2019 Winter Newsletter

Christmas Wrap-Up ~2019~

Indiana State Senator Makes Profession of Faith

Indiana State Senator Frank Mrvan was hospitalized for much of the 2019 legislative session. However, a pastor had begun a relationship with him that yielded eternal fruit! The pastor visited Senator Mrvan while he was receiving care and explained the plan of salvation and the need to be born again. In this short video clip from his speech to the Senate on Nov. 20, 2019 Sen. Mrvan gives his "Born Again Birthday" as March 25, 2019!

What a year! Here are a few highlights…

We kicked off 2019 with our 15th Annual Statehouse Prayer Service in January, attended by 800-1,000 individuals. Nearly 100 showed up for Pastors' Statehouse Day in February and dozens of Bibles were given to newly elected leaders. More than 200 ladies came to Women's Statehouse Day in April. Along with these more extensive events, our Bagels and Books (B&B) events every other week were attended by 150+ individuals who work in the Statehouse. As we gave out breakfast and Christian resources at the B&B's, we had the opportunity to pray for and converse with much of the Capitol community. All of these events were just a small portion of the opportunities our PSP team had to minister every day.

INDIANA STATEHOUSE - This year at the Statehouse, we hosted Monday morning prayer times, women's Bible studies on Tuesdays, Thursday chapel services, and Bible studies on Fridays that are open to all. During session, we added a legislators-only Bible study and a young professionals Bible study for staff and interns. Along with these studies, we provided counseling and discipleship, prayer support and friendship. Scattered among the daily ministry opportunities, I also had the heavy responsibility of preaching funerals and the far more pleasant joys of marriage counseling and weddings. Needless to say, like any ministry, the needs were plenteous and the time insufficient. INTERNATIONAL **- Besides the ministry at the state level, our team was blessed to be in 3 different foreign countries this year: Brazil, Israel, and India. The opportunities for ministry to political leaders is truly global and the potential is overwhelming. Please pray for wisdom in how we should allocate resources to these open doors internationally. **NATIONAL - On the national level, our website was completely redesigned this year by Miriam's brother, Nathan Amick. We are THRILLED with the new look and updated site! It is still a work in progress and we don't have the daily email back up and running yet, so please pray we can get this done soon. On the site, we currently post three legislators to pray for daily in each state across the nation. That's 150 leaders nationwide every day. Each post contains their state, picture, and name. This is a remarkable tool being used in all 50 states to assist churches and individuals in making it a priority to pray for "those in authority." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) LOCAL - Pastor and Chaplain Tim Lindsey is still faithfully cultivating and pioneering the work at the local government level. (See his update in this newsletter.) He has also brought along a new member of the team to work with the women in the city county building and beyond. (See Rita Bowman update.) Tim is doing a fantastic job establishing a model and a template that can be used across our state. We are excited about the possibilities of seeing pastors provide pastoral care to their elected and appointed leaders in all of Indiana's 92 counties. Please pray for this effort we are calling Project 1816. FAIRHAVEN - Last, but not least, is our family's new ministry campus we have been building for the past four years on the Southeast side of Indianapolis. It will serve as both our home and our ministry's hospitality center. We call it Fairhaven. The big vision is to host gatherings of leaders in various spheres of influence, to foster and further the kingdom of God in all areas of life. We will obviously have a focus on leaders in the political arena, providing a "fair haven" for them to come to, especially while they are staying in Indianapolis during session and are away from their families. However, we also have the broader vision of hosting and encouraging all leaders - gathering leaders not just in the political arena, but in pastoral, educational, artistic, business, and other areas to grow in Christ at Fairhaven. We hope to complete the new building in the next few months and then we will begin remodeling the older home on the property to be used as campus housing. Special thanks to all who have sacrificially helped with this long and difficult process. We are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. THANK YOU! - Overall, it has been an especially full, stretching year for our family and our ministry. We are amazed at the doors of ministry the Lord continues to open and the expansion of His ministry. As we look to the coming year, we're asking for prayers for wisdom as to which ministry needs we should focus on. We often experience feelings of inadequacy as we seek God's will in navigating these many opportunities and we appreciate your prayers and support more than you can know. Thank you, dear friends! *Matt*

