March 29, 2012
Today is Day 40 of the Legislative Session, commonly known as Sine Die, which is a Latin term meaning, “without day.” Sine Die is the last day that the General Assembly can vote for a bill, and they will do so until very late (probably midnight). Please pray that the members of the General Assembly will be “fully convinced” in their mind as they vote (see Romans 14:5-6). Our state leaders have been established by God to serve as His ministers (see Romans 13:1-4). Therefore, let us pray that they will submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 14:7-8), and seek God’s glory as a matter of first priority (as opposed to partisanship, personal advantage, or political expediency). As God is the Lord of the conscience, please join me in praying that members will vote “from faith” (Romans 14:23).
Praise:
Praise God for the ability to represent and glorify Christ among state officials and staff, and to do so in a manner that blesses and honors them. Through personal engagement, they are able to witness first-hand that there are Christians who care for and love them, regardless of political persuasion.
Praise God for the abundant opportunities to present the gospel, both through the Bible study notes and in personal meetings with elected officials and staff in their offices.
Praise God for leading more members of the Capitol community to become more personally involved in the ministry of Capitol Commission.
Praise God for the appreciation for and recognition of the Capitol Commission ministry. We are humbled by House Resolution 1837, which recognizes and commends the ministry, and for the kind letter from Governor Deal, which was presented at last week’s Bible study.
Praise God also for the love and support of all those who attended the 3 weekly Bible studies during session, and pray for God’s grace to be abundant in their lives.
Praise God for our corporate sponsors of the Bible study luncheons: Georgia EMC, Walton EMC Natural Gas, Georgia Transmission, and Oglethorpe Power.
Prayer:
Please pray for the many members of the General Assembly who are retiring today, and for those who will take their seats in the House and Senate!
Please continue to pray that God will bless the Bible studies, personal appointments, and office visits to draw many of our legislators to salvation in Christ Jesus, to establish those who have a desire to grow in their faith and in their knowledge of Scripture, and to equip those who have been called to spiritual leadership.
Please pray that God will bless the interim Bible studies at the Capitol, and the Public Service Commission (PSC) devotionals/prayers when those are presented.
Please pray for the ministry as I will be meeting with those who serve and/or work at the Capitol year-round and as I meet with legislators in their home districts during the interim. We also will be visiting with businesses, churches, and ministry partners, in addition to planning several fundraisers for the ministry which are necessary not only for our budget but also to share the ministry of Capitol Commission with more people. Pray that our time will be used wisely and that God will grant opportunities for both ministry and support.
Please pray that God will bless and grant wisdom to those who seek Him, as they decide upon laws that impact our lives profoundly.
Thank you for your prayers on behalf of us and the ministry, which are making a difference! Your faithful prayers and support are not only used by the Lord to enable us in this ministry, but also to impact lives for eternity. Thank you for your partnership with us in this strategic harvest field of our Capitol community.
By God's Grace and for His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Pastor/Missionary, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
All gifts are tax deductive as allowed by law. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation operating exclusively for charitable and religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Find us on GuideStar.
You can find our donate page online by clicking here. You can also view and print our Partner Response Card by clicking here and mail to the following: Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244.
February 17, 2012
The halfway mark of the legislative session was reached this week. Each week during the legislative session, I lead weekly in-depth Bible studies inside the state Capitol (for legislators, lobbyists, staff) and handdeliver 500 printed copies to each legislative office, in addition to as many executive and judicial offices as possible. I also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide personal biblical counsel.
What is the importance for proclaiming the gospel message and providing the teaching of God’s Word? The answer is that it is vital to reach Capitol communities for Christ. Morality and politics are interrelated. Politics is an extension of ethics, and ethics is an extension of theology. Ethics involves decision making in all realms of life.
The rationale for that decision-making is not always obvious because it is based upon one’s worldview (i.e. one’s reason for living, one’s decision for the focus of their life, and one’s consequences for those decisions). One’s worldview is their answer to the following questions: (1) what is ultimate reality?; (2) what is the goal of history?; (3) what is man?; (4) what occurs at death?; and, (5) what is the basis of authority for morality?
Theology is the answer to those questions. Therefore, your theology will determine your ethics, from which is determined morality and politics. It is absolutely critical then to abide in the truth of God’s Word and in the Savior, so that one’s ethics are based upon the spirit of truth, not the spirit of error. Good men and women—because God has constituted them as such—will make good politics.
