December 16, 2011
Well, Christmas is almost here.
But not quite yet. There’s still so much to do ... and maybe so much to buy. (You might enjoy ThisIsWhyImBroke
if you're looking for a unique and completely frivolous gift for someone.)
In the midst of the holiday hurrying, I want to thank you for your encouragement and prayers and support this year, and for the incredible privilege I have to serve as a missionary to the Capitol. Here’s a brief little video greeting I recorded for you:
If you are praying about a ministry to support with a special year-end gift, I hope you will consider giving to Capitol Commission California. Together, we are bringing the light of God’s word into our State Capitol, where it is so desperately needed. You may click here to contribute online or view our mailing address.
Wishing You a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year,
Frank Erb
California State Director
P.S. Did you know we have a new Capitol Commission California Facebook page? Go to it and click the "Like" button to receive timely news about what the Lord is doing in the Capitol!
November 18, 2011
Our state legislators are currently on their interim recess , gearing up for their return to the Capitol on January 4. I continue to be in contact with some of them, but for now my primary ministry is to Capitol community staff, especially through the Capitol Bible Studies that I teach.
A group from a church in Livermore visited the Bible Study in the Capitol two weeks ago and sent me this note afterwards: “Our group had a great trip to Sacramento some for the first time. We all enjoyed meeting your dedicated group of staffers, with such a wide variety of job backgrounds. I was always under the impression that staff, implied, that they were legislator staff. Your study of our emotions, in bringing God glory or not, was a moving discussion. … Each member of our group mentioned that they felt that God has the right man, in the right spot, in ministering to this people group. They see your love and concern for them, your integrity to the Word, and the importance of confidentiality. They see your desire to be a servant, very approachable, which will draw folks to you. They are really excited about your ministry. … We will be lifting you, your family, and the ministry up in prayer. We pray God's continued blessing on you and our brothers and sisters in your study. Praise to the Lord. - Don” It was great to have Don and the group visit with us, and I appreciate his encouraging words.
Don explained his surprise at the variety of jobs the people who attend the Capitol Bible Study hold. This is very true and often brings joy to my heart. In any one gathering, those in attendance might include legislators, former legislators, chiefs-of-staff, Governor’s staff, department heads, staff members from both Republican and Democratic legislators’ offices, sergeants-at-arms, state workers from various departments and agencies, lobbyists and advocates, party leaders, attorneys, pastors, church members, and others from the Capitol community. They come from all ages, races, denominations, parties, and backgrounds, reminding me of the diversity celebrated in Colossians 3:11 “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” Many have become dear friends to me, and I am so grateful for the privilege of serving all of them.
At the end of his note, Don mentioned praying for these who are “our brothers and sisters in your study.” What a tremendous thing! We know we are to pray for elected officials, but Capitol community staff are also precious in the Lord’s sight. Furthermore, many of them also hold influential leadership positions that are incredible platforms for them to influence our state and nation and to represent Christ to many. Let’s keep encouraging them and praying for them too.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission |
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September 28, 2011
Here is a new 2-minute video slideshow introduction to Capitol Commission California. Please check it out.
Here also is a radio interview I did two weeks ago on a Central Valley program.
Finally, here is audio of a message I taught at a church, explaining the biblical basis for what I do and also what the Bible says about every believer's mission to political leaders. I have given this same sermon many times, and every time a number of people have told me that it revolutionized their thinking. (You can print and use this simple fill-in-the-blank handout as you listen.)
I would love to hear your thoughts about any of these. Also, these might be good links to forward to someone else to let them know that, despite all they hear, there are actually some encouraging things going on in our Capitol!
As we enter the last quarter of the year, we are trusting the Lord for many new monthly supporters. Just click here if you would like to partner with us financially to bring the light of the Gospel to our elected officials.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director |  |
August 23, 2011
People sometimes ask how I spend my time. It's a fair question, because my work as a pastor/missionary to the California State Capitol is certainly unique. Here are some of the things that have kept me busy during this past week.
