Strengthening CapMin – Embracing the Biblical Two-by-Two Ministry Model

Following Jesus’ biblical example, CapMin is working to send ministry leaders two-by-two to teach weekly Bible studies to legislators inside U.S. state Capitols.

“We will be doing as Jesus did with the apostles and we’ll be working to send ministry leaders two-by-two,” said Pastor Matt Goodsell, CapMin North America global director. “This biblical mission methodology has several benefits.”

The team approach provides continuity of CapMin Bible studies in the event a ministry leader needs to be away or retires, ministry leaders can support and encourage each other, two Bible teachers would be available to disciple members, and each man will bring different gifts that will benefit the ministry.

Matt Goodsell is also ministry leader in the Missouri state Capitol and teaches five separate Bible studies to legislators and legislative aides.

He said employing the two-by-two concept ministry-wide occurred to him as he was having a conversation with Pastor Brian Solomon who co-leads the Ohio Bible legislative Bible study with Pastor Brian Hanson.

For many years, Pastor Hanson led weekly Bible studies to Ohio legislators and legislative aides by himself before he was named CapMin Director of international ministries. In that role, he is charged with growing the ministry around the world which requires a fair amount of travel.

To ensure the legislative studies were taught when he was away, Pastor Hanson invited his long-time friend Pastor Solomon to co-lead the study. This solution has provided many unexpected benefits.

“There are many highs and lows in this ministry, and probably more lows than highs,” Pastor Hanson said. “Sometimes you leave the Statehouse discouraged and it’s wonderful to have someone to bounce things off of when you hit those bumps in the road. You are in this together, in the good times and the tough times. And we each bring different gifts into the ministry.”

During his conversation with Pastor Solomon, it occurred to Pastor Goodsell that he had invited Pastor Robert Hayden to fill in for him while he was on the road for his other CapMin job as North America global director. Shortly thereafter, he invited Pastor Hayden to join him in leading the Missouri studies.  Pastor Randy Covington, Alaska ministry leader, has also recently brought on a co-leader.

With a growing appreciation for the ministry model, Pastor Goodsell discussed the two-by-two method with Ralph Drollinger, president and founder of CapMin, who very much liked the idea.

“In terms of launching the ministry 25 years ago, it was difficult to find just one ministry leader for a state capitol—given the newness of the idea,” Drollinger said “Now it seems the idea has grown to the point that it is easier to find an additional teammate—or two teammates relative to launching a new ministry.”

At the CapMin Recruiting and Training Conference held in D.C. in November, Pastor Goodsell told the men about the objective and encouraged them to recruit a qualified Bible teacher to lead along with them. All CapMin Bible teachers must successfully complete training and be certified before leading Bible studies. CapMin ministry leaders are self-supporting missionaries.

The men have been very enthusiastic about recruiting a partner and employing the two-by-two ministry approach.

“The ultimate objective is to have two men at every Capitol, fully funded by their own state,” Pastor Goodsell said.

He believes this objective can be easily achieved as ministry leaders are recruited through the new radio program Capitol Ministries Weekend with Ralph Drollinger.  The program is being aired on Salem Broadcasting Network’s Christian-format stations around the nation.

On the half-hour talk format program, Drollinger and Frank Sontag, discuss the Bible study that will be taught to national leaders in Washington, D.C. that week. Drollinger will also use the platform to recruit men to lead discipleship Bible studies to political leaders.
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