November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Devotional
This is our Capitol devotional reading for Thankgiving week
We hand deliver or send these to leaders in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branch of Kansas government: Also to our members of Congress in Washington.
Introduction
How faithful are you in expressing thanks? Being appreciative is how we show that we value someone!
Earning favor
2 Samuel 2:6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.
King David promised to show favor to a group of men for their act of kindness to one of their own, asking the Lord to add blessings. Favor and blessing are what you share with your expression of appreciation to another. While we may not have the impact of a head of state, our “thank you” touches a heart. We can pray for one who serves us and touch the heart of God.
Do you pray for those leaders in your workplace and the elected officials who serve you at every level and those in leadership?
A Prayer
Lord God, help me to be in a spirit of thanksgiving all year long. Give me the words to express genuine appreciation to others. I am reminded that I often fail to thank You, Lord for the countless blessings which have been poured into my life. Thank You for the favor which has brought me to this point in my life. Please add to this favor and bless those who serve me in leadership of the great State of Kansas. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Dave DePue
State Director, Kansas
July 18, 2011
Greetings from your Kansas Capitol.
Your Kansas leaders are pouring much talent and innovation into policies and programs to fix our poor economy. Do you know that State senators and representatives are only paid for the days they are meeting on authorized business? The typical legislator earns an annual salary of little more than $12,000 per year. Your leaders suffer through much the same personal trials as we do. We have joined them at funerals, hospitals, and prayer meetings. Several have lost jobs, seen family businesses fail, or buried a spouse or other family member. One Senator with a construction business shared how his children help pray in groceries and mortgage payments. A Representative thanked God for provision, even though it required him to work three part time jobs. Several new agency heads have served months while their family focused on selling a home and moving to Topeka. We are their supporter and encourager. God is blessing our full time commitment here.
Here is how we are serving in the Capitol:
Each Monday morning I meet with Governor Brownback to pray about the challenges of the week ahead. We also have prayer team volunteers come in each day to pray through the Capitol, praying for our leaders by name and praying over the weekly list of issues.
I have been teaching an interim Bible study for leaders & staff each Wednesday. We are studying leadership using the Apostle Paul as a role model. We hand deliver over 200 copies of our study notes in offices throughout the Capitol and send another 100 out electronically (including our six members of Congress in Washington).
We also lead a 5 PM devotional hour for leadership in the Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday and the leadership team of Social & Rehabilitation Service (SRS) Thursday.
Most weeks there are one or more legislative committee meetings in the Capitol. We greet Senators and Representatives, praying for individual needs. Sometimes we join one or two of them for lunch and host leaders in our home for a meal or cookout.
Feedback on our work:
We recently held a ministry partner dinner in Topeka. We shared of our work and appealed to guests for funding support. A group of legislators made a surprise presentation. They gave me “The Daniel Award” for modeling leadership in the Capitol. We had taught through the Book of Daniel during the past year. I am humbled and blessed by their thoughtfulness.
You may also read the article about the presentation in the Metro Voice News.
We covet your prayers and financial support. Our $3,000 monthly budget is mostly for expenses. Our gifts are only covering a bit over 50%. Any help that you could provide would be a blessing.
In Christ’s service
Dave Depue
State Director, Kansas
PS: Joyce had a clear mammogram and blood test. The cancer appears to be gone! Praise the lord!
It has been a long year! We are praying the chemo side-effects wear off. Thanks for your prayers too.
April 13, 2011
We are wrapping up the 2011 legislative session. God is blessing your ministry to our State leaders - granted us favor in the Capitol. Following is our schedule of activities:
Monday:
9 AM: Prayer with Governor Brownback accompanied by a leading Senator (usually Dick Kelsey) and a member of the House Leadership (usually Majority leader Arlen Siegfreid or Assistant Majority Leader Peggy Mast), praying about the challenges of the week. Later I run 500 copies of our Bible study & start delivering them to Capitol offices.