- Prayer for our State Leaders.
- Studied Matthew Chapters 9-10 in-depth (researching ten commentaries).
- Taught three Bible Studies on Matthew: One inside the Capitol for Legislators, another inside the Capitol for Staff/Lobbyists/State-Leaders, and a third in my home attended by various area leaders.
- Wrote a Bible Study Handout and hand-delivered printed copies to all 120 Legislators offices plus the Governor's and Lt. Governor's offices.
- Provided personal biblical counsel to various Legislators and Staff.
- Attended three evening Capitol events to interact with Legislators, Staff, and Lobbyists.
- Prepared to guest teach at a Sacramento-area church this Sunday.
- Tackled a multitude of administrative tasks.
I am always trying to improve in how I use the precious time the Lord has given me. Ephesians 5:15-16 urges us to "be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time." I admire how Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators, approached this: "Never do anything that someone else can and will do when there is so much of importance to be done which others cannot or will not do." For me, this means that I need to focus my attention on my family (as everyone I know whose kids are fully grown reminds me), and on preaching, teaching, and disciple-making, especially for leaders.
Too often, I find that government officials and other leaders who profess to be Christians find little time to learn from the Lord, fellowship with other believers, or bond with their spouse or children. Their busy work schedules crowd out that which is most important. It's a dangerous trap that we must all watch out for.
How about you? How is God directing you in maximizing the time He has given you? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director | |
P.S. A special thanks to those of you who have been partnering with us financially in reaching out to California's political leaders. We are now at about 60% of our monthly goal, and growing!
June 28, 2011
As you continue to pray for your California State legislators, it may be helpful to know something about how they are doing in their personal lives. Here are some general observations:
- Most of them are experiencing Fatigue.
Many people would be surprised to find out how hard their legislators work – often starting early in the morning and continuing late into the evening, while only seeing their family members on weekends. By mid-year, many of them are physically and emotionally dragging.
- Many of them are feeling Frustration.
This is especially true for Republicans, who, as the minority party, are greatly outnumbered and continually outvoted.
- Some of them struggle with Moral Failure.
During our Legislators’ Bible Study, one Senator explained that whatever tempts each legislator the most is offered to him or her in abundance. The others all agreed. Couple this with the fatigue many feel, and it is no surprise that some are morally imploding.
- A number of them are growing in Faith in Christ.
Twenty-three people have participated in the Legislators’ Bible Study so far this year, with about half of them attending regularly - and we still have months to go in this year’s session. This may not seem like a huge number (and it's certainly not when compared with more religiously conservative states), but it is significant here in the Wild West. I am continuing to teach carefully through the Gospel of Matthew, verse-by-verse and section-by-section, currently finishing Chapter 8. My aim is to carefully exegete the Word - helping them to understand first what it says, then what it means, and finally how it relates to their lives and their work as government leaders. Amazingly, it always does relate. Rich dialogue and heartfelt sharing bounces around the large conference table as Republican and Democrats process Divine truth together. Some leave with tears welling in their eyes as they realize God’s greatness and grace. The same can be said also of our Staff & Lobbyists study, which draws leaders from all over the Capitol community. Later, others who do not attend a Bible study meet with me or call or text for personal prayer or counsel. Each person is at a different stage of spiritual maturity, but God is obviously at work in some powerful ways.
Please keep interceding for your government leaders, and thank you for remembering me as I continue to endeavor to reach out to each of them in His name.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director | |
May 27, 2011
I was privileged to appear as a guest on the Pastor-to-Pastor radio program earlier this month. If you missed the broadcast, you can now click here to listen to it on our website. Many thanks to the program's esteemed host, Dr. Henry Wells, for his gracious endorsement.
Last week, I attended the 50th Annual California Prayer Breakfast. This was a legislator-led event, but I was so encouraged to see approximately twenty legislators there who also participate in the weekly Capitol Bible Study or are otherwise touched by this ministry. One Senator spoke at length about how grateful he and the others are for the work of Capitol Commission. (Of course, he also joked that I and balding Governor Jerry Brown, who was also in attendance, appear to share the same barber.)
