2023 Summer Newsletter

Summer Newsletter

~2023~

Matthew Barnes Statehouse Chaplain In May, our team had the joyful privilege of co-hosting a Global Conference with Parliament and Faith in Geneva, Switzerland. We have been helping Parlamento & Fe with global events for fifteen years. This year, thirty-seven countries were represented at the United Nations Reconciliation Conference! Our team played an integral role in the conference through serving behind-the-scenes with planning, organizing, and implementing as well as leading worship, question-and-answer panels, and speaking for workshops and keynote addresses.

Senator John Crane and Adam Nathanson (Translator)

We were joined on the trip by Senator John Crane and his wife Jean. They were a delight to travel with and we had many deep conversations about strategic ways to help other countries develop leaders that desire to follow God and His principles. Here are a couple of personal highlights from the trip: 1)*Burkina Faso, Africa* - On Wednesday at the conference, Jean Crane asked if we could invite the delegation from Burkina Faso to have lunch with us. I initially was going to respond that, since we packed lunch, that wouldn't work. Instead, we decided to just go for it, and I'm so glad we did. God multiplied the "loaves and fishes," and we had plenty to share! We walked down to the Geneva Lakeshore and thoroughly enjoyed rich discussions over our meal. There were several members of parliament and the Vice President in the delegation. They asked numerous questions about establishing a ministry of prayer and pastoral care in their Capitol. These conversations have continued online the past several weeks. Recently, Dr. Basile, one of the group leaders, texted me that they were able to meet with their Assembly president and pray with him (second picture below)! We praise the Lord for furthering the ministry around the world! Please join us in praying for Burkina Faso. Their nation has many needs, spiritual needs being paramount and government needs coming in a close second!

*Click here to view a video of the charge and encouragement given to the Burkina Faso delegates.*

Top - PSP ministry team on the shore of Lake Geneva with the Burkina Faso delegation

Bottom - Burkina Faso Parliament and Faith delegation with the President of the Assembly in Burkina Faso

2)*United Kingdom - After the conference, we took a train toward England. Ever since Pam Russell joined our PSP team, we have wanted to join her in visiting her birthplace. Pam was able to secure a meeting inside Westminster Hall with two "lovely" (as they say in England) individuals. Chris Van Roon, a staffer for a MP (Member of Parliament), gave us a great tour. Then we met with David Hews who leads a prayer ministry in the Capitol, *Prayer in Parliament. I was thrilled to meet a ministry counterpart in the United Kingdom! He took us inside the House of Commons and the House of Lords while they were in Session. In the House of Lords, we were able to sit in the Members Gallery and pray for the United Kingdom as we gazed at the throne of England and watched members debate. David also took us to the Central Lobby, directly between the Houses. He leads a prayer time there every week, and we were able to pray together there as well. What a wonderful experience to pray to the King of kings from the precise place where the king of England walks.

Matt, Senator John Crane, Jean Crane, Jessica, Pam, Chris Van Roon, and David Hews (Director of Prayer in Parliament)

God is at work in the political arena. His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. They are much better in fact! Our God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think! *Pam Russell ** *Statehouse Women's Chaplain As mentioned above, just a few short days after a fast but fruitful Session, our PSP team flew to Geneva for the Parliament and Faith UNR Global Conference. We were honored to have Senator John Crane and his wife Jean join us for this mission, as well as a couple of family members, friends, and a PSP board member and his wife. I had the privilege of bringing my granddaughter, Angie! A hearty thanks goes to Miriam Barnes for all the incredible planning and booking for this trip! As accommodations are more affordable in France, we lodged across the border in Bonneville and commuted twenty minutes to Geneva daily for the week long conference. Renting a house provided special opportunities to host groups from the conference for evening meals and continued fellowship and training. Miriam and her crew graciously cooked our meals to cut costs as Geneva is très cher!

