Almost three thousand years ago, the son of King David penned the following words, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, His friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! –Ecclesiastes 4:9

Marriage certainly illustrates this truth. I have benefited enormously from being Debby Garriott’s husband for the past 36 years. When Debby and I started out to develop Ministry to State, we often wondered what God would do with our commitment to His calling. Yet we did not see or understand then that others within the church would also be committed to the same form of ministry as we are.

As a means of better understanding how God is using others in the development of ministry to government, a MTS Symposium was held in September at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. The group of teaching and ruling elders over the course of two days prayed, shared and ate together in encouraging fellowship. It was a means of better discerning what our Lord has been doing with His church and those who serve in government domestically and internationally. It was a reminder that we are not alone in the ministry. Here are some examples of what I took away from the gathering.

First, it was clear that a growing gospel commitment is being made on the part of others to engage with civil leaders and those who serve them. There are different friends who have discerned independently a call to minister in government centers. Rodney Wood who develops ministry to those in the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge is one example. He spent over six years praying and visiting the capitol before there was any interest in his ministry. Eventually he was invited by legislatures to lead a Bible study which he has for many years.

Secondly, I was reminded that a large portion of the church’s leadership find ministry to those in government awkward. In some cases it is a lack of awareness of the needs and opportunity. At other times there is confusion about the appropriateness of such a ministry. There are growing churches in capital communities that give little or no thought to what they can do to reach such a critical element of their culture. There was a consensus among the group that further education and mentoring is needed.
The need for prayer was an added concern of our gathering. A church may argue their case for why they show no concern for the government center and its people in which exist in their city. However, it is hard to argue against the clear Biblical mandate to properly pray for those in leadership. But why pray if you are not willing to be a means of God’s answer?

Regardless we need to improve our ability in assisting the church to pray intelligently and specifically for those in leadership. We all benefit

Chuck and Debby Garriott
2908 18th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
C 202 316 5571
[email protected]