across town, Reno Christian Fellowship. 

Planted in a poor neighborhood, Sparks Christian attracted unbelievers, many of whom were struggling with addictions, and grew into a congregation of 1,200.  

“We wanted people who want to find out who God is, or who want to grow in their relationship with Christ,” Pastor Parker said. “Our message was, if you want to just sit in the pew don’t come to our church.”

Under Pastor Parker’s leadership, 23 healing and support groups were formed. During a campaign to raise $750,000 for a new church roof, the congregation raised $2 million and invested the remainder in missionaries they support around the world and in meeting the needs of people within the church’s zip code. 

Pastor Parker is right at home in his new mission field – reaching legislators with the Gospel in a state known for poor church attendance. 

“Yes, I live in the one of the least churched state in the nation,” he said. “And I love interacting with people who are not yet connected to Christ.” 

The first year in his legislative ministry, Pastor Parker taught Capitol Ministries Bible studies written by Ralph Drollinger and emailed lawmakers devotionals that he titled “Modicum of Sense.” Pastor Parker is now writing his own Bible studies that he will teach legislators in the next session. 

“I’ll be communicating in a way so people can understand difficult theological concepts,” he said. “My vision is to help people understand how relevant Jesus Christ is to each one of our lives and the strength and the healing he can provide us for all things that happen in life, that He became like us and He knows our struggles. I want them to come to a relationship with Christ.

“They say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Maybe so, but I can make him thirsty.”