*Jessica Ray, Pam Russell, Ana Valoy (Translator) *

I was given the opportunity to speak to the assembly on the necessity of recruiting women to shepherd and counsel the women in the political arena. I also spoke in a ladies' workshop on being a woman of Christian influence. In both sessions, I was pleased with the positive feedback and sincere questions. It was a delight to see Pastor Emanuel (from Spain) again! We met Emanuel in 2017 when the doors first opened for him to minister to the Spanish Parliament. At that time, he was nervous about the call and felt completely unqualified. Matt assured him that as a pastor and minister of the Word, Emanuel was eminently qualified to minister in the political arena. "Go, walk through that open door,” were the words Emanuel remembers from Matt's encouragement. It was a blessing to hear what God has been doing through this pastor in the past six years in the Spanish legislature. The last night of the conference was a Gala reception, parade of nations, and special recognition of Israel on her 75th birthday. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN sent a representative to the event. Being together and finding mutual encouragement in the Lord with elected and pastoral leaders from around the world was incredibly special.

L-R: Matt and Miriam, Emma, Louisa (friend of Emma), Jessica, Angie (Pam's granddaughter), Eric Luckhaupt (PSP board member) and his wife Anita, Jean and Senator John Crane

All in all, we networked great ministry contacts, strengthened friendships, and came away with invitations to visit other nations to speak, teach, and train. I am invited to train women for ministry in Mexico City and Kigali, Rwanda. I am also invited to speak at a conference in Spain ministering to widows. Praise the Lord! After Geneva, we traveled to London and met with two people in ministry in the UK Parliament. I have prayed for many years for this opportunity. I especially appreciated the hour we spent sharing ministry stories in the House café, with the added bonus of tea and cream cake (an English tradition I was thrilled to share with my PSP family!) We look forward to seeing what the Lord will do with these exciting new connections. We are now home and right back into ministry in Indiana. Thank you for your prayers and support that made this trip possible. We cannot do what we do without you! Vicki Maughmer *Judicial Prayer Director * The weekly devotional, “Mindful Moment,” I send each Monday morning continues to be well received, yielding many grateful comments. What a privilege to send God’s Word into the email boxes of our public servants.

In the last several months, Public Servants’ Prayer has gifted a Bible to every Supreme Court Justice and all of the Appellate Court Judges, each engraved with the recipients’ names. Below are some of the comments we received about the Bibles.

“Thank you for the beautiful Bible. What a lovely gift. Thank you for all you do to support our state’s public servants, me included.”

“Words cannot convey my thanks to you and the Public Servants’ Prayer for the beautiful Bible. It will be cherished by me and members of my family for generations. Thank you for Mindful Moment and the difference you and others are making.”

“Please accept my heartfelt thanks for PSP’s generous gift of the Thompson Chain Bible. I especially appreciate and use the chain.”

The Indiana Supreme Court oral arguments are available to the public both in person and online. I have had the honor to view eleven oral arguments since the beginning of 2023. This allows me to gain a better understanding of their roles and equips me for effective prayer. Thank you, ministry partners, for your continued support and prayers for the Judiciary. Rita Bowman Indianapolis City County Women's Ministry Director and Future PSP Intern Director This year has been filled with extraordinary opportunities to connect with and serve our public servants, their staff, and interns in a new and exciting way. In addition to

attending and assisting with many dynamic PSP events, I am grateful for the privilege and honor to have completed my college internship with Public Servants’ Prayer during the 2023 Legislative Session. Attending committee meetings, following various bills, observing hearings and the voting process from the House and Senate Galleries - all of this enhanced my education and perspective regarding governmental proceedings in the state of Indiana. Some of the most valuable experiences for me occurred through engaging in day-to-day conversations with the leaders and staff who fill the bustling halls of the Statehouse during Session. Graduating this spring with a MAPC was truly a celebration of the experiences the PSP Internship provided. With this degree, I am now qualified to develop and direct a certified college internship program for Public Servants' Prayer. Please pray with us that God will grant wisdom and favor as we set out to accomplish this goal. Jessica Ray *Executive Assistant * It is always a challenge to narrow down this massive, yearly undertaking we call "Session" into a few short paragraphs. As I scope from a broad-view perspective, I see that much prayer has gone out across the state of Indiana and the United States as a result of the daily prayer website and ministry events. I am humbled and praise the Lord for this opportunity to join in this mission. Though attacks have been heavy for our team and families, we trust God is moving in response to these prayers.

