Spring Newsletter 2025

MATTHEW BARNES
Indiana Statehouse Chaplain

Twenty-One Years of Statehouse Ministry 

This legislative session marked my 21st session serving in ministry at the Indiana Statehouse. Each year is different, but I am always thankful for the friendships and favor God has given us in the Capitol. So much happens during session that it could fill a book! It is incredibly difficult to summarize all that takes place, but we will try to highlight a few things in this newsletter. 

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Statehouse Prayer Service

We had more than five hundred people participate in our 21st annual Statehouse Prayer Service. We were honored to have the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, among many others, lead in prayer for their areas of jurisdiction.  

Statehouse Prayer Service

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Inaugural Ceremonies 

Immediately following the inauguration ceremony of Indiana's new Governor and Lt. Governor, a legislator and I  flew to Mar-a-Lago (otherwise known as the Southern White House) to participate in the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast and Lunch. 

Governor/ Lt. Governor Inauguration

Inaugural Prayer Breakfast/Lunch at Mar-a-Lago

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"Miss Bea"

Our friend Bea White is retiring after 25 years as a receptionist for the House of Representatives. She has been like a grandma to me in the Statehouse, always willing to pray for our ministry and our family. She will be sorely missed!  

CH Matt Barnes and "Miss Bea"

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Bagels & Books

Every other week during Session, we host a Bagels & Books event where we provide coffee, bagels, and Christian resources such as counseling books and pamphlets, biographies, and Bibles. This year, we had the honor of featuring many authors that came in to sign their books. One of these authors was Rep. Vernon Smith (pictured here with Sen. Shelli Yoder) who wrote, “A Light Unto My Path.” 

 Rep. Vernon Smith and Senator Shelli Yoder

Bagels & Books 

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Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast

This was my 14th year being the chairman and M.C. of the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast. This year we had Dr. Os Guinness as our keynote speaker. Governor Mike Bruan spoke as well.

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Radio Broadcast

On occasion, we receive requests for interviews with the press. One such interview happened recently with Abdul Hakim Shabazz. The interview was aired on the largest radio station in the state, WIBC. 

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Prayer Requests

1. Please pray for the health of our daughter Emma and son Micah.
2. Our transmission went out in our van, and though we have a temporary replacement, we need wisdom in what to do for a family vehicle.
3. Please pray for our mission trip to Paraguay coming up in May. I will be traveling and speaking alongside former State Senator John Crane to an estimated gathering of 40 nations who are interested in learning more about how to minister to their leaders.  
4. My brother Ryan's wife, Racheal (39), was unexpectedly hospitalized in December and passed away in February. She leaves behind my brother and 5 children. This has been a difficult time for them. Please pray for our family and for Ryan and the kids specifically as they mourn and navigate a new normal. 
5. Our website is in the process of getting a much needed update. Beyond that, we no longer have access to the source where we were getting our legislative data that we use to provide the daily emails of three legislators to pray for throughout our nation. Indiana and Tennessee are back up and running. Please pray that God would provide the resources to get the rest of the states back up in a timely manner.

Thank you for all your faithful prayers and support!

Team Highlight

CH Matt Barnes & Governor Eric Holcomb 

Sagamore of the Wabash 

Our team is blessed to share that our Chaplain Matt Barnes was honored to receive the highest honor the Indiana Governor can bestow on a citizen - the Sagamore of the Wabash.

PAMELA RUSSELL
Indiana Statehouse Women's Chaplain

Soup's On - For the "Special Caucus" 

In January, one of our legislators lost her husband unexpectedly. This was after the death of an adult child last fall. The loss and shock overwhelmed her. One of her colleagues came to me and said, “We do not know how to help her. None of us in our caucus has lost a spouse, but you have. And we know there are other widows and widowers among the legislators. Can you do something for them?” So, after much prayer and some planning, we started a support group for widows and widowers called the “Special Caucus.” (There are many different caucuses in the Statehouse, so this name is relevant to this community.) We have now met twice for dinner and meaningful conversation in my home. I guide the conversation by asking one or two pointed questions, and always make sure the Gospel gets shared with the group. One member described this time as “phenomenal.” They want to keep meeting even after session ends. Praise the Lord.
 
The Lord continues to show us ways we can broaden ministry to our leaders and public servants, often in ways we do not anticipate, and in ways we did not orchestrate. 

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
(James 1:27)

TIM LINDSEY
City-County Building Chaplain

Pastors' Statehouse Day 

On Pastors’ Statehouse Day, we invite pastors from each of the freshmen legislators' districts to come meet their new legislator, pray with them, and present them with a Bible. Each Bible has been imprinted with the Indiana State Seal and the legislator's name on it. This year, we had 21 new legislators, including the Governor and Lt. Governor. It is always encouraging to see pastors minister to their legislators and begin to build a relationship with them.

The pastors begin the day by hearing from former and current legislators we have invited to speak. This year, we were joined by Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, State Representatives J.D. Prescott, Dale Devon, and Tim Wesco, and former State Senator John Crane. Each speaker challenged us to see the humanity of our public servants, the role Christians play in the political arena, and the areas that need covered in prayer. Following, we were able to pray for them and their specific needs.

Some highlights of the day included Lt. Governor Beckwith sitting down at the piano and leading us in a stirring rendition of “How Great Thou Art”; Governor Braun inviting us to his office where he shared his passion to study the Bible; and the joy on the pastors’ faces as they ministered to their public servants.

PSP Team & Pastors Praying for Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith

Bible Presentation to Rep. Ethan Lawson

Bible Presentation to Governor Mike Braun

Late that night, actually early the next morning, both chambers adjourned “sine die” marking the end of the 2025 session. It was a long day, but one full of blessings, new opportunities, and lasting memories.

