Summer Newsletter 2026

MATTHEW BARNES
Indiana Statehouse Chaplain

Conference in Buenos Aires

Greetings, I hope this summer newsletter finds you well. Our team has had a full schedule since the close of the legislative session. One of the more momentous opportunities we had following session was a mission trip to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, where our good friend, Luciano Bongarra (Founder and President of Parliament and Faith), invited us to be a part of their leadership conference. Former State Senator John Crane, State Representative Timothy Wesco and his wife Kathryn, and our son Micah joined us on this trip. The event was held in the Palacio Libertad, a beautiful building just down the street from their "White House” (which is actually pink) and in the beautiful River District.

Matt, Micah, Rep. Tim & Kathryn Wesco, John Crane, Adam Nathanson (translator & friend) 

Matt, capital staffer, Adam, John, Micah, Tim, Katie

On the opening night of the conference, there were more than 1,000 people in attendance. The following days were days packed with learning, teaching, and networking. PSP had the opportunity to present a Bible to former Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales. It was a joy to get to know him as well as many other leaders from around South America. Representative Wesco was able to personally connect with an Argentine state legislator who had many questions about having a personal relationship with Christ. There were wonderful friendships established and much sharing of the Gospel in the few days that we spent together. Please pray for God to continue to work as these relationships grow online.

Opening night

Presenting Bible to President Morales

 Praying with Argentine Economic Development Director

Matthew delivering keynote address and Micah joining him on stage

Patagonia, Argentina

After the conference, we were able to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains of Patagonia with Luciano, his wife Marina, and a few others on their leadership team. It was a peaceful place full of great cultural experiences. We really enjoyed our fellowship together.

Parliament and Faith alongside PSP enjoying Patagonia.

A Note from Former Senator John Crane

"I had the privilege of joining Chaplain Matt Barnes, Representative Tim Wesco, his wife, Katie, and Micah Barnes for a week of high-level ministry and leadership training in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Parlamento & Fe (Parliament & Faith) organization hosted a gathering of more than 1,000 parliamentary and other leaders from over 35 nations at the Palacio Libertad. It included 3 days of leadership presentations and networking.

Beyond that, I really appreciated being able to visit with Ambassador Eyal Sela, the Israeli ambassador to Argentina and his wife. We had the chance to meet (and pray) with the Economic Development Director of Entre Rios, as well. Another highlight was being able to provide a monogrammed Bible to former president of Guatemala, Jimmy Morales. It was a;so amazing to visit the national capital of Argentina, including the House and Senate chambers.

It is always such a privilege to be able to join a group of committed Christian leaders who understand the stakes on the global stage and are thoughtfully engaging in the political arena. My time with members of the PSP team is always memorable. And our trip to Argentina was no exception!"

Senator Crane and Matt at the conference in Buenos Aires 

 Praying with a staffer outside the Argentine Capitol.

Future Trips

Our trip with legislators to Israel was canceled this spring because the tour company did not consider it safe to go because of the unrest there. Lord willing, we will return sometime in the future to continue to network with leaders in Israel.

Matthew will be traveling to share the ministry at various churches in Texas in July.

Our team will be traveling to D.C. in September for several meetings with national leaders there.

We are in the process of planning another mission trip to Zambia in October. We have been asked to teach a couple of leadership conferences there in Lusaka and Livingstone.

Welcoming a new PSP Team Member 

I would like to introduce to you the newest member of our PSP team, Pastor Brian Stewart. Pastor Stewart and his church in Monroe County have long been supporters of PSP. About 8 years ago, Pastor Stewart felt led to minister to his community’s public servants on a local level, similar to what we do at the Statehouse. When he found out that his local government meets on Wednesday nights, right when his church has midweek service, he realized he wouldn’t be able to attend. He looked for other ways to connect, began meeting with the township government officials, and soon discovered a need for chaplaincy at the local volunteer fire department which he was happy to fill. Since that time, Pastor Stewart has been asked to be the official chaplain for all of the Monroe County fire departments. His ministry now includes a regular route, meeting with firefighters in their various areas, and he is even called out to emergency situations when the need arises. He has become an integral part of the fire department community and a real blessing to the county fire departments. God has opened up many additional ministry doors in his community as a result of his efforts. 

This is the vision that we have for reaching the tens of thousands of local government elected and appointed leaders, police, fire, and emergency personnel across the state of Indiana. We would like to see God lay it on the heart of local pastors throughout the state (and every state!) to expand their ministries to include ministering to their local public servants. Our goal is to see at least one church in all 92 counties across the state of Indiana ministering in some way to these local public servants. We currently have about 12 counties being served, and we're glad to have Pastor Brian Stewart now leading this effort to help further establish this vital chaplaincy program.

BRIAN STEWART
Director of Project 1816 

Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” 

In every community there are numerous public servants - elected officials, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, school leaders, military families, and public employees who carry weight that many never see. The vision for Project 1816 is to help churches understand and engage the public servants God has placed within these local communities. The heart of Project 1816 is simple: God has given His people a gift, and that gift is not merely a talent, personality, or opportunity. It is the life, truth, compassion, and presence of Christ working through His people. It is expressed through prayer and pastoral care, reaching those who serve in positions of responsibility, pressure, leadership, and public trust. Through this gift, the church can come alongside public servants with spiritual support, biblical encouragement, and faithful care as they carry the burdens of service in their communities.