Later, a Republican and a Democratic Assemblymember each spoke during the Assembly floor session to commemorate the Prayer Breakfast and to invite fellow lawmakers to attend our weekly Bible Study. You can click here to see a 2-minute video of their comments. (Jump ahead to 9:35.)
Please keep praying earnestly for the 120 State Legislators and their staff. It is more apparent to me than ever that most of them mean well but most also lack the spiritual foundation that would provide them with a basis for making wise and moral decisions.
Pray that God gives each of them a desire to know and follow Him. Pray that those who profess faith in Christ will desire to grow in their knowledge of His word and seek His wisdom for the enormously influential choices they make. And please pray for me, especially on Wednesdays as I lead in-depth Bible Studies, visit offices, and attend evening legislator events.
I assure you, your prayers are felt and make a difference.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director | |
May 10, 2011
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed on a local talk radio program called Pastor-to-Pastor. This 30-minute broadcast will air throughout the greater Sacramento area this coming Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Click here for broadcast times or to listen live online.
Two other Capitol Commission State Director friends of mine, one in Indiana and one in Arkansas, were also recently interviewed by print publications. Click the links below to read these encouraging articles. I think they may give you a better idea of the significant ways the Lord is using this ministry throughout our nation. Glory to Him!
http://online.worldmag.com/2011/03/25/i-love-politicians/
http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/the-word-at-the-capitol/Content?oid=1657477
Please keep praying for your State Legislators! In the past month, three Senate or Assembly members have attended the Legislators' Bible Study for the first time, and a few others came back for a second or third visit. I see no reason for this change, especially at this extremely busy time in the Capitol, except for your diligent prayers for each of them.
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director | |
May 2, 2011
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.
Here are two events I am participating in this month that you are also welcome to attend:
National Day of Prayer at the Capitol
Thursday, May 5th, 5:30 pm
State Capitol South Steps
I will be leading a prayer for state leaders.
50th Annual California Prayer Breakfast
Thursday, May 19th, 7:00-8:45 am
Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento
A legislator-led event that includes many who are touched by this ministry.
RSVP by this Friday. Click here for info.
Here are some resources you might find helpful as you pray:
California Prayer Calendar
How to Pray for Political Leaders
Who Are Your Legislators?
Watch your Legislators
May the Lord bless you as you call upon Him in faith!
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
March 17, 2011
Your state leaders need your prayers.
Each state Senator makes decisions for nearly a million people, and each Assembly Member for almost half a million. Frustration and discouragement are obviously increasing as they struggle to come to agreement on how to solve California’s many problems, not the least of which is our $27 billion budget deficit. You can watch their floor sessions online here.
Many of them are struggling personally as well. Every week, another legislator opens up to me confidentially about the moral, emotional, or family challenges that they or their colleagues face. Many struggle with temptation. A Senator recently explained during our Legislators' Bible Study that, "whatever it is that tempts you will be offered to you in abundance when you are in this job." Other legislators agreed. Again, they need your prayers.
Click here for an updated State Prayer Calendar. You might want to print it and place it somewhere where you will see it daily (your refrigerator door maybe?) as a reminder to pray for all our government leaders. One helpful technique is to stop and briefly pray whenever you see or hear a government leader in the news.
As for what to pray, here is an article I wrote called How to Pray for Political Leaders that has five suggestions.
I always appreciate your prayers for me as well. As I was driving to the Capitol early one morning recently, God’s joy and peace were flooding over me and my heart was lifted up in praise to Him. It caught me off guard since I had been feeling anxious about a recent computer crash and other ministry challenges. I knew that someone was praying, and as a result I was given the strength I needed to reach out to the Capitol that day and lead expository Bible studies inside for Legislators, Legislative Staff Members, and Lobbyists.