Tuesday:
7:15 AM: Prayer with the House Leadership. We meet in Speaker Pro Tem Jene Vickrey’s office to review their schedule and pray with those in leadership. The remainder of the day is used to deliver Bible study notes, taking prayer requests, ministering one-on-one.
Wednesday:
7 AM: Teach our leader’s Bible study in the Capitol. We are blessed with 45 participating (20 to 30 any given week). This includes: Senators, Representatives, Cabinet officers, Democrats, Republicans, men & women. Discussions are rich with application.
12 noon: Teach our staff Bible study in the Capitol. We have a dozen participating with half typically there. The fast pace has most staff working at their desks over lunch hour.
5 PM: Hold devotions with Secretary of State Kris Kobach & his leadership team.
8 PM: Lead a Legislature men’s small group at the Topeka home of Senator Dick Kelsey. Our focus is the Book of James and accountability issues related to public service.
Thursday:
7 AM: We hold our weekly prayer breakfast. Legislators are encouraged to schedule their pastor as a guest presenter. We take prayer requests from the 25 to 30 attending. Consider recommending a pastor to serve us in this venue. Join our email prayer list.
Friday:
7 AM: Teach on prayer in a weekly men’s prayer breakfast. The men sign several prayer cards that are sent to State leaders. Please ask for a Capitol Commission Prayer Calendar and let your leaders know that you are praying for them. This has a profound impact on many. I commit the remainder of the day ministering in the Capitol and preparing for next week’s Bible study: Polishing this up over the weekend.
Next Update: We report on the prayer team that we have coordinated with other ministries, bringing volunteers in the Capitol to pray each day. Please consider joining us May 5 for the National Day of Prayer. Join our all day prayer event or the noon ceremony on the Capitol Steps. We anticipate that the Spirit of God will join us!
We do apologize for not bringing you a report last month. We did not share our need, resulting in our not being able to pay ministry expenses. Support gifts will be credited to your heavenly account (Philippians 4:17).
Your minister in the Capitol
Dave Depue
State Director, Kansas
December 8, 2010
A new epoch in the history of Kansas is beginning to unfold!
Voters sent 5 (of 6) new executive branch leaders to the Capitol. There will be at least 6 (of 40) new State Senators and 29 (of 124) new State Representatives taking office in January. Our new Governor will bring in a new Cabinet and transition virtually all of the State agency leadership positions. More senior personnel changes will occur during the first few weeks of the New Year.
Your ministry is involved in this transition:
We are meeting with the newly elected leaders as we travel the State and during events in Topeka. A welcome letter was sent to each new Legislator. We participated in a freshman and a spouses’ orientation day at the Capitol. We are reminding them of your prayer support and our Capitol Bible studies. I will personally deliver weekly Bible study notes to each executive, legislative, and judicial office in the Capitol. Praise God that we have access and favor with leadership!
Our ministry introduction meeting in Wichita was a success:
We held a dinner meeting to share the work of Capitol Commission. Our new State Treasurer (Ron Estes) and all six of the area newly elected State representatives came: One drove 100 miles to join us. 70 Senators, representatives, spouses, and friends of the ministry welcomed these new colleagues, sharing the evening together. Brief ministry presentations were given by Senator Dick Kelsey, Rep. Steve Brunk, Rep. Pete DeGraaf, Rep. Steve Hubert, and Rep. Peggy Mast. Each of these new leaders committed to participating in our weekly Bible studies.
Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry to our leaders in government:
We thank God for your encouragement, prayer support, and financial partnership. This work cannot be done by one man. God has put you on the team to give me accountability in ministry and to give you a share in the heavenly rewards (Philippians 4:17). Can you help us with a year end gift so that we can finish with our expenses paid up? Click here to make a tax deductible gift of support.