Romans 10:17 states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” For government leaders to have faith it requires that someone proclaim God’s Word to them. Capitol Commission is already doing this in 20 states, but, at least in Georgia, we need to be doing more to reach our Capitol community. Please pray for God’s enablement to do so. You can help by praying, and also sharing financially with this ministry to enable us to faithfully proclaim God’s Word.
By God's Grace and for His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Pastor/Missionary, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
All gifts are tax deductive as allowed by law. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation operating exclusively for charitable and religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Find us on GuideStar.
You can find our donate page online by clicking here. You can also view and print our Partner Response Card by clicking here and mail to the following: Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244.
Anything you could send would help keep us moving forward, and we would be most grateful. Whatever your response, please do keep our capitol community and the Georgia ministry in prayer. Please also, let us know if we can pray for you or serve you in any manner. Thank you for your friendship and partnership!
December 30, 2011
We cannot thank you enough for your partnership with us. “Partner” is the name that Scripture uses for those who empower and help others in ministry (Phil 1:3-5a). At a time when much of the nation is struggling economically and many ministries are forced to make their outreaches smaller, Capitol Commission is very grateful that we are able to continue our evangelistic and discipleship outreach through your partnership with us. Your partnership empowers and helps us in the following:
- Evangelizing those who have not experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16)
- Establishing those who have a desire to grow in their faith and in their knowledge of Scripture (Col 2:6-7)
- Equipping those who have been called to spiritual leadership (Eph 4:11-12)
- Encouraging and Enabling the church to participate in the process with us (1 Tim 2:1-4)
- Enlisting individuals, businesses, and churches to become strategic prayer and financial partners (2 Cor 8:3-6)
- Engaging those who desire to participate in this ministry by offering their time and talents (Matt 25:20)
- Entreating God to bless all facets of this ministry as we look to Him for guidance, wisdom, and ways to bring Him glory (1 Chron 4:10)
- Enjoying the opportunity to witness God's tremendous providence and provision (Ps 37:4-6)
Our mutual effort has the result of reaching capitol communities for Christ. Together, we are making a difference not only for our present times, but also (and more importantly) for eternity.
We have quickly approached the end of the fiscal year, and for many people and companies this is also a time to make charitable contributions at the end of the year. For this reason, we would like to propose to each one of you the possibility of sending a tax-deductible contribution to Capitol Commission. We know that many people are already exercising good prudence and stewardship with regard to important expenditures. Anything you could send would help keep us moving forward, and we would be most grateful. Whatever your response, please do keep our capitol community and the Georgia ministry in prayer. Please also, let us know if we can pray for you or serve you in any manner. Thank you for your friendship and partnership!
By God's Grace and for His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
All gifts are tax deductive as allowed by law. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation operating exclusively for charitable and religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Find us on GuideStar.
You can find our donate page online by clicking here. You can also view and print our Partner Response Card by clicking here and mail to the following: Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326-0244.
November 1, 2011
Effingham Partnership Dinner
Thursday, 1 December
The purpose of the Partnership Dinner is to inform and update people in the Effingham County area about the vision and mission of Capitol Commission, and to offer people an opportunity to participate with us in this important ministry to reach the Capitol community for Christ.
There is no cost for the Dinner (adults only, please). Please RSVP/register online.
If you are interested in serving as a Table Sponsor or Table Host, please contact the Georgia State Director by email at ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org or call (912) 659-4212.
All are welcome to join us as we discuss Capitol Commission, and the church's mandate to reach our government leaders with the gospel message.
The Capitol Commission dinner evening will be at the Memorial Chapel (First Baptist Church of Rincon) on Highway 21 and 6th Street. Seating begins at 6:30pm. The dinner program is from 7-9pm.
October 6, 2011
CAPITOL COMMISSION Receives the GuideStar Exchange Seal
RALEIGH, NC – CAPITOL COMMISSION recently received the GuideStar Exchange Seal, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability provided by GuideStar USA, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. The Seal demonstrates to CAPITOL COMMISSION’s vast support-base our deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability.
"We have worked hard to showcase our progress toward our mission, and our long-held belief in being transparent about our work, to our constituents," said the ministry's president Jim Young. "As a GuideStar Exchange member, we use their platform to share a wealth of up-to-date information about our work to our supporters and GuideStar's immense online audience of nonprofits, grantmakers, individual donors, and the media."
