Interview with former U.S. Governor Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin).

Thank you Governor Walker for taking time to talk about Capitol Ministries today. How long have you been involved in the studies?

Governor Walker: It’s been several years now. I think it was maybe a year or two after I was governor, so probably 2019, 2020, right around that spot. At least five or six years ago. I saw Ralph at a governors’ meetings. They still let former governors attend, and he was telling me about what he was doing with governors, and what he’d done with the Cabinet and the House and the Senate. I was impressed with it. And then he invited me to join in on one of the sessions, and it just took off from there.

It was fascinating to be with a number of great folks that I knew. People like Rick Perry that I knew well from being a governor, and of course then he was in the Cabinet. And Brooke Simmons, who actually worked for Rick, but then came into her own right when she was down in Texas at the public policy forum there, then, of course, at the White House. Ben Carson, who I’ve known and admired for years, and just all sorts of good folks. Then I got to know plenty of others.

I’ve found not just in the number of years being involved, but I really look forward to Wednesday mornings, getting together in prayer, and then to study God’s Word. It’s just so powerful.

How has that fellowship and the study impacted your personal faith journey? 

Governor Walker: Again, it’s something I really look forward to. Instead of it being a task or a burden, it becomes something I’m eager to be a part of. It’s a refreshing part of my week. It reinforces all that I do. My dad was a pastor, and he used to say, “You know it’s great to see people on Sunday, but you need to be a Christian every other day of the week too.”

So, having that study in the middle of the week is a great reminder to live our faith all week long in everything and in every way. I found it to be a great inspiration, a great lifting up for me personally.

And secondly, the more we get into God’s Word, the more we study it not just through the Bible study leader, but through the interactions with the rest of us. This morning was a great example. There are great insights from our leader, and also from others commenting on not just what they feel, but even things they had learned. For example, we were in Galatians today and in the third chapter where the reference is to Abraham—going all the way back to Genesis. One of our colleagues, another governor, happened to point out something Abraham had done that even the others said they hadn’t realized.

The more we know about God’s Word, the more powerful and impactful that it is. Growing closer is incredibly important in any relationship, be it a marriage or friendship, to spend more time with that person, to get to know them better. And every time we’re steeped in the Bible, that we’re focused on God’s Word, we grow closer to God. It’s just so powerful!

It really is! How would you say that fellowship and that study time together, translates into the application of biblical principles in the public policy world or in public servants who are elected to office? 

Governor Walker: Well, there’s a great amount of affirmation, in the sense of things that we know to be true being affirmed through studying God’s Word and talking about it together with other people who are in positions of public trust. So, first and foremost, even if you feel like you’re on the right track for the things you’re doing well, it affirms those.

I think the other great benefit is even if we’re heading in the right direction, the world is full of distractions. Not just the obvious evil ones, but the distractions that just take your focus off of what God’s calling is. Not just getting together, not just reading through the Bible, but really studying it, being deliberate about it, comparing it to other passages, is just so helpful to think about how to apply it to your life.

And when you apply it to your life, it’s not a stretch then to realize that makes you think, “Am I living the life God’s calling me to?” Not just personally in my own family, in my own household, but how does it apply to the work I’m doing? That impacts other people in my state, in my country, in my world, and all those I have influence with. That really does have a major impact not only on the policy itself, but even how we engage in those debates, how we engage in those discussions, how we lead.

It’s very much impacted by what we study each week.

Absolutely. And I know our nation has had challenging times since its formation. How do you see the Lord at work through elected officials and public policy leaders who do walk with the Lord? How do you see that reality and the faith making a difference in what’s happening in our nation right now? What role do we have as Christians to be engaged and involved? I know that’s probably a four-part question, but would appreciate your comments on those. 

Governor Walker: One of the images that comes to mind is Christ walking out to the boat, the disciples being scared, and Peter wanting to be brave. He walks out towards Christ. But then in a very human moment, looks down at the waves and starts to sink. It’s only when he reestablishes his vision on Christ that he’s saved—quite  literally—from what would’ve been a horrible drowning.

I think it’s a powerful reminder to us as Christians that if we stay focused on Christ, even in a world full of storms and chaos, big waves, challenges, even when things seem completely out of control, we can be in control not because we are, but because we’re centered on Christ. I think that helps not just on specific policy, but that helps provide the kind of calm and steady leadership that’s required at times like this.

It doesn’t come from us. It comes from being grounded in our faith, and our eyes firmly on Christ.

Right! And that brings him glory as well, as people look at [the process] and the tone.

Governor Walker: Here’s another benefit to the group. It’s not just studying God’s Word, seeing how it applies to life, but in a way holding each other accountable for what we say, how we live. That’s really powerful because if you really want to reach the masses, you can’t be afraid to talk, but you also have to, more than anything, show it in how you live.

Yes, that is that is true. Governor, what would you say to a colleague who might be a little hesitant about joining the governors and Cabinet study? 

Governor Walker: I think that probably the number one concern anyone in public life, even in the media or otherwise might have is thinking, “Oh, I don’t know. They probably all know more about the Bible than I do.” Particularly, over the years when Ralph was leading, we all chuckled that no matter how much any of us knew, he knew 10 times more. Not in a boisterous way, but just because he was immersed in God’s Word and loved to study. We were blessed by being a part of it and continue to be now too.

I would just say that there’s no test, that the most important thing is that all are welcome. It doesn’t matter how much time you’ve spent in God’s Word. Everyone is welcome at this study, and you will be blessed every single time.

If you could sum up the Bible study in a sentence or two, how would you describe it? 

Governor Walker: A powerful gathering of people seeking to do God’s will, who are immersed in His Word every week in a way that’s much more powerful than we ever dreamed possible.