2022 Winter Newsletter

*Merry Christmas!*

*__________* SAVE THE DATE!

*Matthew Barnes* Statehouse Chaplain Another year is almost gone, and what a year it has been! We have encountered many challenges and joys this year. Our ministry house was destroyed by a flood (caused by a broken water pipe) back in February, and we are just now seeing the renovations nearly completed, almost ready to host legislators again in January! We have experienced various other problems as well - major health issues within our family, vehicle breakdowns, etc. - basically, normal life! However, we have also seen the Lord provide in wonderful ways: vehicle repairs paid for by donors, house repairs covered by insurance, and an attentive service dog to name a few. In this life, full of both challenges and blessings, we are immensely thankful for your partnership. We could not share the love of Jesus in the political arena without your faithful prayers and support. Please be praying that the Lord will continue to meet our financial needs here at the end of the year and that we would have the requisite strength and grace as the 2023 session begins in January. Please make plans to join us for the Statehouse Prayer Service at noon on Monday, January 9, 2023! "Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure." -D.L. Moody Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Matthew, Miriam, Emma (with Winnie), Sarah, and Micah Barnes - Visiting Micah where he is stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico

*Pam Russell* Statehouse Women's Chaplain

It’s been a very full year from start to finish. How I thank the Lord for all that He has done.

In August, I passed the twelve-year mark with PSP, and how I thank the Lord for this milestone. I started the first Capitol Ladies' Bible Study back in August 2010, and two of the original members of the first class are still faithfully attending. There is a sweet fellowship amongst the ladies who love each other and love to study the Word of God. In October, I completed a one year Zoom Bible class in the book of Acts with pastors’ wives and women’s ministry leaders in India. Sometimes there were over one hundred “devices” signed onto the call. I taught the class from my phone in the Statehouse chapel. Once, I even taught from a telephone booth when the Speaker of the House asked to use the chapel! Next year, these women are going to take my study guide for Genesis, “First Things First,” and go independent! They are now also faithfully praying for their government leaders. I look forward to seeing what God will do in response to their prayers. How I praise the Lord for these faithful women.

This year, there were not one, but three legislative sessions which proved fruitful for deepening relationships with the women who lead our state. Times for prayer, coffee, counsel, and comfort were multiplied. Amidst great intensity and debate, sometimes a chance occurrence-like a senator, a representative, and chaplain all wearing lavender-helped to lighten the day!

All glory to God!

Senator Stacey Donato, CH Pam Russell, Rep. Elizabeth Rowray

*Tim Lindsey * Indianapolis City-County Chaplain As 2022 winds down, we have too many blessings to mention, both sobering opportunities to minister and happy times to cherish. As in any ministry, it is vitally important to establish a “ministry of presence" as relationships often take time to develop. One day, the need to simply be present, available, and known demonstrated itself following the tragic death of one of our city’s peacekeepers. In those moments, we were privileged to set up an office to minister and pray with this public servant's very close friends and colleagues. It was humbling to serve our city in such a personal, intimate way. Our 3rd Annual Indianapolis Prayer Service was a great success and broadcasted live across the city’s television channel where it is forever archived! The Prayer Caucus has also been a sweet time of lifting up our Councillors and their prayer requests. We continue to see growth in our impact and influence on all floors of city government.

Indianapolis Prayer Service 2022

As another full year of ministry approaches, we look forward to sharing the love and compassion of our Savior. 2023 will bring municipal elections, so all 25 Councillors, our mayor, and others will be working hard to serve our city while simultaneously asking its constituents to trust them with another term. We ask you to pray with us for each and every candidate; these elections bring unique and wonderful opportunities with our public servants. Last election, I offered to meet and pray with any Councillor as Election Day approached. Through meetings and phone calls, I prayed with over half of them. It is a great honor to serve our public servants through prayer and pastoral care. *Vicki Maughmer Judicial Prayer Director Every Monday, I continue to send the weekly devotional, *Mindful Moment, to the Judiciary with Scripture and words of encouragement. I am blessed to regularly observe and pray during the Supreme Court oral arguments. Whether in person or online, I am able to be a part of the judicial process in this way. In September, I attended the annual Judge’s Conference in South Bend offering the invocation at their luncheon. It was an honor to be among every judge in the state of Indiana. Following the meal, I had the opportunity to see many familiar faces and to make new acquaintances. The annual PSP Fall Banquet and the legislator-sponsored fundraiser were very humbling experiences. To meet the many who support Public Servants' Prayer was so rewarding. Thank you to all for your dedication to the work of God in the political arena and to our team. Each day I offer a prayer for a Supreme Court Justice or Appellate Court Judge. This process is assisted by a personal prayer calendar I've organized to make certain that all are covered with prayer. *Prayer Requests for the Judges: *

Godly wisdom

Protection for each one and their families

Mental and physical health

Desire to seek after God

Time for family

Time to rest

Rejoice and thank the Lord for these public servants who faithfully dispense justice, seek to right wrongs, and uphold the Constitution. *Jessica Ray * Executive Assistant So much has transpired in the fast, full months since our last newsletter. After the wake of summer session, I spent much of August and September editing Pam's most recent Bible studies and keeping up with weekly tasks. In October, Pam and I traveled to Tennessee for "The Gathering," an annual conference hosting Statehouse

Chaplains from across the U.S. As the only women's chaplain in attendance(!), Pam was invited to speak on the importance of ministry to women in the political arena and encourage the chaplains to prayerfully seek a female colleague to reach the women in their field. What a wonderful time of fellowship, meeting with those who share the same heart for leaders and understand the nature of ministry to politicians. *(Picture: "The Gathering" in the TN House of Representatives) *

Nearly every day in October was filled with Public Servants' Prayer as we traveled to various churches and homes for speaking engagements each weekend. Now, as the holidays near, I am enjoying a more restful season and soaking up every moment spent with my parents, five siblings, and twenty plus nieces and nephews! I ask a special prayer request for my nephew Benny (15) and our family as he was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy.

Just a few of the Ray family- Benny is wearing the black beanie and grey hoodie.

Thank you so much for your faithful support and mountain-moving faith. I am praying now for YOU and for a blessed holiday season. We hope to see you January 9, 2023! *Kevin Wolfe* Bookkeeper & Event Staff It has been a wonderful year for PSP because of the generosity of every one of our supporters. I continue to be in awe of how God has provided this year for the ministry of Public Servants' Prayer. I am looking forward to 2023, and pray that the Lord blesses each of you in the coming new year!

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