PSP WEBSITE

I was so blessed to receive an email this Session from a newly elected leader in a

distant state requesting that I add her picture to her state's webpage for prayer. She writes: "I have followed... PSP on Facebook for a while. I love that it reminds me to lift up those who are making decisions. Now that I am a newly elected... member, I looked for my name...It is my prayer each day that God give me discernment on every issue that comes before me. I pray my words are gentle and not harsh. I pray that I season like salt the Word of God in all that I do and say. Thank you so much for your prayers!!" Please continue to follow Christ in YOUR call to pray for leaders. It makes a difference!

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16 **(Sign up here to receive an email with three leaders to pray for each day.)**

MINISTRY EVENTS & TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

*BAGELS AND BOOKS* We were blessed to host seven bi-weekly Bagels and Books events this year!

Leaders and staff lined up together to enjoy their complimentary breakfast and Christian literature. This provided special opportunities for prayer and relationship building as we practice the love of Christ through giving. Legislators and staffers sought out Matt and Pam to chat while sipping their morning coffee. We were especially pleased to realize that, in addition to the many counseling pamphlets and reading materials distributed, seventeen full-sized Bibles were picked up from the tables this year. One senator shared with us how excited her staffer was to receive a Bible. This young man emphasized that he planned to keep the Bible on his desk just like the senator does hers. *PASTORS' STATEHOUSE DAY* Along with Matt Barnes, **Tim Lindsey **(PSP City County Chaplain) invited and coordinated Pastors' Statehouse Day. On that day, around 25 pastors gathered at the Capitol to meet and pray with their leaders. A highlight of the day was the opportunity to present personalized Bibles to the many freshman legislators and newly elected statewide officials. Additionally, the Lord opened the doors to pray with the Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer of State in their offices. Leaders from the House, Senate, and City-County Building also joined us for lunch and a time of prayer in the chapel. It was amazing to see God's hand on the day! We pray His Word and Spirit stir and move in the hearts of those touched and beyond.

Pastors praying with the Secretary of State Diego Morales

Freshman Legislator Lindsay Patterson with Bible Engraver Faith Brasel

Pastors praying with Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott

*FAITH@WORK*

A new event this year, Faith@Work was birthed from a coffee date Pam shared with the Secretary of Education. Each having a desire to reach the younger generation, Secretary Jenner graciously offered to host interns and staff in her office every other week throughout session to hear from different leaders on the topic of faith in the workplace. Every meeting proved to be relationship building, educational, and unifying as legislators from both "sides of the aisle" shared of their walk with Christ and His impact on their life in politics. What a blessing it was to see a Republican senator walk through the door to hear her Democrat colleague speak one morning. This was a shining example of being Christ's light in the workplace, and we are so thankful and blessed in Indiana to see God continue His loving work in the hearts of the leaders of our state.

2023 Faith@Work

TEAM FAMILY PRAYER REQUESTS

Ruthie Lindsey - Tim Lindsey's wife has been undergoing further treatments after the return of lymphoma. Please pray for her healing and for the family.

Benny Ray - Jessica's nephew Benny (15) is now in the maintenance phase of his chemotherapy treatments. Please pray for complete healing and for the family.

Emma Barnes - Please continue to pray for Emma's healing and for Matthew and Miriam to have wisdom in finding the right doctors for Emma's healthcare.

We so appreciate you and your ministry of prayer for us and for our leaders. We pray also, now, for you! In Christ, *Your PSP Team *

thepsp.org

UNR Global Conference, Geneva

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