In order to be awarded the GuideStar Exchange Seal, CAPITOL COMMISSION had to fill out every required field of our nonprofit report page on GuideStar, including our annual report, photos, videos, etc.
"I encourage you to check out our profile on GuideStar to see what we're all about," added Jim Young. "We are engaged in exciting initiatives, and we are thrilled to have another platform for communicating our advancement and progress."
About the GuideStar Exchange The GuideStar Exchange is an initiative designed to connect nonprofits with current and potential supporters. With millions of people coming to GuideStar to learn more about nonprofit organizations, the GuideStar Exchange allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with GuideStar's many audiences. Becoming a GuideStar Exchange member is free of charge. To join, organizations need to update their report pages, completing all required fields for membership. The GuideStar Exchange Seal, acknowledged as a symbol of transparency in the nonprofit sector, is displayed on all Exchange members' report pages.
Reaching the Capitol Community for Christ,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
Please pray with regard to partnership financially to help in the expansion of this ministry. We are a faith ministry, which means we are dependent upon contributions from churches and individuals (and yes, no gift is too small). Thank you to those who have given one-time gifts and those who give monthly: you are a blessing!!
September 2, 2011
On Wednesday (31 August) the 151st General Assembly adjourned sine die for the second time this year. The special session was called by Governor Nathan Deal to address three legislative issues: (1) legislative and congressional redistricting; (2) regional transportation referendums; and, (3) ratification of the governor’s “gas tax” suspension. Redistricting, which occurs every ten years, was the primary issue.
Was the special session a success with regard to redistricting? It depends who you ask. There are those who believe the Voting Rights Act was distorted in favor of political advantage. There are others who believe differently and would affirm that the new maps are fair and legal. Who is right? Capitol Commission was not organized as a national ministry to answer that question. The mission of Capitol Commission is obedience to the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) within the capitol communities of the world. Our mandate is to see the hearts and lives of elected officials transformed with the Word of God.
Although our emphasis is not upon legislation or politics, we can be assured that moral lawmakers will make more moral laws; therefore, we expect our entire state and nation to benefit as this ministry grows. As a ministry, Capitol Commission (and those who partner with us) desires more godly government, and I am certain you desire this also or you would not be reading this ministry update. However, have you thought to answer what you and I are doing to correct this deficiency? William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, stated in the preface to his state constitution:
Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad; if it be ill, they will cure it. . . . I know some say, let us have good laws . . . but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better. . . .
Ethical laws are good, but ethical people are far better. How are people made more ethical? The answer is by the sovereign work of God in the hearts of individuals through the proclamation of the gospel. The gospel is committed to the church; therefore, it is God’s people who have the message that can transform lives. I compel you to join us in faithfully proclaiming the message of God’s grace within the government communities of our nation. Join us in praying that God would demonstrate His grace and mercy to those who do not know Him, and strengthen those who do. May we as “the pillar and support of the truth,” be found faithful in a ministry of grace and discipleship as we reach our government communities for Christ.
- Please pray with regard to partnership in the ministry of Capitol Commission.
- Please pray for our elected officials, and contact me if I can help you or your congregation in praying specifically for those in authority over us.
- Please join us at our Savannah luncheon on Friday, 23 September, to learn more with regard to the church's mandate to reach our government leaders with the gospel message.
- Please pray with regard to partnership financially to help in the expansion of this ministry. We have an immediate need for $1000 monthly support (which can be met by 5 churches/individuals at $200/month, 10 churches/individuals at $100/month, or even a one-time gift). We are a faith ministry, which means we are dependent upon contributions from churches and individuals (and yes, no gift is too small). Thank you to those who currently give: you are a blessing!!
By God’s Grace and For His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
July 1, 2011
Happy Fourth of July weekend! As you celebrate our nation’s independence and individual freedom, you may be interested in the recent study in Jude’s Epistle, with regard to remembering the past. You can click here to read it.
Each week during the legislative session, I lead weekly in-depth Bible studies inside the Capitol (for legislators, lobbyists, staff) and handdeliver 500 printed copies to each legislative office, in addition to as many executive and judicial offices as possible. I also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide personal biblical counsel. During the interim, I teach a monthly Bible study and handdeliver approximately 250 printed copies to staff who work year-round at the Capitol. Also, during the interim, the opportunities to meet with our government leaders have progressed from the Capitol to politicians’ home districts. By not only maintaining a regular presence in the Capitol, but also by visiting our elected officials in their districts, God has graciously provided relationships that continue to deepen, which allows for an increase of opportunties to serve our leaders. Certainly, the most biblical and profitable posture toward our elected officials is to serve them with love and respect, while presenting the truth of God’s Word in a challenging and stimulating manner.