All of us who serve with Capitol Commission from throughout the United States met last week at a pastors’ conference in Sun Valley. It was a rich time of fellowship and an encouragement to hear how the Lord is at work in 18 state capitols! These are amazing men with whom I am proud to associate. Here's a photo of our group, including State Directors, Board Members, and others. (I am in the back row, third from the left.) Your partnership is enabling this powerful and strategic work to continue and expand.
Please contact me anytime for a personal update.
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Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
frank.erb@capitolcom.org
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February 4, 2011
Ministry at the California State Capitol is off to a good start this year!
VISITS: I continue to make appointments with new and long-time legislators every week, meeting with them in their offices to get to know them and I trust to be of some help. Already this year, a number of them have opened up about intensely personal struggles, and I have prayed with them and provided guidance from God's word. Please be praying for your state leaders ... and for me as I go to them.
BIBLE STUDIES: Our weekly Legislators' Bible Study and Staff & Lobbyists Bible Study are each well under way. I am teaching chapter-by-chapter through the Gospel of Matthew. We have enjoyed a good turnout, especially at the Legislators' Study where we're seeing a mix of Senators and Assembly Members, Democrats and Republicans, men and women, long-term and new, and even some spouses, in attendance each week. I spoke briefly with Governor Jerry Brown again the other night and invited him to visit, as I know some legislators have done, and hope you will join me in praying that he will find the time to do so. Click here to view Bible Study handouts.
SENATE INVITATION: Two Senators - one a Republican and one a Democrat - made a one-minute announcement on the Senate floor last week to invite their fellow-members to the Bible Study. One of them offered a practical reason to attend that I think you might appreciate. Click here to view the video online.The part mentioned begins at 13:00, and you can click to jump ahead to it.)
GUEST SPEAKING: I am looking forward to guest-speaking in at least two or three churches this month, sharing about what the Lord is doing in the Capitol and instructing congregations in how to pray for and minister to their political leaders. Just let me know if your church would like to schedule something for this year.
REQUESTS: Please continue to pray. Really. I am continually mindful that I need wisdom, energy, strength, passion, boldness, and courage to do this work. Please pray especially that legislators will want to meet with me and to attend the Bible Studies.
Many thanks to those of you who gave a special gift in December. We were only about $3,000 short of our year-end request. As this ministry grows, expenses are increasing also, so we continue to walk by faith each month and pray for more partners. We are trusting the Lord to meet every need for the work He wants done (Philippians 4:19).
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Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
frank.erb@capitolcom.org
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P.S. I had the privilege of attending Governor Brown's Inauguration events and snapped the photos below. Please be praying for him - it's can't always be easy to make decisions that affect over 38 million people! Click here to see a YouTube video of the Swearing-in. (Watch for a lighthearted moment at about 1:56!)
Governor Jerry Brown Inauguration, January 2011
Inauguration After-Party - The Governor is in there somewhere!
December 16, 2010
I feel honored to be able to help those in our State Capitol community to know and follow God’s will for their lives and their work. What impact does this have? Here are some examples from this year:
- Nineteen State Senate and Assembly members from both parties attended the Legislators’ Bible Study in 2010, studying verse by verse through the NT book of Colossians.
- Many legislators, including a number who never attended the Bible Study, met with me privately for biblical counsel and prayer for various personal challenges, including faith, family issues, alcoholism, temptation, marriage difficulties, career direction, and discouragement.
- A legislator came to the new realization that the main reason for being in office is to serve God.
- A Senator lamented that he does not know how he can follow what he has learned at our Bible Study and also please his district. Others joined in an emotional discussion on this topic.
- One believing Assembly member asked another for forgiveness for breaking his promise to him in order to gain a political advantage. (This is a first in my two years at the Capitol.)
- A staff member for a Democratic Assembly member trusted in Christ at our Staff and Lobbyists Bible Study. She then encouraged her boss to attend the Legislators’ Study, which he soon did.
- A senior-level lobbyist who came to faith in Christ at the Bible Study refused to advocate for immoral causes, a decision that required her to switch lobbying firms.
