Ministry in Review

Public Servants Prayer and ministry in the political arena is at an exciting pivotal juncture. We are poised to grow exponentially. Please be praying and stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks! Here are some updates from this year so far:

Family - Our family has had many challenges this past year. Chief among them was that we felt the Lord calling us to sell our dream home and move closer to the capitol so we could provide better hospitality to the Statehouse community. The Lord allowed our house to quickly sell for full asking price, and we were able to buy 5 acres at an amazing price, 9 miles from the capitol. However, 9 months later, we have still not broken ground for the new house we have been trying to build. Please pray that we can see this come to fruition soon! Despite the challenges of our current living situation, getting a massive concussion (that I’m still feeling the side effects from!), Miriam’s parents moving in with us while her mom had hip surgery, a complicated car accident, and the every present challenge of trying to balance time spent on expanding ministry needs with family time, God has proved himself faithful time and again. He allowed us a much needed family break in June. We were able to visit Alaska, a trip for which we have been planning and saving for many years. It was an amazing adventure and much needed sabbatical.

Locally -We are encouraged to see our local ministry vision starting to be realized. Pastors are getting involved in providing pastoral care for their local leaders. This is occurring through attending town meetings, sending uplifting emails, visiting and praying for their local leaders, and various other opportunities. I have had the pleasure of walking along side several pastors in this. Several have even been called to serve as their community’s emergency personnel chaplain or courthouse chaplain. If you would be interested in going to a local meeting, I am willing to come and go along with you.

Nationally - Public Servants’ Prayer continues to increase it’s reach in every state, and we have made several trips to Washington DC recently. As you may have heard, there are a few more Hoosiers out in D.C. now. :)

Statewide - The legislative session went well this year. We had innumerable interactions publicly and privately while ministering to staff, lobbyists, legislators, judges, and executive officers. The 13th Annual Statehouse Prayer Service was attended by more than 800 Hoosiers.

We are planning to increase our staff at the state level to include a new member, Tim Overton. I’ll share more about our growth in the near future. I also serve with a separate entity called the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast. This year we were privileged to have renowned speaker and author Dr. Os Guinness address more than 650 leaders, including the Governor of the state of Indiana.

Internationally - We continue to partner with our friend, Luciano Bongarra from Argentina. He is seeing ministries begin in capitols all across South America as well as around the world. He has asked our team to join him for another “Global Conference of Parliament and Faith” in Jerusalem later this year. I’m truly looking forward to speaking to that group of pastoral and political leaders. As you can see, by God’s grace and Providential hand, these ministries are thriving in the political arena. Please continue to pray for us as we minister where souls are often overlooked in favor of reaching political goals. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 is needed as much now as it has ever been.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Your prayers and support are the mechanism behind this ministry! Thank you! Matt Barnes