By God’s Grace and For His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
May 4, 2011
Thursday, 5 May, is the National Day of Prayer. I received the following words from Shaun Lewis, who is the Illinois State Director for Capitol Commission, and believe they are relevant enough to share with you.
It's no secret that our political leaders pray. Almost every state legislature opens in prayer, and every U.S. President from Washington to Obama has openly affirmed faith in God. Lincoln called our nation to find strength through prayer and fasting. Truman designated a day of national prayer, and Reagan later set its date as the first Thursday of May. All of this sounds encouraging, doesn't it? Yet, something isn't quite right.
A year ago, I met with a legislator who spoke of his faith in Jesus Christ and said he prayed reguarly. Good start to our meeting, but it soon became apparent we didn't believe in the same Jesus. Like Jefferson, this legislator would pray "through Jesus Christ our Lord" while rejecting all of the Lord's miracles.
Everyone prays. Not everyone believes.
Public prayers for our nation may be sincere and well-crafted, but not all are heard. Why? Because not everyone who prays submits to the Jesus of the Bible, God as revealed in Scripture.
Our California State Director (Frank Erb) therefore exhorted: "Let's all be praying for our nation. We live in a country where many people pray in their own way, but far fewer are yielded to Jesus Christ, which, as 1 Timothy 2:1-8 shows us, is foundational. We who understand this have a responsibility, therefore, to be interceding for our government leaders” (including their staff and the entire Capitol community).
Pray with thanksgiving for the divine provision of government and the grace of civic order. Pray that our leaders would seek God’s empowerment and wisdom. Pray for Capitol staff, who advise and often serve sacrificially with our elected officials. Pray for protection and sustenance for our leaders and their families. Most importantly recognize that one will not heed the principles of Scripture if they reject the Author. Therefore, according to 1 Timothy 2:1-4, pray that God would demonstrate His grace and mercy to those who do not know Him.
As you join me in praying for the Capitol community, you may find the following resources helpful:
Capitol Commission Prayer Calendars
“How to Pray for Political Leaders”
By God’s Grace and For His Glory,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org
www.capitolcom.org
February 4, 2011
Thank you for your prayers for the ministry of Capitol Commission. I have met with several freshman legislators recently and the response I have frequently heard to describe their new role is “like drinking from a fire hydrant.” Your elected officials are working diligently and sacrificially to serve you, and our ministry is working likewise to serve them through the ministry of biblical counsel, prayer, and the Word.
Please continue to pray for everyone among the Capitol community. Pray that the Lord would . . .
- demonstrate His grace and mercy to those who do not know Him, and strengthen those who do.
- bless the proclamation and teaching of His Word, and the humble and righteous prayers to Him in our Capitol.
- strengthen our political leaders to display honor, honesty, and righteousness in their lives and decisions.
The Bible study for the 151st General Assembly is the Book of Ephesians. In this vital study of God’s Word, we receive instruction with regard to many important aspects of the Christian life. As a matter of primary importance, believers need to understand who they are in Christ, and therefore, believing and understanding that we have “every spiritual blessing” through faith in Christ (Eph 1:1-3), we will be better able to live by God’s grace and for His glory. We are excited to also learn how to praise God (1:4-14), how to pray (1:15-23), how believers are made alive in Christ (2:1-22), how believers are empowered by Christ (3:1-21), how to edify one another (4:1-32), how to live in a manner pleasing to God (5:1-17), how to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (5:18-21), how to function in marriage and family relationships (5:22—6:4), how to conduct ourselves in work (6:5-9), and how to escape sin and live victoriously (6:10-24).
Pray for the Capitol Commission Bible studies and for God's Word to impact lives as it is proclaimed and taught in the Capitol during the weekly meetings and through the distribution of the printed studies. Please pray for the Georgia ministry, and for the opportunity to meet with legislators, lobbyists, and staff for the purpose of being a blessing in accord with the will of the Lord. It is exciting to experience the truth of Isaiah 55:10-11.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Please join me in praying for the Capitol community, and rejoicing for all provisions to be met by our gracious Lord.