Dave DePue
State Director, Kansas
“The word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sward, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
PS: Last week I greeted a State Senator who turned and stated to a colleague “Dave is working to make me a better person.” I reminded him that we cannot be just “better,” we must become a new person through Christ’s gift of grace (Romans 3:10). They both thanked me for being here for them.
July 1, 2010
Praise God that we wrapped up this climatic legislative session at “Sine die” - May 28. Your ministry was active in this drama - in front and behind the scenes.
Visible events –Visible results:
The session focus was on the State budget, taxes, and public debt.
A sales tax increase passed with great tribulation while proposed taxes on churches/non-profits, sugar, energy, and services were stalled.
Quiet events – Profound results:
Impact on our top government leaders:
At least 15 State leaders were struck by a death in their family.
20 requested prayer due to major heath problems themselves or with family members.
Two lost their jobs and two saw their business fail while serving in their part-time elected position.
Another moved his cancer stricken wife into a hospice center.
Prayer ministry – eternal results:
How well would you fare as a State leader during the personal challenges listed above?
The value of having a full-time-pastor in the Capitol is beyond measure. We pray with and for colleagues and their families. We had over 100 prayer requests this year. Several times I have stood in the hallway or in an office praying with a weeping State leader. Some have no pastor! Capitol Commission partners pray for individual legislators and their families. Please click here for our prayer calendar and pray for our leaders, especially those who represent you. Call or drop them a note.
Wise teaching – Godly counsel:
Weekly Bible studies focus on current issues.
We are teaching on wisdom out of the Book of Proverbs.
Each week we distributed nearly 500 copies of study notes to your leaders & their staff in the Capitol.
God’s counsel is available. We respond to questions on legislation, policy and issues with Scripture.
God’s man is available in the Statehouse.
Group prayer – sharing the power:
We facilitated The Capitol site for the National Day of Prayer event. 200 participated. We organized a Pastor’s Commission in the Capitol. 20 pastors were briefed on ministering to our government leaders.
30 legislators joined the group for lunch.
Partner support – Prayer requests:
Teaching/preaching opportunities as we travel the State, ministering to our legislators in their districts.
Faithful donor response to enable us to recover expenses as we focus on ministry.
Personal/family challenges that impact the attention of our leaders as they strive to serve.
Health issues in the lives of our government leaders.
My wife Joyce’s cancer surgery and followup treatments - God’s healing power.
Your partner in Christ’s Commission (1Timothy 2:1-4).
Dave DePue,
Kansas Director
March 1, 2010
Greetings from the Kansas Capitol.
I praise God for the privilege to open His Word and proclaim The Good News in the Capitol of this great state.
We lead two Bible studies in the Capitol during the legislative session. Wednesdays at seven AM a group of Senators and Representatives meet in Committee Room 142 South, just below the Governor’s office. About 30 participate; nine to twenty are present most days. This includes Democrats & Republicans, men & women.
Our Wednesday noon class meets in the Speaker’s Conference Room, 171 west. About ten administrative assistants participate, with five or six present most days. We have visitors join in, including a couple of construction workers when they can take lunch at noon. You would be welcome to visit when in town.
We are studying Proverbs and applying wisdom teaching to current issues facing individual leaders and God’s institution of civil government. I will be posting these on the Kansas Capitol Commission web page for your review. Please give me any feedback that will be useful in my teaching and continuing this series.
God is giving us favor in the Capitol. Each week we print 440 copies of our Bible study notes. I personally deliver these to each office in the Capitol. This includes the Office of the Governor, every Senator, Representative, and Kansas Supreme Court Justice. The Secretary of State and State Treasurer distribute these to their staff for me. I also send digital copies to our members of Congress in Washington DC. Some tell me that they share these notes with family, friends, and their pastor.
We also have a legislative prayer breakfast at seven AM Thursday mornings. Democrat Janice Pauls and Republican Arlen Siegfreid are co-chairs. My role is to coordinate the prayers. Consider joining us when in town.