- A Sergeant-at-Arms (similar to Secret Service agents for the legislature) who has never read the Bible met with me for over an hour to ask questions about God. Over the next few months, a number of other Sergeants who heard about this asked to also meet for similar discussions.
Thank you for your prayers and generous partnership that are enabling stories like this to continue. I anticipate even greater things next year, as my relationships in the Capitol grow.
As this year comes to a close, I am trusting God for $25,000 more in funding to cover all expenses and enable us to hit the ground running in the new year. Thank you in advance if you are able to send in a special year-end gift of any size to help in this way. Contributions may be made securely by credit card on our newly designed website www.capitolcom.org, or by mailing them to Capitol Commission, PO Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118 (please indicate if your gift is for ministry in California).
Wishing You a Merry Christmas and an Inspiring New Year,
P.S. Here are a few recent photos. There first is one I took at last week's Senate Swear-in Day. I was honored to be invited onto the Senate floor for the ceremony where I could congratulate the new senators and their families. The second is a photo of me speaking recently to a group at a church in Stockton. The last photo is one I snapped at dusk as I was getting into my car on the top level of the parking garage across the street from the Capitol.
November 24, 2010
It’s Thanksgiving, so I’d like to say a big THANK YOU for your involvement in this ministry, whether through your giving or your prayers or your encouragement. I believe that together we are helping our state and nation in one of the greatest ways possible - by taking the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Word of God to our leaders who desperately need it themselves and who affect the lives of so many others. I couldn't do it without you, so thank you!
May we take to heart President Abraham Lincoln’s words in his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation: “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things [that God has done for our nation]. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States … to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, … fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”
November 10, 2010
I am happy to report that last week's Election-Eve Prayer Walk at the State Capitol was a tremendous success. We had a good turnout, especially considering that this was our first big Capitol Commission California event. Those attending included a number of pastors and groups from many churches throughout California and even some state legislators. Over twenty friends served as helpers, most of whom work in the Capitol community as Legislative Staff Members, Lobbyists, or State Workers. One is even a Senator's wife. It was an encouraging time of fellowship and meaningful prayer for our State and Nation. Many in attendance told me afterwards how much they appreciated it and look forward to participating again next time. Some photos from the Prayer Walk are below, and many more pictures can be viewed online here.
Now that we know the names of those whom God is sovereignly allowing to serve in office for this next term (Romans 13:1 "…For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.") let's continue to pray for each of them, especially asking God to send people to them to tell them about Christ and His will for their lives and their work, and to open their hearts to receive His word.
I look forward to meeting each of the incoming state legislators at the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol on December 6th.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and generous support for this ministry! This is a team effort, and we cannot do it without you.
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October 22, 2010
If you do not have time to read this long update right now (or if you already receieved it via US-Mail), please just click here or see the attached printable flyer for information about our upcoming Election-Eve Prayer Walk on November 1!
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I asked God to forgive my sins through Jesus Christ when I was just fifteen years old. I knew very little about the Bible back then, but I began listening regularly to a radio broadcast called Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee. Though Dr. McGee went to be with the Lord back in 1988, his teaching still continues to air on radio stations worldwide. While driving in my car the other day, I happened upon his broadcast once more, just in time to hear him share the following insights at least twenty-two years ago which I believe so vividly illustrate the importance of ministry to political leaders today:
“In the Book of Judges a great principle of government is presented, a principle which is also stated very clearly in the prophecy of Isaiah. All of the subsequent prophets simply bear out and apply this principle which has already been stated. The principle is this: There are three steps in the downfall of a nation. First of all, there is religious apostasy. The second step is moral awfulness. And the third step is political anarchy. These are the three steps by which nations pass off the stage of human history. That has always been the way it has moved. You see, the primary problem never was political anarchy. The primary problem never was moral awfulness. As bad as these are, the root problem goes back to religious or spiritual apostasy, a turning away from the living and true God.”