December 15, 2010
It is not accidental that the Washington Monument is replete with references to God. Believing in God’s providential agency toward individuals and nations, George Washington took the oath of office with the Holy Bible opened to Deuteronomy 28. Washington frequently spoke with regard to biblical themes, such as belief in God as the ruler of nations, the necessity to rely upon God’s revelation in Scripture, and the mutually beneficial relationship between church and state.
The sentiments of our first President were quoted in James K. Paulding’s 1835 biography, A Life of Washington. Washington placed “his chief reliance, in the difficult, almost hopeless circumstances in which he was so often involved, on the justice of that great Being who holds the fate of men and of nations in the hollow of his hand. His hopes for his country are always founded on the righteousness of its cause, and the blessing of Heaven.” In his personal journal, Washington declared, “It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being.”
Washington certainly believed that it is impossible to rightly govern without dependence upon God and His Word. His conviction was certainly biblical. The psalmist declared, “On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps 62:7-8). Second Peter 1:3 also affirms that God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge" of His Word. The Lord Jesus relied solely upon Scripture to overcome the devil (Matt 4:1-11). The reason is because “the word of God is living and active” and powerful, and is profitable to correct us when we are wrong and to teach us what is right (2 Tim 3:16). We all need to rely upon prayer and God’s Word as the source of our strength and the means of our success. Praise the Lord for those past and present leaders of our nation who recognize their personal responsibility.
Our nation will be changed as hearts are transformed! For this reason, Capitol Commission aims for God to work through this ministry (and His church in partnership with us) in transforming the hearts and lives of elected officials with the gospel of grace and through the faithful teaching and application of Scripture.
MINISTRY PRAISE:
- God’s “indescribable gift” in sending His Son to redeem sinners (2 Cor 9:15).
- Capitol Commission now has a ministry presence in 18 states, with the recent addition of Tom McCullough as the Ohio state director.
- God has provided the opportunity to initiate and develop relationships with many among the Capitol community. Many of our state’s leaders and their staff, in addition to some godly lobbyists, have expressed how grateful they are for this ministry and how much it encourages them personally.
- God has provided a core group of godly individuals to help with the 2011 Bible studies during the General Assembly.
- God is multiplying the opportunities to present the ministry in various churches, and with believers and Christian businessmen throughout the state who understand the command to pray (1 Tim 2:1-4) and to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20) as the biblical mandate to the Capitol communities of our nation.
- God has provided finances and partners who continue to pray for this ministry and to give generously to Capitol Commission.
MINISTRY PRAYER:
- Pray for the family of Representative Tony Sellier, who died recently at a hospital in Peach County.
- Pray for the newly elected officials (39 representatives, 16 senators, and 4 congressmen in Georgia; and, 544 leaders in the 18 states where we have a ministry presence), and for opportunity to meet these new legislators for the purpose of being a blessing to them through the ministry of Capitol Commission.
- Pray for God to provide men who meet the biblical qualifications of an elder, who will join in expanding the ministry into many new states.
- Pray for relationships to continue and multiply with those who have not experienced the saving grace of our Savior, and for God to demonstrate His grace to them. Pray for relationships to continue and multiply with those who desire to grow in their faith and their knowledge of Scripture. Pray for opportunity to equip those called to spiritual leadership.
- Pray for favor toward our state directors as we aim to serve and love the Capitol communities of our nation.
- Pray for God to bless the weekly Bible studies. The study of Amos is currently emailed while the General Assembly is not in session and will resume in January with the study of Ephesians.
- Pray for me in balancing a full-time ministry with much traveling, preparation for the 2011 legislative session in January, and for ministry partners who can and will provide necessary resources to continue reaching the Capitol community for Christ.
Please join me in praying for the Capitol community, and rejoicing for all provisions to be met by our gracious Lord.
Our year-end campaign has begun. We do need for each for you to prayerfully consider and remember Capitol Commission as you plan your year-end giving. Since the 2011 legislative session will soon begin, it is crucial for the Georgia ministry to raise budget needs to cover our back salary and ongoing expenses.
We are also seeking monthly partners for 2011. Would you commit to investing $25, $50, $100, $200, or $500 a month? No amount is too small and none too large.