After nearly 20 hours at the Statehouse, Matt, Jessica, & Tim celebrated the fall of the gavel, closing out the 2025 legislative session, "sine die," around 2 AM.

VICKI MAUGHMER
Judicial Prayer Director

Cass County Courthouse  

Our ministry that began last August at the Cass County Government Building continues to meet twice a month. It has been a time to promote the truth of God’s Word and encourage spiritual growth. The faithful group attending have studied the Word of God and prayed for their fellow co-workers. The hand of God has worked miraculously among a select few who have experienced some heartbreaking circumstances. Praying for these, we have witnessed the ultimate healing of Christ. I ask that you continue to pray that this unique ministry would be the salt and light in the Cass County Government Building. We are grateful for your support and prayers!

RITA BOWMAN
City-County Building & Indianapolis Fire Department Women's Chaplain

Waffles & A Word 

Last month, Chaplain Tim Lindsey and I were privileged to participate in the quarterly “Waffles & A Word” event hosted by Trustee Freeman and her gracious team. We were blessed to share the gift of God’s encouraging words of comfort and prayer with many visitors from the community and members of the staff at the Julia Carson Government Center. The offer of a hearty breakfast, a laminated verse of Scripture, and a time of prayer with the Chaplains (myself and CH Tim) were all warmly and readily received! 

ANITA LUCKHAUPT
Ministry Assistant

Christian School Day - Launch!   

I thoroughly enjoyed the events hosted by PSP this session. I loved meeting new people at Books & Bagels and hearing our legislators speak boldly about their faith at our Faith@Work events. However, my favorite event was our first ever Christian School Day. I especially loved helping organize and launch this event and seeing it come to fruition.

Students from several schools came together for a "catch choir."

What a blessing it was that within two weeks of the initial invitation, we had to cap registrations at 275 students, plus the additional number of teachers that would attend. Each student received a PSP drawstring backpack, a Bible with the Statehouse on the cover, and educational materials (see Sarah's pictures below!) The students got to hear from several legislators about their work in the Statehouse, how their faith impacts their work, and how to best pray for them. During and after lunch, many students had the opportunity to meet with their elected leaders (some even met with Governor Braun!), go on a Statehouse Tour, and/or watch the legislative process of committee hearings. It was a productive and meaningful day!

Guest Speaker - Speaker of the House Todd Huston 

Dr. Kevin Suiter & CH Matt Barnes Praying for Rep. Mitch Gore

CH Pam Russell Praying for Guest Speakers, State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla & Daughter Claire Neumann 

First Christian School Day at the Statehouse

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Statehouse Tour with My Granddaughter 

A personal highlight for me this year was having the opportunity to bring my nine-year-old granddaughter to the Statehouse to participate in our ministry for two days. Many legislators went out of their way to greet her, and she was also able to meet several statewide elected officials including the Lt. Governor, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller. Matthew gave her a tour of the Capitol building which she thoroughly enjoyed. She sent me a thank you note and signed it “Senator” Afton Luckhaupt.  :)

"Senator" Afton Luckhaupt on her Grand Tour of the Statehouse 

Sarah Knoerzer
Executive Assistant

Graphic & Web Design  

I've truly enjoyed "officially" joining the PSP team this year  and having the unique opportunity to work alongside my dad. A highlight for me during this session was designing two tri-fold pamphlets for Christian School Day. The first, "Blueprint of A Bill," is a visually engaging flyer that breaks down the process of how a bill becomes a law. I also crafted a Chaplain Brochure to showcase our mission and values with clarity and impact. (Check out the photos below!) Beyond that, (along with assisting my dad as needed) I have been working with Nathan Amick to redesign our website, giving it a user friendly update to better reflect our goals and connect with our audience more. I am excited to keep contributing to these projects! 

"The Blueprint of A Bill"

PSP Chaplains Informational Brochure

Jessica Ray
Executive Assistant

Faith@Work 

On many mornings during the legislative session, our team can be found making our way into the Statehouse before the sun has peaked over the horizon. Such mornings include the Wednesdays when staff and interns gathered for Faith@Work to hear from Christian leaders about their faith and its impact on their work. It was such a blessing to watch as God used this time to bring public servants and state employees with vastly different political views together to hear how Christ has been working in each of their lives. Every one of these events proved to be an encouragement to the leaders and staff. We praise the Lord for all He has done in hearts through this event. 

Rep. Cherrish Pryor & Rep. J.D. Prescott
Faith@Work Speakers

Faith@Work 

PSP Family  

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." - 1 John 4:7

Over the years, the Public Servants' Prayer team has evolved in my life from a position of work relationships, to dear friendships, to family. I am so thankful for the opportunity to partner in ministry and "do life" with such kindred hearts and minds. Amidst all of the truly amazing things God has been doing in the ministry, our team has also undergone some deep testing - personal losses, sickness, and heartbreak. Through it all, our PSP "family" has been nothing short of a gift from God to each of us. It seems that this session, perhaps more than others, we have prioritized times for team fellowship which has proved to be very meaningful and life-giving. Please continue to uplift each member of our team and our families in prayer. Your prayers make a difference! 

Please pray for our PSP team and families. 

1. Matthew & Miriam Barnes
2. Pam Russell 
3. Tim Lindsey
4. Vicki Maughmer
5. Rita Bowman 
6. Eric & Anita Luckhaupt
7. Trey & Sarah Knoerzer 
8. Kevin Wolfe
9. Nathan Amick
10. Jessica Ray 

Please be assured that you are in our prayers as well! 

Ephesians 3:14-21

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

By His Grace, 

Your Public Servants' Prayer Team