I agree with this quote. Our nation is currently experiencing increasing political unrest (heading towards eventual political anarchy perhaps?), and we have for many years witnessed an alarming moral slide in our country. However, the root problem is not political or moral– it is spiritual. Our state and national political dysfunction is merely an outgrowth of the spiritual immaturity and the resulting moral decay in the lives of our citizenry and the leaders we appoint.
As such, I am convinced that our first response to our national condition should be spiritual as well. May we who are believers stand fast in the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than ever (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). May we aim to know and live by the Word of God daily while we declare it graciously, boldly, and clearly to all, including to those in leadership positions (Colossians 3:16-17, 4:3-6). May we also pray for our government leaders, especially for their salvation and maturity in Him (1 Timothy 2:1-6). We can then rest in knowing that we are doing as God commands us to do as He fulfills His sovereign purposes for our land.
With this in mind, I invite you to join my family and me on Monday, November 1st for our first ever Election-Eve Prayer Walk at the California State Capitol. This is a wonderful opportunity to come to the Capitol to pray for all of our current and soon-to-be-elected government leaders. This is not a rally or a march or a protest. (In fact, we will meet in the evening when the Capitol building is closed.) Instead, this is a chance to join with others from throughout our troubled state to intercede for our elected officials and to encourage one another to keep on doing so. I expect it to be an uplifting, inspiring, time. You might even want to invite your entire church to participate. I look forward to seeing you there if you can make it.
Whether you can join us on November 1 or not, I hope you will keep praying for your government leaders even as you cast your votes on or before November 2. Remember that they are merely human, and they desperately need God’s wisdom in order to do their job well.
Please also continue to pray for me too, that God will open even more doors for effective service to our government leaders (Colossians 4:3). Each week, I am in the Capitol leading Bible studies for and meeting with our state leaders, their staff, lobbyists, and others, and I depend on your prayer support. Also, as a faith-based ministry, I continue to be very thankful for those of you who are able to partner with us financially to enable us to walk through those doors that open.
P.S. Did you know that, in addition to these regular emails, I also mail out quarterly printed letters, sometimes accompanied by brochures or other printed material? If you like to receive mail you can actually touch, just let me know your US-Mail address.
October 1, 2010
Our government leaders desperately need our prayers and God’s help! For this reason, I invite you to join me at the State Capitol on Monday, November 1, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (arrive anytime) for our first Election-Eve Prayer Walk!
This promises to be an inspiring and meaningful evening and an excellent reason to make the trip to Sacramento. We’ll be breaking into small groups to walk around the State Capitol building and pray for our elected officials, which is timely since our state and national elections occur the next day. The Capitol is beautiful and well-lit at night, and we’ll have warm coco and coffee for all and a free casual dinner for the first 100 participants.
Please see the attached invitation, or click here to view it online and to rsvp.
I urge you to share this invitation with your family, your friends, and your entire church. Feel free to use it as a church bulletin insert also since this is a non-political prayer event. (Just let me know if you would like me to email you a higher resolution version for printing.) I hope to see you there! Again, please click here for more info.
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Your Missionary to the California Capitol,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
frank.erb@CapitolCom.org
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September 14, 2010
I received many encouraging responses to the new video I sent out last week. However, some people informed me that it did not play correctly on their computer. I have now moved all my videos to YouTube, which I hope will work more smoothly. If you were not able to view the video before, please click here or below to try again. It only lasts three minutes, and I think that after watching it you might be inspired to pray more for your Legislators.
Please do pray for the first legislator featured in the video, Senator Sam Aanestad, and his staff. His Office Manager for the past seven years, Kathy Hilke, recently went to be with the Lord after a three-month illness. Senator Aanestad and everyone in their office will miss her greatly, as will I (she was a friend of this ministry too). Thankfully, she was a strong believer and follower of Christ and was well-prepared to see her Lord face to face.
I certainly do appreciate your prayers and support for this ministry also.