If you are a pastor, please consider Capitol Commission in the missionary budget of your church. If your pastor is not aware that Capitol Commission exists, please share the mandate and vision of the vital ministry to biblically evangelize and disciple the Capitol community for Christ Jesus.
You can contribute today by clicking the following link: donate. You can also mail a check to Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118. THANK YOU for being a blessing!
October 15, 2010
The defining ambition of Capitol Commission is “reaching the Capitol community for Christ.” As a ministry of the church, we seek to proclaim the gospel message, and to help believers mature through the verse-by-verse teaching of Scripture. Patrick Henry’s biographer recalled that the statesman declared the Holy Bible to be “worth all the books that ever were printed.” In his Last Will and Testament, he reflected upon the inheritance for his dear family. Henry concluded, “The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
Of more infinite importance are the words of Psalm 107:20, which states that God gave “His word” to bring spiritual renewal and deliverance from destruction. The mandate of this ministry is to see the hearts and lives of the Capitol community transformed with the Word of God for their benefit and our nation. Thank you for your partnership which makes the Georgia ministry possible. “Partner” is the name the Apostle Paul used for those who empowered and helped him in ministry (Phil 1:3-5a).
Ministry Praise:
- God has provided the opportunity to initiate and develop relationships with many political leaders, in addition to their staff, and some lobbyists.
- There is a multitude eager to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
- Many of our state’s leaders and their staff have expressed how grateful they are for this ministry and how much it encourages them personally.
- God is multiplying the number of evangelical churches that understand the command to pray (1 Tim 2:1-4) and to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20) as the biblical mandate to the Capitol communities of our nation.
Ministry Prayer:
- Pray for the upcoming general election, and that the government that results from this election would have godly wisdom and humility, biblical courage and conviction, and delight in the sufficiency of the living and written Word.
- Pray to better understand the concerns and issues that confront our cities, states, and country. Pray to respond biblically!
- Pray for the newly elected officials (which will be a significant number), and for opportunity to meet these new legislators for the purpose of being a blessing to them through the ministry of Capitol Commission.
- Pray for relationships to continue and multiply with those who have not experienced the saving grace of our Savior, and for God to demonstrate His grace to them.
- Pray for God to bless the Georgia Bible studies, which are currently emailed while the General Assembly is not in session and the staff Bible study is in furlough.
- Pray for me in balancing a full-time ministry with much traveling, preparation for the quickly approaching session, and for ministry partners who can and will provide necessary resources to reach the Capitol community for Christ.
Please join me in praying and rejoicing for all provisions to be met by our gracious Lord.
July 8, 2010
I am greatly humbled and excited to serve the Lord through evangelism and discipleship of our state’s leadership. During this inaugural year in Atlanta and now in local districts, I have been and continue to be incredibly grateful for the Lord’s provision of establishing a ministry to the Georgia Capitol community.
God has provided the opportunity to initiate relationships with many political leaders, in addition to their staff and a few lobbyists. It is humbling to discover a multitude eager to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus, and to build relationships with those who have not experienced the saving grace of our Savior. There is still a great amount of work to be done for the Georgia ministry. Please join me in praying and rejoicing for all provisions to be met by our gracious Lord.
Many of our state’s leaders and their staff have told me how grateful they are for this ministry and how much it encourages them personally. If you are an incumbent or candidate for office (whether House, Senate, Congress, County Commissioner, etc.), or staff member, or lobbyist who is receiving this update, please let me know how I may pray for you specifically and serve you through the study of God’s Word.
PARTNER IN MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY
April 16, 2010
I praise the Lord for the privilege of serving Him in our Capitol, and thank you for your prayers on behalf of our elected officials and for the ministry to the Capitol. I am incredibly excited about the ministry in the Capitol that the Lord has provided, as there are more opportunities for evangelism and discipleship than I could have imagined. Early in March, I was blessed with a time of training and planning at the Shepherd’s Conference in California. I was especially encouraged by the support, love, sacrifice, and godliness of our president, board members, and the other state directors.
In mid-March, I spoke at a “Confronting Culture” Conference in Texas. I was able to share the biblical commands to respect our authorities and rulers (Rom 13:1-7; Tit 3:1). It is always edifying to be continually reminded that God ordains all authorities; therefore, they have a legitimate function in God’s economy. Our mandate is to see the hearts and lives of elected officials transformed with the Word of God. In the Bible, we see God’s great love for the world, especially for those who have been placed in authority. It is God’s salvific love that is the foundation for the ministry of Capitol Commission. For this reason, we serve as a ministry of the church seeking to proclaim the gospel message (cf. Acts 9:15; 1 Tim 2:1-4), and to help believers mature through the verse-by-verse teaching of Scripture.
