Introducing Rita Bowman

Rita Bowman directs the PSP women’s ministry at the Indianapolis City/County building, working alongside her nephew, Indy City-County Council Chaplain Tim LIndsey. Here is an encouraging update from her:

January 2021

Dear friends,

Last year about this time we were living our normal lives - working, setting goals and anticipating many wonderful PSP Ministry events on the calendar for 2020, including the ladies Bible Studies at the City County Building (CCB) and Indianapolis Fire Department Headquarters (IFDH). I enjoyed working with and assisting Chaplain Tim Lindsey at the Bagel & Coffee open house for the city and county employees in the CCB. The event was a great success. Every lady who attended the open house received a personal and a formal invitation to the Ladies’ Wednesday lunch hour Bible Study. We were blessed to pray with individuals throughout the day as well.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic reached America and suddenly everything changed, affecting each area of our lives. Although these changes have disrupted our normal way of life, God has enabled us to find new ways to continue the ministry He has called us to do. Right away, we realized that God had a different plan from our original one. Deep in our hearts we heard His Words, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Many blessings come from adversity, and I am reminded of two favorite passages of Scripture. Psalm 118: 24 states unequivocally, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Isaiah chapter 55 also spoke to me during this time. These Scriptures have had a deep impact on my heart and my perception of the majesty and power of Almighty God, our Creator. God’s ways and His thoughts far exceed anything we can comprehend.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how God has grown our ministry, although it looks quite different. Last year, when we were conducting Bible studies in the CCB and the IFDH, the ladies in both groups made, decorated and filled gift bags for their co-workers with special gifts, homemade treats, notes of encouragement and a personal invitation to attend our weekly lunch hour Bible Study.

This year, our knowledge and use of the internet have provided the necessary tools to continue to provide encouragement through phone, emails, and weekly lunch hour Bible studies on ZOOM. We have actually now combined the two groups into one ZOOM session until we are able to resume our in-person Bible Studies. It blesses my heart to see and hear the ladies fellowship and share with each other the things going on in their lives since the last time we met. I cannot think of a better way to give God glory, honor and praise than studying God’s Word and praying with and for each other.

The ladies shared how encouraged they are by our Bible Study times. Here are a few of their comments:

“Combining the two groups on ZOOM made us feel we are more personally connected to each other.” A.

“Love it - glad we can connect with each other, talk about what we are learning in our study, and pray with each other and for each other in meaningful ways.” K.

“[I love how the ladies] share their hearts and how God is leading and working in their personal journeys.” L.

“I thank God for you making sure we are staying on track and learning. [You have] poured a lot into us. The ladies know we are here even when they aren’t able to pop on and that we love them and are praying for them.”

“Can’t imagine not having this available – so thankful. Knowing others are praying for [us] and the work that is going on.” L.W.

I love this ministry and am truly blessed to be a part of the Public Servants’ Prayer Ministry Team. Praise God for individuals like you that do your part by praying for and supporting God’s work in the political arena, on the city, state, and national levels!

Rita Bowman

Public Servants’ Prayer City/County Women’s Ministry