Local Government Outreach

There are exciting things happening at the Indianapolis City-County Building! Considering the timing, the impact, and the rapid growth, I cannot help but stand amazed at what God has done.

It all began by simply receiving daily emails from Public Servants' Prayer (PSP). I strived to faithfully email those three names each day. About nine months ago, I chose to add my city leaders. I found all twenty-five names and emails of the City-County Councillors, and I began emailing one a day for the first twenty-five days of the month. The response was wonderful; they were not used to getting emails that said, "I am praying for you, your family, and your district."

At the urging of Matt Barnes, I contacted my city-county councillor and asked how to begin a time of prayer with councillors and staff. This is where it became real: really good and really fast. My councillor was part of a previous Bible study and prayer, and they wanted it to start back up; however, there was one provision: "Everyone in the building has to be invited and welcome". That is what we wanted, too! I had barely the time to update PSP on what was going on, and I received an email stating that we "start on December 18th at 5:00 pm in room 224." I did not have to do anything; the councillor received permission, procured a room, gave it the name "Prayer Caucus", and placed it on the official schedule! The timing of this was of God.

Our first meeting had seven in attendance, including three councillors, and we were really excited! God was opening all sorts of opportunities for us. Then, tension began to mount. If you are familiar with recent politics in Indianapolis, you might know some of the difficulties within our City-County Council over the first three months of 2018. You might also think that our ability to serve them would be hurt, but God proved once again that He brings good from complications and challenges. PSP faithfully prayed, served and encouraged them; and relationships began to blossom and grow. The impact o f the ministry had God's fingerprints all over it!

Right now, the ministry at the City-County Building is expanding. Every office in the twenty-five floor building has a flyer that promotes our Prayer Caucus. I wish you could have seen the faces of fellow believers when they heard that there was a ministry that would pray for them! Recently, I saw the Mayor and was able to personally invite him to our Bible study and prayer time. I also showed him the PSP Indiana Facebook page where we ask others to pray for him and his staff. He kept saying, "Thank you ... thank you." This rapid growth is only possible because of God's favor.

A few months ago, the City-County Building - that building on the other end of Market Street in Indianapolis - was like countless other government buildings all across our country: full of believers that needed encouragement and people that needed to be introduced to our Savior. Now, we witness the light of God's Word bringing hope and comfort to these people. If it can happen in Indianapolis and Marion County, I believe it can happen in all 92 of Indiana's counties. May God raise up more to minister to our public servants.