The weekly Bible study that I am delivering during the General Assembly provides several biblical goals of my ministry service to the Capitol community. For instance, in Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul petitioned God on behalf of the church. He was thankful for their Christian life, fellowship in the gospel, and confidence in the sovereign work of God in their lives. Pray and rejoice for God’s people within the Capitol community! However, just as us, they face ongoing faith and life challenges. Paul then prayed that their love would abound “still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” so that God’s people would approve the best things of life from the many good things in life, for the purpose of being “sincere and blameless until the day of Christ,” and to be fruitful in righteousness “to the glory and praise of God.” Our mandate in the Capitol is both simple and profound, which is to see the hearts and lives of elected officials transformed with the Word of God in obedience to the Great Commission.
Thank you for your prayers and support, which bear an eternal weight of glory.
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Grace and Peace to You from Our Lord Jesus Christ
(2 Cor 3:5),
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission |
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PARTNER IN MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY
March 10, 2010
The month of February has been an extremely full and exciting third month of ministry with Capitol Commission.
I have served in evangelistic/discipleship and pastoral ministry for over a decade, but this ministry is distinctive in providing opportunities to interact with an exceptionally diverse community of people. A current day at the Capitol involves many conversations with unbelievers and believers, whether legislators, lobbyists, or staff. It is always very difficult to leave the Capitol, as there is so much more ministry that could occur. I always leave for home excited about the opportunities that our Lord has provided, and in prayer for God’s sovereign blessing upon each and every conversation. About halfway into my drive home, my body begins to feel the energy expended!
Our Missouri state director, Paul Meinsen, was gracious to invite and provide for expenses to the Pastors’ Commission at the Capitol (and our Illinois state director, Shaun Lewis, was kind to allow me to travel and fellowship with him from St. Louis to Jefferson City). The pastors at the commission were invited to a wonderful time of introduction to and prayer for their elected officials, and to hear blessed testimonies from Senator Luann Ridgeway and Representative Bob Dixon. Our God was glorified in both word and action. Praise God for His sovereign grace!
The new year is progressing well but there are challenges. It is a delicate balance of time, as Kristin continues to work parttime while I grow into the ministry of Capitol Commission—which is necessary until I am able to raise full-support as a missionary to the Capitol community—and, I continue to serve fulltime in the ongoing evangelistic and discipleship ministries of Eternal Ministries (which I will be able to continue in many ways, as Georgia state director, but certainly have more liberty with focus, time, and resources as Kristin is home with our children, and able to devote her energies entirely to their homeschool education, and we will not need to correlate our work schedules). The balance of time and limited resources is the greatest obstacle, as it does prevent complete devotion to those biblical ministries God provides. Those of you who know me well are aware that I am not particularly gifted in fundraising, and would prefer not to ever mention finances in the context of ministry. As every act of giving is not merely transactional but is transformational—as based on our Lord’s abundance and trustworthiness—I covet your prayers to overcome these challenges of limited time and resources.
I am greatly excited with regard to our Lord providing many ministry opportunities to serve by His grace and therefore for His glory. God has enabled me to establish friendships with several elected officials, pastors, and other Christian leaders who value this ministry, and I pray that God will bless these new relationships mightily to mature me into greater Christlikeness and to expand the extent of this ministry to the Capitol community for His glory and honor. As it is not possible for me to serve all the Capitol community on my own, I would love to connect with you for the purpose of enhancing your mutual impact upon this ministry. Kristin and I are immensely grateful for your friendship and prayers. If we can serve you in any manner, or we could be praying more specifically for you and your family, we would love to hear from you.
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Blessings to You from Our Lord Jesus Christ
(2 Cor 3:5),
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission |
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PARTNER IN MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY
February 2, 2010
I hope you and your family is anticipating a blessed 2010.
I have been praying for several years (based upon my study of Scripture and church history) that God would provide an opportunity for me to serve Christ in the capitol community. God answered that prayer with me becoming the Georgia state director for Capitol Commission. As God established specific roles and responsibilities for the church and state, it is a wonderful privilege to engage in the ministry of making disciples in the Capitol community.