P.S. You can also find us on Facebook
September 3, 2010
Click below to see a new video from a few of the many California State leaders who have been touched by this ministry. It is less than 3-minutes long and I think it might be meaningful and helpful to you as you pray for our State.
Thank you also for your prayers for and financial partnership with us. Together, we are making a real difference in our State and Nation, by God’s grace and for His glory.
P.S. You can also find us on Facebook
August 24, 2010
This is a frenetic time in the California State Capitol. August 31st marks the end of the regular session, which means that all proposed new laws for the year must be voted on within the next seven days. Many hundreds of these bills are still pending, and legislators are in a rush to get through all of them, hopefully by this Friday evening. They then need to come to agreement on a budget and deal with a $19 billion deficit, which is already far behind schedule.
If you want to see what your legislators are up to, you can watch them via live webcast whenever they are on the Floor. Just click on www.calchannel.com and select the Assembly or Senate session link on the top right. I urge you to PRAY for those you see there. I can confirm that God is at work in many of their lives, calling them to yield to Him or to walk closer with Him. Please pray for me also that our Lord continues to open up many doors of ministry to them and their staff.
I am so grateful for your partnership in presenting the Good News to our elected officials!
P.S. If you are on Facebook you can stay even more up to date with what’s going on or share your personal comments about it by joining the Capitol Commission California Group here
July 26, 2010
NEWS: Most of our State Legislators have been in their home districts this month, catching up or resting up before they return to Sacramento on August 2nd to deal with our state’s approximately $20 billion budget deficit. It is a difficult challenge since the two parties have such radically different approaches but must come to agreement.
MEMORIAL: Senator Dave Cox passed away this month after a long illness. I am grateful for the few occasions I had to spend time with him this year, including discussing his faith.
PRAYER: Pray for our Legislators, especially those working primarily on the budget, to have wisdom (to know what to do), humility (to be teachable) and courage (to do what is right). Pray that Senator Cox’s departure leads many to think about things that are eternal and to look up for salvation and strength.
PERSONAL: My family and I are doing well. Valerie is a high school teacher with summers mostly off, so she is enjoying lots of time with our two children. I am speaking and teaching often at various churches throughout California, grateful for the opportunity to expose more people to this important ministry.
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VIDEOS: I recorded two brief videos recently – one that highlights my approach to the Capitol and another that is a casual interview with a Sacramento lobbyist. Click here to watch them. I would love to hear your thoughts in response.
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PS. Click here if you would like to partner with us financially. Together we are taking the Good News of Jesus to our State leaders, who need it so very much!
June 25, 2010
June has been an encouraging month for many reasons:
- The Primary election suggests that some new state Legislators who are strong believers are likely to be elected to office this November.
- A few Legislators have recently expressed a new desire to be more open about their faith and unite with others for fellowship. In a recent meeting, one legislator actually apologized to another for behaving towards him in a way that was politically expedient but not necessarily godly. Another prayed that a spiritual revival would start in the Legislature and spread throughout our state. Imagine that!
- Thursday was the 49th Annual State Prayer Breakfast, with approximately 300 people in attendance. This is a legislator-led event, and a number of those who spoke mentioned how thankful they are for this ministry. They also included a Capitol Commission brochure in the event program and invited all in attendance to meet with Valerie and me afterwards to hear more about this ministry, which many did.
- Funding this month has increased somewhat. I am very grateful for the partnership of so many of you.
- Valerie and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary on June 18th and both our children received generous gifts enabling them to attend a weeklong camp at Hume Lake this summer.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that more legislators are moved by God to seek Him wholeheartedly, gather often with one-another for Christ-centered fellowship, and express their personal faith more publically.
- Pray for Kathy Hilke, a staff member for Senator Sam Aanestad who just found out that she has a serious cancer. Thankfully, she is a strong believer in the Lord.
- Pray for a lobbyist (to remain confidential for now) whose job future is uncertain due to growth in Christ.
- Please pray for me to have faith, strength, and great favor in the Capitol Community so that many will want to listen to His Word and come to know Him better.