2022 Spring Newsletter

~STATEHOUSE UPDATES

MATTHEW BARNES, STATEHOUSE CHAPLAIN

Each Session has a unique flavor to it, and this year was no exception. Our team felt a closeness and warmth with the leaders and staff as we had never experienced before. We are so thankful!

The 2022 Session kicked off in the "traditional" way with the 18th Annual Statehouse Prayer Service. When we first started the prayer service, we had no idea it would become such a staple in the Statehouse community. Praise the Lord!

Our weekly, in-person Legislator Bible studies had record attendance again this year. It was a highlight of my week to see 30-40 leaders in the Governor's office gathering for prayer and the study of God's Word! We are walking through Romans this year, and it has added great depth to relationships between the Lord and fellow leaders.

Our bi-weekly Bagels and Books event was again well attended. One morning, before the usual crowd began to form, a few of our team members gathered to pray. Pam noticed that a staffer had approached and motioned for them to go ahead through the line. Instead, they asked to join in prayer. After a few moments, tears were noticeable in the staffer's eyes. Upon inquiry, the staffer explained that they bring home the books from each event and share them with their granddaughter. As a result of reading those books, the granddaughter was getting baptized that Sunday! Praise the Lord!

On a sobering note, you may not think of the Statehouse as being a place where depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicide would be factors; but they are. One young staffer committed suicide in December. Following this occurrence, we also received an anonymous note in the Statehouse chapel “prayer box” expressing hopelessness and their desire to die. Please pray for this person, and please pray that we will be able to share with them the love of Jesus!

Thank you for your prayers and support!

CH Matt Barnes ~ Statehouse Prayer Service

PAM RUSSELL, STATEHOUSE WOMEN'S CHAPLAIN

The pressures of bill-reading deadlines and long nights are behind us once again as the 2022 Legislative Session has adjourned Sine Dei. It was a fast roller-coaster ride to the finish but was very fruitful as the Lord did exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Praise Him!

I endeavored to try two new initiatives this Session. The first was a weekly dinner in my home for the women of the legislature to get away for the evening and relax together over a home-cooked meal. It proved to be a bridge for important conversations. Also, I started a game-night fellowship for the student interns that fill the Statehouse during Session. They were excited to find that there was something just for them to enjoy. We will see legislators again through the year, but we may never see those interns again. We have only a short time to reach them.

Women’s Statehouse Day overflowed with the Lord’s blessings! Thank you, ladies, for coming from near and far and for joining us online. Many of you have said how much it meant to you to meet your legislators and pray with and for them. They so appreciate your prayers; the day is as much an encouragement to them as it is to you - not to mention the extra blessing of song from the young ladies of Hebron! Thank you for your ministry!

Our team would appreciate your prayers as we now transition to “normal” ministry work. Thank the Lord for all He has done and thank you for your prayers that strengthen us for the call!

All glory to God!

CH Pam Russell ~ Women's Statehouse Day

VICKI MAUGHMER, JUDICIAL PRAYER DIRECTOR

Matthew 7:7 ~ “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Praise the Lord for opening doors to the judiciary! In the past weeks, Matt, Pam, and I have met with justices and judges from the Supreme and Appellate Courts seeking input for effective ways PSP can support and minister to them. Conversations were made possible as some attend our bi-weekly Bagels and Books held during the Legislative Session. At Women’s Statehouse Day, Appellate Court Judge Elizabeth Tavitas gave a prayer for the judiciary, and PSP gave gift bags to all those serving the courts. Opportunities have also arisen to provide prayer support for those trial court judges facing difficult circumstances. It has been quite rewarding to see God grant us favor and open doors in ways that only He can.

Thank you for supporting PSP with your prayers. Below are specific prayer requests for the judiciary: Pray for judges as they encounter the everyday challenges of serving on the bench. Pray for the protection of the judges and their families. Pray for the U.S. and Indiana Supreme Courts as both seek to choose a replacement.

JESSICA RAY, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

One of my favorite things about Session this year was our Thursday chapel services. Each service began and ended with a hymn and prayer, and I could be found smiling ear to ear as beautiful harmonies reverberated off the chapel walls. Different legislators filled the role of guest speaker from week to week, and it was such an honor to hear their hearts for the Lord and how He has been speaking to them personally.

In the chapel, perhaps like no other place in the Statehouse, it seems that labels of Democrat and Republican are allowed to fall away for a short time, as together we focus our attention on the ONENESS of mission and heart we have in Jesus Christ. Just a few of the topics presented to us this year from our leaders included the trials of Job and trusting that God is GOOD even when we do not see it yet; the importance and relational nature of prayer; the courage of Esther to humbly and wisely approach the King and ultimately save her people in “such a time as this”; the commitment to making our lives an “art of worship” through our faithfulness to God in prayer, Scripture, fasting, and Sabbath Day rest; and the need and blessing of obeying God even when we do not feel like it or understand His purpose. I was richly blessed and encouraged through these special times together and hope for many more of these opportunities in years to come.