Throughout the month of December and into the new year, I have been working to establish relationships with pastors who will partner with and pray for me in reaching the capitol community. God has also blessed me with a few lobbyist contacts and pastor relationships who can help directly with the Georgia ministry. Please pray for these vital relationships. Our Virginia state director, David Anderson, has been instrumental in preparing me for a survey visit to Atlanta, which I am praying to accomplish during the current legislative session. Our Illinois state director, Shaun Lewis, has been assisting me with publication materials. Of course, the national office in North Carolina is always an encouragement and help. It is extremely delightful to be an integral component of a ministry that is already a family to me (and my family) and is entirely inundated with a culture of giving and sacrifice for our Lord and one another.
I have also begun the process of understudy with our South Carolina state director, Jeff Lingerfelt, during the month of January. It has been remarkable to shadow Jeff, and to witness personally the honor of serving our Lord Jesus Christ in ministry to the leadership of the South Carolina legislature. Capitol Commission is the only Bible teaching ministry for legislators in the state Capitol, which makes this ministry so crucial and certainly worth supporting. Those who represent Capitol Commission are committed bondservants striving to systematically teach the Word of God in obedience to the Great Commission. If God will extend His blessing to America (as history demonstrates), it will certainly be the result of her leaders honoring Jesus Christ and His Word.
The transition for Eternal Ministries, and therefore, the nature of growing into the ministry of Capitol Commission has resulted in extremely busy (albeit profitable) months for me as the new Georgia state director. I will be in several states for the next couple of months, as I continue to grow into the ministry. There is much work to be done, and many relationships to be developed and established. All our state directors serve as missionaries, therefore I ask humbly for your prayers and financial support that will enable me to make disciples in the Capitol community in obedience to the biblical commands. “First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made of behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of our God and Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:1-4). What a solemn responsibility to proclaim Christ, and to therefore be a blessing to our leaders through our prayers and the ministry of the Word of God.
It is indeed a privilege to have men and women like you to partner with me in ministry. I also am thankful to God for the honor to be an ambassador of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:20) by serving the state legislature of the beautiful state of Georgia. Please visit www.capitolcom.org regularly to read the latest ministry news. If I can serve you in any manner, please do not hesitate to contact me for it would be my delight.
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Blessings to You from Our Lord Jesus Christ
(2 Cor 3:5),
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
ron.bigalke@capitolcom.org |
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HELP MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY
December 29, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I trust that you had a very Merry Christmas and you are almost ready to begin the New Year.
Please allow me to introduce myself as the newest state director for Capitol Commission. For several years, I have been praying for wisdom and guidance as to making disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena. God has answered that prayer by granting me the opportunity to minister as the Georgia state director for Capitol Commission.
As I consider my many blessings from the Lord—especially in remembering the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—please know that I also regard partners in ministry as among the most precious of blessings. I simply could not be faithful in God’s calling and commission without you.
As I grow into the ministry of Georgia state director, I ask humbly for your patience through this transition, and for your help and prayer as I begin the necessary fundraising aspect of this ministry. It is my intent to create and develop a strong presence in the Georgia Capitol. Please faithfully pray for me, as the opposition may be intense. Moreover, please consider giving financially, which makes the ministry possible and will help greatly as I grow into this work from my current and ongoing discipleship and evangelistic ministry through the local church. A special “thank you” to those who have partnered already through prayers and finances. You can donate online here . Please indicate that your gift is for the “Georgia” ministry (by using the drop-down tab). You may also send a check to Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118 (please write “Georgia” in the memo).
Thank you for the vital role in which you serve through partnership in this ministry, and in helping me create a strong presence in the Georgia Capitol. Please let me hear from you either by email, mail, or phone, if you have any questions or would like to extend encouragement in the ministry of Capitol Commission in the beautiful state of Georgia.
With only two days remaining in the year, may you also prayerfully consider helping by making a tax-deductible year-end gift in support of the God-commissioned discipleship and evangelistic ministry in the Capitol community and beyond before 31 December.
From my family to yours, I wish you a blessed New Year.
Grace and Peace to You from Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ron J. Bigalke, Ph.D.
Georgia State Director, Capitol Commission
P. S. Please continue to remember in your thoughts and prayers my family and all the dedicated people who labor alongside me in this ministry.
HELP MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CAPITOL COMMUNITY
http://www.capitolcom.org/Donate.aspx