2022 Summer Newsletter

~STATEHOUSE UPDATES

MATTHEW BARNES, STATEHOUSE CHAPLAIN

Special Session

Greetings! It is quite challenging to get a full newsletter out on a regular basis. We stay so busy with daily ministry that it is difficult to sit down and write an update. Hopefully you are able to follow our social media posts for timely prayer needs and requests.

Right now, we are in the middle of a historic "special session." The Governor called the legislature back to work on a tax refund bill. Then, the Supreme Court handed down a decision on abortion, and the legislature decided to take that issue up as well during the special session. The Statehouse has been swarming with groups on all sides of the abortion issue. We have been encouraged by the many who have shown up to pray!

2022 Special Session Protestors

Our team has been asked to open the House of Representatives in prayer every day for the 2-3 week session and several days in the Senate. We will also be ministering in all the other customary ways to the legislators as they deal with these weighty matters. Please pray for us to have wisdom in all our interactions and for physical health and strength.

Matt and Speaker of the House Todd Huston before the Opening Prayer of Special Session

Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast

In June, I was able to go with a few legislators to Israel for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. It was a remarkable time to be in the Knesset and to hear from the Speaker of the Knesset as well as Nic Vujicic, David Barton, and several others. We even had a surprise visit from Benjamin Netanyahu! Please continue to pray for our international outreach as we attempt to help others establish Gospel-centered ministries in capitols around the world.

Indiana Rep. Frye shaking hands with Benjamin Netanyahu

PAM RUSSELL, STATEHOUSE WOMEN'S CHAPLAIN

UN Reconciliation Global Conference, NYC

In May, we visited New York City for the Parlamento & Fe (Parliament and Faith) UN Reconciliation Global Conference. We have partnered with P&F and its President, Luciano Bongarra, for many years to reach leaders around the globe for Christ.

Elected and pastoral leaders from twenty-five different countries gathered there. These nations included: Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Romania, Rwanda, Spain, St. Martin, and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. Elected leaders were edified, and pastors were stirred to reach their nations’ leaders with the Gospel and pastoral care.

PSP Team with Indiana Senator Stacey Donato and President of Parlamento & Fe, Luciano Bongarra

Indiana Senator Stacey Donato traveled with us and was honored to be the only leader representing the United States at the conference. After giving a heartfelt speech on Christlike, servant leadership and the impact of the PSP ministry in her life, she was approached by an African pastor expressing that he believed her speech was the reason God had sent him oversees for this meeting. Through her speech, he had caught the vision and heard the call to begin a ministry to leaders in his own country. How amazing! Praise the Lord!

Some of the highlights of the week included:

-Matt speaking at a plenary session on “A Theology of Creation.”
-Tim managing conference logistics.
-Tim, Matt, and Jessica offering special music.
-Senator Donato speaking. -Praying with pastors from Africa and the Caribbean to launch ministries to their nations' leaders.
-Pam conducting a workshop and emceeing the conference with translator extraordinaire Adam Nathanson.
-Meeting author Philip Yancey.
-Reconnecting with National Minister of Uruguay, Gerardo Amarilla.
-Meeting Guatemalan Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Luis Lam.

Pam, Pastor Andres from Chile, Author Philip Yancey and wife Janet Yancey

Please pray!
Please pray for good and fruitful follow ups after these extraordinary meetings!

Thank you!
*A special thank you to Emmanuel Baptist Church of Hebron, IN for the loan of a luxury van for the trip and to all those who faithfully pray for us! All glory to God.

VICKI MAUGHMER, JUDICIAL PRAYER DIRECTOR

"Mindful Moment"
“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me…” (1 Corinthians 16:9a KJV)

In the December newsletter, I asked prayer for an open door to minister to the Judiciary through God’s Word. Praise the Lord for answering that prayer! On April 25, 2022, “Mindful Moment,” a weekly Scripture, was emailed to those who asked to receive it. Since that date, every Monday morning, a selected Scripture verse has been sent to their inbox to encourage them throughout the week. Joy has filled my heart as justices and judges have responded with positive comments and gratitude.

