2024 Spring Newsletter

Spring Newsletter ** **2024

Matthew Barnes Indiana Statehouse Chaplain The 2024 legislative session has concluded, which (for our team) means that ministry at the Statehouse now takes on a more manageable role. There are still hundreds of people in the building and three Bible studies a week, but the pace is a bit more feasible. New Team Members This session was memorable in several ways. First was the addition of new team members! My aunt, Anita Luckhaupt, joined our team and became an instant, incredible help. She has assisted in numerous ways, lightening our load. She never meets a stranger and has had no trouble fitting into the Statehouse community. She especially likes one of the doorkeepers that, when introduced, mistakingly thought she was my niece! Now she affectionately calls me "Uncle Matthew." :)

Anita shaking hands with Governor Holcomb at the State of the State address

Second, we had a fantastic full-time intern this year. Captain Eliseo Hernandez stepped into the Statehouse, and we put him right into the thick of things. He participated in the 20th Annual Statehouse Prayer Service his first day. Throughout session he served the PSP team, ministered to many Statehouse individuals, taught Bible studies, and opened the Senate in prayer. He also joined Senator John Crane and me on a mission trip to Mexico during the mid-session break. Eliseo was critical to this trip, as I am linguistically challenged but he is bilingual. He was a part of every conversation and even did live translating during the other messages so Senator Crane and I could understand. He was a great blessing during his time with us.

*20th Annual Statehouse Prayer Service Captain Eliseo Hernandez, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Zacharias *

Mission to Mexico The mission trip to Mexico City was a fruitful time. More than five countries in Central America and several provinces in Mexico were represented by pastors and political leaders. The goal was to help attendees learn effective ways to administer prayer and pastoral care to their civil government leaders. One participant responded that we had "lit a fire under the Mexican church to pray for their leaders." Praise the Lord!

Chaplain Matt Barnes speaking in the Mexican Parliament with Indiana State Senator John Crane, Dip. Joanna Felipe Torres, Vice President of Mexican Parliament, and Captain Eliseo Hernandez

A Memorable Home Going Sadly, a third memorable happening this year was the death of Senator Jean Breaux. Senator Breaux attended our Statehouse Bible studies, was an avid proponent of our ministry, and proved a thoughtful friend. Pam and I visited her in the hospital midway through session and later in hospice care just after session. We chatted, sang hymns, and prayed together. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven. Here is a short video clip of Senator Breaux discussing what the Bible studies in the Statehouse meant to her:

This is the second senator to pass away in six months. Please be praying for their families and colleagues. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support. We are so grateful! -------------------------------- Pamela Russell * *Indiana Statehouse Women's Chaplain **Faith@Work Last year, we launched two initiatives aimed at reaching the student interns that inhabit the Statehouse for the legislative session. It was such a blessing to watch both events - "Faith@Work" and "Soup's On" - grow exponentially this year. Many of these students will be our future leaders, and the opportunity to have impact in their lives for Christ is critical. At “Faith@Work,” staff and interns gather over donuts and coffee from 7:30am-8:15am every other Wednesday morning to hear invited legislators tell how their faith in Christ influences who they are and what they do. In those brief morning gatherings, legislators talked candidly of the challenges to their faith they experience. Everyone shared Scriptures they use to keep themselves focused and strengthened. These special moments have served to develop mentoring relationships between legislators and interns. Only the Lord knows the impact these small beginnings will have on our future generation.

*Faith@Work *

Soup's On In conjunction, we regularly hosted “Soup’s On” dinners in my home for the staff and interns. In an informal setting, new and shy ones were made welcome; and over good food, we enjoyed fellowship and encouraged good, meaningful conversation. Looking forward, we have a date set to regather at a summer cookout to continue and deepen the relationships established during session. I would ask you to pray for us, for these relationships, and for the impact of Godly leadership on the next generation of leaders. -------------------------------- Vicki Maughmer Judicial Prayer Director Colossians 3:17 - “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. **Women's Statehouse Day ** One of my favorite events is Women’s Statehouse Day. Seeing women come from all over the state to hear the prayers offered for our public servants is truly a blessing. The featured speaker, Mrs. Karen Pence, gave inspiring thoughts about her journey of faith. The meaningful prayers offered for the leadership in the different branches of government was encouraging and a reminder for everyone to pray for our leaders. It is always a great day for the women to hear from and talk with their representatives over a delicious Chick-fil-A lunch. Thanks to the many volunteers who served to ensure that the day went smoothly. You are a vital component to the success of the day!