We are pleased to report that our January 26 Pastor's Commission in the Statehouse was modestly successful. This first Kansas event hosted 20 pastors and guests as well at 30 legislators. Part of our expenses was covered by donations from local businesses. Capitol Commission President Jim Young gave the keynote address at our luncheon, traveling to Kansas at his own expense. We showed visiting pastors how we minister to government leaders. The mission is to share our ministry with pastors and churches across Kansas; serving leaders at the local, state, and national level.
Please pray about partnering with us in calling men and women to this place of faith and service. “Partner” is the name the Apostle Paul used to describe those who helped enable and empower his ministry (Philippines 1:3-5a). Our partners are blessed by investing their prayers, their finances, and/or their time. Join us and experience the joy of bringing light, hope, truth, and life-change to those who make up the Capitol community of Kansas. Please call me on my cell phone at 785 249 7604. We can also send you our Kansas Prayer Calendar so that you can pray systematically for your government leaders. We have an electronic version coming soon.
Financial gifts can be given online at www.capitolcom.org/Donate or sent by check to our headquarters:
Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
Please consider a special gift to enable me to travel and participate in the annual Shepherd's Conference at The Master's Seminary in California. All 19 State Directors plan to attend, and use this as our spring training event. Please pray for travel mercies and inspiration as we participate in the conference sessions and meet with our national board in March.
Your prayers and care for this ministry are not taken for granted. Thank you!
2 Chronicles 6:40 "Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made here!"
Dave DePue
State Director, Kansas
January 13, 2010
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Praise God that He has given you and me another year to serve His purpose on earth!
The 2010 Legislative session started this week. Over the next 90 days there will be an intense time of ministry in the Kansas Capitol. This is a very difficult period of history. Like Esther, we believe that God has strategically placed us in our Capitol community “for such a time as this.” We strive to serve with enthusiasm, excellence, and accountability. We trust God to supply the wisdom needed to teach and minister to your leaders here.
Sunday evening, we hosted a prayer meeting for returning Representatives and Senators. Monday, we edited and ran 400 copies of our Bible study notes. Tuesday, we will deliver the notes to every office in the Capitol while inviting leaders and staff to class. Wednesday we teach our two classes and deliver study notes to the rest of the offices. The leaders/legislator’s class is 7 to 8 AM while the staff/visitor’s class is during the noon hour. Thursday, we help facilitate a legislator’s prayer breakfast. There often is not legislative session on Friday. We can start preparing our lesson for next week (two day process).
January 26 will a big day for us when we will have our first Pastors’ Commission at the Capitol. Nearly 100 pastors are expected to come from across Kansas to learn about ministering to government leaders. We will have activities in the Capitol and a lunch program. Our ministry President, Jim Young, will travel to Kansas to address the group.
Please tell your pastor about this special opportunity. Information and registration is on our website. Call or email me to have a flyer sent to them electronically. I would love to meet as many pastors as possible that day!
God continues to bless us with strategic partners to come along side and make this ministry possible. “Partner” is the name Paul used to describe those who helped enable and empower his ministry of reaching political leaders for Christ. He said, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel….(Philippines 1: 3-5a).
Grace to you and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ.
State Director, Kansas
December 9, 2009
This update marks the second month as our newly re-organized Capitol Commission, ministering in the Kansas Statehouse. Our Kansas leadership saw it necessary to split with ... when ..., ..., lost the endorsement of his home church. He continues to raise funds for a ministry in two other states and Argentina. If you would like more information on our ministry split this link will take you to an article published in the ..., a Sacramento, CA newspaper.
Seventeen state directors pulled together to form the non-profit organization (Capitol Commission) as an umbrella group, covering ministries in the respective statehouses. We recently completed our first annual training and planning session in Raleigh, NC (Nov.16-18). The session consisted of three full days of fellowship, encouragement, instruction, and visioning.