One of the major developments currently underway is the creation of a training manual for ministry to public servants. This resource is being designed to help pastors, chaplains, and church leaders understand how to approach elected officials with humility, wisdom, prayer, and biblical purpose. The goal is not political influence, but spiritual service. It is a ministry of presence that seeks to build relationships, offer care, and point leaders to God’s truth as they carry the burden of public responsibility.

In addition, we are developing a lesson series showing what God says about chaplaincy and its value in helping churches reach their public servants. This series will walk through biblical principles that demonstrate why presence matters, why relationships open doors, and why the church must not overlook those who serve in visible and demanding roles within the community. 

The ultimate goal of Project 1816 is not to replace the local church, but to help strengthen and equip it. Chaplaincy is one way a church can move beyond the walls of the building and faithfully minister to those God has already placed within reach. As we continue developing these resources, please pray with us that God would raise up pastors, churches, and chaplains who understand the value of reaching public servants with the love of Christ and the truth of God’s Word.

PAMELA RUSSELL
Indiana Statehouse Women's Chaplain

When the Mission Field Gives Back

I am currently out of commission because of surgery, and my needs were such that for the first two weeks following surgery I had to have round-the-clock care. My daughter was able to be here from Wisconsin for a few days, my youngest son is also helping me, as is my church. But filling the gaps in between are women from our Statehouse ministry, from statewide leaders to janitors. They have visited, called, and told me they are praying for me. One has been leading my Bible study. Others have spent the night, cleaned house, done laundry, brought meals, and managed a plumbing crisis for me. They tell me, “We’ve got this!” “We love you.” It is all very humbling. But it is fruit, fruit that can be credited to your account who have invested so faithfully in me and the Lord’s work in the political arena (Philippians 4:17). I praise the Lord for you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

MARSHA WILLIAMSON
Women's Ministry

This summer has been a season of gratitude and encouragement for me as I continue serving with the Public Servants Prayer ministry. It is truly a joy and privilege to be part of a ministry that faithfully prays for and supports those who serve our communities and state. 

While the legislature is not in session and our pace has moderated somewhat, we have enjoyed wonderful opportunities for fellowship with the ladies from our Tuesday Bible study. Building deeper relationships outside of our regular study time has been a tremendous blessing. This 
summer the ladies shared a movie night and an ice cream social together, and we look forward to additional opportunities to connect, encourage one another, and grow in our faith. 

I am also excited about several upcoming opportunities PSP will have to partner with Christian universities as we begin planning for a 2027 student internship program. We look forward to recruiting and mentoring interns who have a heart for ministry, prayer, and public service. Our hope is to provide meaningful opportunities for young leaders to grow spiritually while gaining firsthand experience serving alongside our ministry.

ANITA LUCKHAUPT
Executive Assistant 

I want to focus my update on recognizing the amazing "behind-the-scenes" PSP workers, many of whom are volunteers, who make our ministry successful. These are individuals you may be less familiar with, but they provide a wealth of support to PSP and without them we would not be able to carry out the work we do. 

Miriam Barnes spends countless hours making us look intelligent by editing newsletters, documents, flyers, etc. She also plans and organizes our Statehouse events and ministry trips and takes care of the reservations, food, and activities. 

Sarah (Barnes) Knoerzer is basically a "jack of all trades". She is our team photographer and graphic designer, creating our event invitations and programs, business cards, Christmas and birthday cards, etc. She handles ordering team apparel, banners, and other ministry supplies, and sends out our newsletter. Her husband Trey serves as support during session for our bi-weekly Bagels and Books and is also a great encouragement to our team.

Emma Barnes tracks our financial gifts—which Matthew often refers to as manna—by documenting & recording each gift. 

Nathan Amick & Micah Barnes are technical geniuses. They have been working on updating our website in their “spare” time. This is an on-going effort given the constant changes in the political arena and endless updates in the field of technology. 

Trisha Voorhis continues to faithfully help Pam by doing tasks like sending out weekly reminders of the ladies' Bible study at the Statehouse.

Eric Luckhaupt, my husband, has been assisting the team with heading up our Bagels & Books, which we offer every other week during session, as well as supporting me in the work to which I have been called. 

We are so thankful for all of these essential people that God has provided that cause the ministry to run smoothly!

Last, but certainly not least in the crucial group of behind-the-scenes supporters, are the individual prayer warriors that tirelessly and fervently pray for our ministry. For those of you who fit in this category, we can not say enough about how important your prayers are, and we ask that you continue to pray specifically for:

-Our families
-Pam’s recovery from hip surgery
-Marsha’s recovery from foot surgery
-Upcoming trips to Texas, D.C., and Zambia this year
-Financial provision
-Wisdom in counseling and decision making
-God to continue to grant us favor with leadership in the political arena
-More laborers - we would love to see a church in each of our 92 counties serving in their local governments through Project 1816

Please Pray for our PSP Team and Families

1. Matthew & Miriam Barnes
2. Pam Russell 
3. Tim Lindsey
4. Brian & Danielle Stewart
5. Rita & Darrel Bowman 
6. Anita & Eric Luckhaupt
7. Sarah & Trey Knoerzer 
8. Nathan Amick
9. Marsha & Tracy Williamson
10. Trisha Voorhis 
11. Emma Barnes
12. Micah Barnes

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support. We could not do what we do without you!

By His Grace Alone, 
Your Public Servants' Prayer Team