______________ Women’s Ministry

In the past year, various counties, churches, and homes have been host to a total of thirteen PSP Women’s Ministry Awareness Teas. (You know how much I love tea!) Some have been extremely elaborate, a true high tea, and some have been quite simply and tastefully done; but all have been attended by guests excited to hear how PSP is being used by the Lord to reach our elected leaders. Most are amazed to hear that God is truly at work in the political arena. They also appreciate finding out that we provide online tools to help make praying for leaders more simple. Statewide leaders, legislators, and local leaders that have attended these events have been surprised and pleased to find groups that are and will pray for them. “I need it!” is their usual response. So in the next year, my goal, Lord willing, is to make more such connections between leaders and groups that will commit to pray for them. If you would like to be part of this, don’t hesitate to contact me. Of course, we would not have had this much success without the able assistance of Jessica Ray. Jessica has been with us for more than a year now, and I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing her on board and for all that she does to assist us with the ladies' ministry.

Women's Statehouse Day

On a further note, I would like to invite all the ladies to attend our 2020 Women's Statehouse Day on February 26, **from 9am-2pm**. For more information click this link http://thepsp.org/events/women's-Statehouse-day. Or click here to register. With gratitude to the Lord, I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Christmas and New Year!

*Pam*

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Twitter December 2019

The world of social media is constantly changing: new algorithms, different rules/policies, upgrades, etc. but we can be thankful Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Due to some unforeseen providences as well and technical glitches, PSP social media fluctuated this year. Thankfully, the excellent technical skills of Miriam's brother led PSP to a completely redesigned website from which we are seeing much further social media engagement. With more than 30,000 Twitter followers, we get notes of thanks and “likes” daily from leaders and others across the nation. Please pray for continued outreach and fruitful interaction!

Minnesota Rep Peggy Bennett states: “Your prayers are much appreciated!”

New Hampshire Rep Victoria Sullivan: “Thank you. I welcome and appreciate your prayers”

Texas Rep Philip Cortez PhD “Thank you for the prayers!”

A follower from Nebraska states,” Yes! The day is quickly approaching in the Western Church when prayer and fasting will be a first resort, not a last resort.”

Indiana Senator Mike Crider: “I appreciate receiving notice I’m being prayed for—on the very day I need it most.”

A follower from Illinois states, “I want to thank you for all you’re doing… There’s no way of knowing how many folks take your messages to heart, and pray over them. But your light shines brightly."

Texas Rep James White: “Thank you so much for this prayer. God bless.”

A follower from Montana: “Yes amen. May the Lord reveal himself to all our leaders throughout the USA, and all the world. May he work in mysterious ways making himself known to them, the Savior of the world, in his great love, glory, power, dominion, and majesty unto salvation.”

Alaska Rep Sharon Jackson, “Thank you so much!”

Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon, “Thank you.”

Texas Congressman Randy Weber: “James 5:16 basically says 'The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much...' Lincoln said: 'But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us...' Thank y’all for praying!”

"Dear Debbie, ...I was glad too for the reminder of all of you praying for the nation… I feel the urgency of the hour. Only the Lord can expose and defeat the principalities and powers. God bless. Warmly, Os Guinness"

*“Hear my prayer for our rulers and country, for all who exercise authority, or enact laws, or pronounce judicial decisions. Enlighten those who teach, or write books, or edit newspapers. Give peace in our time I pray.”*F.B. Meyer **(1847-1929, London) *Debbie Magnuson***

______________ Indy City County Ministry & Project 1816

Change: It all happens so quickly!

In Indianapolis, it seems as if city/county employees are moving all the time. Their offices get moved; they accept new positions; they start fresh in a new career. Often, they just move a few floors up or down in the City-County Building. Sometimes, they head to IndyGo, IFD Headquarters, or out of public service altogether. After working hard to build relationships and minister to these leaders in Indianapolis this year, it was easy to get discouraged if they moved on. Then we realized that it was actually a great blessing not yet discovered. Each new move opened the door for ministry within each individual's new department, and we now have the opportunity to minister to hundreds of people we otherwise would not have met. The ministry at the City-County Building started in one office on one floor; now, we are welcomed all over the building. This was able to happen, in large part, because people keep moving jobs! With the recent municipal elections, the Indianapolis & Marion County City-County Council will be welcoming 11 (of 25) new councilors in January. Saying goodbye to so many public servants at once is hard, but the new horizon brings opportunities for continued prayer and pastoral care. When PSP was introduced to the new councilors, they were thrilled to know that they will be mentioned in prayer. They gladly gave out their email addresses and indicates that they would gratefully anticipate their “special day” when our city would be praying for them and their districts. We look forward to serving the new City-County Council in 2020!