Karen Pence Speaking at Women's Statehouse Day

-------------------------------- Rita Bowman Women's Ministry, Indianapolis Fire Department & Indianapolis City-County Building “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24

Bagels & Books

I enjoyed working with our PSP team at the Statehouse during the legislative session, greeting legislators, staff, and Statehouse employees who stopped by for our biweekly “Bagels and Books.” Hundreds of Christian books and pamphlets were readily received, conversations were sweet, and, as usual, the bagels and coffee were a hot commodity! One extra special blessing from this year's B&B events was the generous sponsorship of 500 customized Bibles from Seedline International! These Bibles, with their exclusively designed Indiana Statehouse covers, were eagerly sought after from the book table. What an incredible impact! Please pray for those who received these materials to be saved and/or to grow in their relationship with Christ.

*Indiana Statehouse Edition Bibles from Seedline International *

City-County Building & Indianapolis Fire Department ** It has been a continued blessing to join Chaplain Tim Lindsey in building relationships and growing friendships through the ministry of presence to our city leaders and their staff at the Indianapolis City-County Building (CCB). After the COVID shutdowns of 2020, I am especially excited to report that we have been able to hold in-person Bible studies with the women at the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) since March 10, 2022 and now, once again, in the CCB since March 20, 2024. The ladies and I are enjoying our study in the book of Ruth as we learn to “Rest in God’s Assignments” (Bible Study Guide of Ruth, Pamela M. Russell, 2021). -------------------------------- **Tim Lindsey City-County Building Chaplain We are so thankful and blessed by the faithful and heartfelt ministry of our teammate Tim Lindsey. He continues to serve our city leaders through weekly visits, prayer, and Bible study in the City-County Building. In the last couple of years, we have asked prayer for Tim's wife Ruthie and their family as she has been battling lymphoma. This season has been especially difficult as Ruthie has recently undergone a stem cell transplant. Please keep Ruthie and Tim and their three young-adult children, Abby, Timmy, and Allison, in your prayers! See below for the most recent Facebook update from Tim, posted on April 11. "Ruthie Update: Today is Day +16. I’m not taking the time to give daily updates. Mostly, there will not be a lot to report. She is glad to be able to rest in her own bed and be home. The house was staying so clean as I had two excellent helpers in Allison and Timothy! But, at the moment, the front room looks like all three of our kids just got home from teen camp. That will be tonight’s project: putting back all the things we took up to the hospital. * *We are back at the hospital for her bloodwork. This will happen twice a week, but we don’t know how long we will have to do this. Every time is between two and four hours. Today, it will be over five hours. Her numbers are still good, but she just needed some IV meds. * *Several weeks ago, her transplant oncologist’s fellow, referred to her as “our VIP patient“. We did not think that was a good thing! The doctor and his staff did not have a tremendous amount of hope for Ruthie and her foreseeable future. Yet, she is one of the very rare individuals that goes through stem cell transplant and never gets a fever! And, she left the hospital a full week earlier than the soonest expected time. From my point of view, this was easier on her than CAR-T! We continue to see the goodness of a faithful, loving, and miracle-working God!"

Facebook Post - April 8, 2024 "Ruthie’s first day outside in 19 days. BMT Clinic says, 'one of the best days ever!' Eclipse field trip!!" -Tim Lindsey

-------------------------------- Anita Luckhaupt Ministry Assistant Becoming a volunteer for PSP has been a fulfilling, rewarding, and eye-opening experience. I love people, and being at the Statehouse has given me plenty of chances to meet individuals from all walks of life. I have, more specifically, enjoyed interacting with interns and legislative assistants at “Bagels & Books” and “Faith@Work.” I loved sharing our ministry, distributing literature, praying for specific needs, and giving “Aunt Nita” hugs to the young people. Observing our team working together for common goals, organizing large events (Statehouse Prayer Service & Women’s Statehouse Day), and serving wherever needed has been inspiring. Thank you, "Uncle Matthew," ;) for following the leadership of the Holy Spirit some 20 years ago to begin a ministry of prayer and pastoral care for our leaders. The Lord has certainly increased this ministry by adding Pam, Jessica, and all the volunteers who serve on the ministry team.

*Eric Luckhaupt - PSP Board Member / Anita Luckhaupt - PSP Ministry Assistant *

-------------------------------- Jessica Ray Executive Assistant God has been doing amazing things in Indiana and around the globe. He truly LOVES us and He truly LOVES politicians. Here are a few ways we would ask you to be praying for our team at this time. Please Pray:

For the healing of our loved ones

For daily guidance, wisdom, health, and strength

For direction regarding future projects, events, and travels

For faith and unity in the midst of testing and trials

For God to open doors of opportunity to share the Gospel

For continued favor with God and man

For Christ's REST inside and out

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers for our PSP team and for leaders!

May God richly BLESS you and all you do!

*Your Public Servants' Prayer Team*

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