GARBC Chaplains' Conference Recently, I attended the GARBC chaplains’ conference with Pam, Jessica, and Matt in Grand Rapids. It was a beautiful time to worship in song and to hear the Word from many gifted speakers. Since this was a national conference, many were unaware of our ministry, and the opportunity to speak to those who stopped by the PSP booth was quite rewarding. I loved sharing the great things God has allowed PSP to accomplish and encouraged them to pray for their local, state, and national leaders.

Prayer Requests: Pray that the weekly Scripture, “Mindful Moment,” would encourage, strengthen, and renew the minds of the justices and judges. Pray that additional judges would also be willing to receive the weekly devotion. Continue to pray for the Judiciary at the federal level and in our state. Pray for their protection, wisdom, and the courage to make right decisions, even those that may not be popular. Pray for their families’ protection. Pray for the newest United States Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. Also pray for the next member of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Judge Derek Molter, who will succeed retiring Supreme Court Justice Steven David.

JESSICA RAY, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Ladies' Bible Study / Hospitality As you have read in the articles above, the end of spring Session was the beginning of many other ventures for our team. New York, Israel, Indianapolis Prayer Service, Michigan GARBC chaplains' conference, special session, etc. have all been packed into our summer, all while maintaining our weekly Bible studies and presence at the Statehouse. Sandwiched in between these events, our ladies' Bible study group gathered for a cookout at Pam's home. One woman jokingly said that we were gathering to celebrate her birthday. So, we put our efforts together and surprised her with a cake and card. She was so excited! We had such a sweet time of laughter, fellowship, and food, and wrapped up the evening with some rather competitive games of "cornhole."

Ladies' Bible Study Cookout

INDIANAPOLIS CITY-COUNTY BUILDING UPDATE

TIM LINDSEY, Indianapolis City-County Chaplain
RITA BOWMAN, Indianapolis City-County Women's Ministry Director

Indianapolis Prayer Service "And seek the peace of the city... and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace." (Jeremiah 29:7 KJV)

PSP City-County Chaplain Tim Lindsey hosted the third annual Indianapolis Prayer Service in June. We were so pleased to have the mayor, several city leaders, local pastors, media, and guests in attendance praying for our city. Also praying during the service were our team members Pam and Rita. We are grateful and humbled to the Lord for the heartfelt participation and favor that our state and city leaders have for prayer and know that God is moving in response to these petitions.

Indianapolis Prayer Service Speakers and Praying Guests

Prior to the service, Chaplain Lindsey was honored to be interviewed on a local news segment of which he writes: “Very humbling, yet exciting morning. Thrilled to join Randy Ollis and WISH-TV on his segment 'Finding Faith' to share PSP Indiana and the Indianapolis Prayer Service, then to join city leaders to pray for my city.”

We ask your continued prayer for Rita Bowman and Tim Lindsey as they seek to be used in the lives of our city leaders. Pray that they will know God's steps for them daily and for God to draw the hearts of those in their field. Please pray that Bible studies and prayer times will be well attended and impactful.

Rita Bowman and Tim Lindsey praying at the Indianapolis Prayer Service

PSP PRAYER AND PRAISES

We wanted to share with you a few special prayer requests and praise reports from our team!

-Praise the Lord! Tim Lindsey's wife, Ruthie, has recently received her final chemotherapy treatment and was able to "ring the bell." Please pray for her continued healing and strength!
-Pray for the Barnes family as they continue the reconstruction of their guest house after the recent flooding.
-Pray for Emma Barnes' healing from the traumatic brain injury and torn ACL. Praise the Lord for improvements in both.
-Pray for Vicki as she faces the recent loss of her father.

Ruthie Lindsey and Tim Lindsey- "Ringing the Bell"

Thank you for all of your faithful support! We are richly helped and blessed through your love and prayers!

In Him,

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.