Project 1816 keeps growing!

With ministries in Dearborn, Harrison, Johnson, Lake, Madison, Marion, Morgan, & Posey counties, we are thrilled to watch Project 1816 expand. Every local ministry is unique, but they universally have an individual who volunteers their time to pray for and invest in their local government. If you are interested in ministering to your local public servants, we would love the opportunity to support you in our prayers and to provide suggestions and help. We would even be thrilled to accompany you to a meeting to get you started. Let us know!

*Tim Lindsey*

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Indy City County & Fire Department Women's Ministry

It is a blessing and a privilege to be a part of the Public Servants' Prayer ministry team and to lead the

Ladies’ Bible studies at the Indianapolis City County Building (CCB) and Indianapolis Fire Department Headquarters (IFDH). We are currently going through the book of Genesis and just completed the study of Cain and Abel in our newest study group at IFDH, and are beginning our study of God’s covenant with Abraham in the CCB. The ladies in both groups enthusiastically participated in our Thanksgiving “Be a Blessing” outreach project. Together, they worked diligently to create beautiful gift bags filled with personalized cards, gifts, and special treats for a combined total of 48 women, praying for each of the women receiving the gifts by name. The gift bags were a surprise and a special blessing to the ladies at both the IFDH and the CCB. We were able to personally deliver gift bags to the ladies in the City Council and Clerk’s offices with an invitation to attend the Bible studies whenever they are able. It was our intention to be a blessing to them. However, I believe they were a tremendous blessing to us. The gifts brought smiles and tears and the ladies rewarded each of us with a hug. The sweetest blessing of all was praying with the ladies one by one and the spontaneous circle of prayer in one of the offices. These dear ladies hold a special place in my heart and I am eager to see what God has planned for each of them and the Public Servants' Prayer ministry team in 2020 and beyond.

Serving Christ together until He comes,

*Rita Bowman*

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Simply Blessed

I have only officially been part of the PSP team for a month. However, I have had the opportunity to volunteer numerous times over the last year. Events such as Books & Bagels, the Annual Statehouse Prayer Service, Pastor's Statehouse Day, and the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast have been just some of the highlights of my year with PSP. I have truly been blessed to be but a small part of such an amazing team of God's people. A sign that I saw recently proclaimed, "Simply Blessed," and that is a perfect way to describe what it is like to be part of this amazing team. The interactions we have with Indiana leadership are truly a blessing. Seeing God work in government is a pretty tremendous experience, and God is working in the Indiana Statehouse! What an incredible freedom we have to stand with our state leaders in prayer; but more importantly, what an challenging responsibility. So as we enter into 2020, I hope and pray that everyone takes inventory of everything God has done and realizes that we are all....simply blessed!

*Kevin Wolfe*

______________ Embracing Hope

"And *HOPE *maketh not ashamed; because the *Loveof God* is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5****

In a world that often seems so grim with political upheaval, medical trauma, financial instability, and broken relationships, hope is hard to hold on to. Having the privilege of ministering this past year with Public Servants’ Prayer, I have watched God work in miraculous ways in regions of this world that in the past may have seemed hopeless. As our PSP team traveled to Israel, I witnessed 65 nations represent Christ by coming to pray at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. Through PSP's ministry trips to Brazil and India, we were once more reminded that God is raising up Christian leaders in surprising places worldwide. I have not even begun to tell of the transforming works God has been accomplishing in the lives of those at our very own Indiana Statehouse. Through the daily work of prayer and consistent weekly Bible studies, we have observed God creating an encouraging depth of relationship with our Lord Jesus in many staff and legislators! He has truly never stopped working. I know that in the same way that He is working on the grand scale of this world, His eye is ever so keenly watching His sparrows. That broken thing, that new beginning in your life will become a masterpiece if placed in the Master’s hand. He is moving His pen to redeem your story and restore your soul. I pray that this Christmas and New Year, the Holy Spirit infuses your heart with courage again to HOPE *that He will indeed work all things together for GOOD in His perfect way and time. **"Rejoicing in *HOPE, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer." Romans 12:12**

*Jessica Ray*

__We are so thankful for all of your prayers and support! __ Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, from your Public Servants’ Prayer Team!