Rep. Vernon Smith ~ Speaking in Statehouse Chapel Service

RITA BOWMAN, WOMEN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR, CITY-COUNTY BUILDING

Women’s Statehouse Day We experienced many blessings during Women’s Statehouse Day this year. Our Statehouse is truly a “house of prayer,” and we sensed God’s presence. James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…”

My heart was especially blessed to share this wonderful experience with my daughter and a few of my precious grandchildren. Please enjoy these testimonies from them!

Testimonials "It was an honor and a blessing to attend Women’s Statehouse Day. Hearing the many testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the lives of our Christ-following public servants is an experience that will never grow old. For me, this was an even greater privilege this year, because my preteen and teenage children came with me. They really enjoyed the speakers, the special gift bags, touring our beautiful Statehouse, and, of course, lunch! My teenage daughters were impressed and surprised to learn that we have so many Christians in our state government! I’m so thankful they were able to have this experience. I sincerely appreciate the face-to-face opportunity to get to know some of our public servants on a personal level. The annual Public Servants’ Prayer Women’s Statehouse Day spurs me on to faithfully pray for the burdens and responsibilities of our leaders and the amazing ministry of Public Servants’ Prayer." - Melissa Scott (Daughter)

“I was truly blessed to be invited to the women’s conference. This was my first visit to the Statehouse, so my experience was very delightful. I was amazed by how many leaders prayed for the leadership of the United States. Afterwards, I got the opportunity to go on a tour of the Statehouse. I like learning about our history, but I loved learning about my home state’s history." – Olivia Scott (Granddaughter)

Thank you for your prayers! 2 Corinthians 9:8

Rita Bowman's Daughter and Grandchildren ~ Women's Statehouse Day

~TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

TIM LINDSEY, CHAPLAIN INDIANAPOLIS CITY-COUNTY BUILDING

Tim Lindsey has been with PSP for about five years, and it has been incredible to watch as God opens doors of opportunity to ministry in the political arena. The Chaplain of the Indianapolis City-County Building, he is well sought after by the leaders and staff for prayer, counseling, and friendship. He is the founder of our Indianapolis Prayer Service (coming up in June) and coordinator of Pastor's Statehouse Day. He can also be found from time-to-time meeting with Statehouse leadership and opening the House and Senate in prayer! We can predict at staff meetings that he will pray for humility, purity, and for Christ to receive the glory. We are so honored to have Chaplain Lindsey on our team and know that God is using him mightily as he allows Christ to be his strength.

CH Tim Lindsey ~ Opening House of Representatives in Prayer

KEVIN WOLFE, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, BOOKKEEPER

We are abundantly thankful for our teammate Kevin Wolfe. He meticulously manages bookkeeping and financial correspondence, and he can be found at nearly every event making sure that things are running smoothly. We often laugh as we know that he will arrive an hour early for any task, even when that means meeting Panera Bread for Bagels and Books in the wee hours of the morning before the sun has even dared break the night sky. We are so thankful for all he is and does for this team.

Bagels and Books

SARAH BARNES, PHOTOGRAPHER & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Sarah Barnes has been faithfully working behind the scenes for several years developing event programs, graphics, cards, maps, etc., and using her photography to capture many precious moments at team events. We are so thankful for Sarah and the countless hours she has given to serve this team and minister to leaders!

EMMA BARNES, SOCIAL MEDIA

Emma Barnes has been helping to run our social media platform this Session by posting three legislators to pray for each day. We so appreciate her sweet spirit and this extra lift through the weight of Session! If you have not signed up to receive the daily prayer prompts, please visit our website: thepsp.org.

MIRIAM BARNES, EVENT COORDINATOR & EDITOR

Miriam Barnes has been coordinating events, planning trips, organizing volunteers, editing material, and being a source of strength for this team since the beginning. She and Matt work together to provide housing for legislator families during Session and weekly legislator dinners at their home, Fairhaven. This Session was challenging with family illness and water pipe flooding, but God continues to faithfully provide in miraculous ways!

PRAY

We cannot thank you enough for your prayerful support! As there are many health issues represented in our team and families at this time, we appreciate your continued intercession.

We pray now that God blesses YOU with His nearness, grants you strength, and supplies all of your needs!

In Christ,

Your PSP Ministry Team

1 Timothy 2:1-4

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.