All seventeen state directors were present as well as some assistant directors. NC Director Jim Young is our new President, serving in both CEO positions. We have no national staff, just volunteers and a part time accountant.
Dave leading Prayer for our leaders during the recent training.
State Directors. Bottom row, left to right: Don Garner (Texas), David Reidenouer (Pennsylvania Assistant), Jeff Lingerfelt (South Carolina), David Andersen (Virginia), Paul Meinsen (Missouri), Shaun Lewis (Illinois). Second row, left to right: Ron Bigalke (Georgia), Larry Mason (Virginia Assistant), Jim Young (North Carolina), Aaron Dogotch (Minnesota), Jason Palermo (Arkansas), Dave DePue (Kansas). Third row, left to right: Matthew Barnes (Indiana), Tim Pauley West Virginia), Jonn Paul (North Dakota), Brent Alderman (Maryland), Frank Erb (California). Top row. Bob Lewis (Pennsylvania), David Cleveland (Arkansas Assistant), Dan File (Colorado & Wyoming).
Your Kansas ministry continues our strong presence in the Statehouse. We are in the Capitol most days as we encourage, support, and pray with your leaders. We will resume teaching our weekly Bible studies in the Capitol when the 2010 legislative session begins January 10. Meanwhile, we are traveling to visit lawmakers in their home communities and hosting them, one-on-one, for dinner in our home when they travel for Topeka meetings. We are working to raise operating funds during this less hectic period. Please faithfully pray for us and your government leaders. Please consider giving financially to the Kansas ministry, and a special “thank you” if you are already doing that. You can donate online at our new website at www.capitolcom.org, or you can send a check to our headquarters, Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118.
We pledge to be servants of Christ and trustworthy stewards of the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). It saddens us to watch our nation and its churches progressively abandoning the truths found in Scripture. We are disappointed that our government is making laws contrary to biblical values. The Scriptures mandate that we focus our attention, our energy and our resources on proclaiming Jesus Christ and His gospel to the decision-makers of our nation.
Your servants in Capitol Commission proclaim that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We faithfully teach the Bible, making disciples of those whom God has called to Himself. If God chooses to once again bless this nation, it will be because its leaders are honoring Jesus Christ and His word.
Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Your faithful worker in the Capitol
Dave DePue
State Director Kansas
October 22, 2009
Greetings from the Kansas Capitol.
We continue to receive favor from God and your leaders in the Capitol. I am in the Statehouse most days, catching Legislators who are in town for meetings and picking up prayer requests from them and from staff. We are meeting with some of them one-on-one and visiting them in their homes and churches.
The sad news is that we experienced a split in the ministry at the national level. Our ... President lost the endorsement of his home church due to an authority controversy. Sixteen State Directors separated and started a new umbrella organization for the State Ministries. After much prayer and counsel from my advisory team, we joined the new group. The Capitol Commission has a renewed focus on ministry in each respective State Capitol.
Our new organization President is Jim Young, the State Director of our ministry in North Carolina. The new board is comprised of two men who had resigned from the ... board, John Anderson and George Jackson, along with Jim Harmeling, pastor of Southside Church in Raleigh NC, Dick Harris, an elder at Providence Baptist Church Raleigh NC. The states with State Directors serving are AR, IN, MD, WV, VA, NC, SC, TX, CA, CO/WY, ND, IL, ID, PA, MO, KS and MN.
Our ministries at the state level will continue to be our main focus. We love the folks to whom we have been ministering and desire to continue the ministries to which we have been called without missing a beat.
The new website that is still in process is: www.capitolcom.org. You can donate to the Kansas ministry online, or your gifts can be sent to our national headquarters at:
Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
Please note KS in the memo line of your checks.
Please feel free to call me and/or e-mail me with any questions you may have with regard to these changes. We welcome your prayers, as there are still many details to be finalized.
Isaiah 43:18-19 "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Thank you for your love and support.
Dave DePue 785 249 7604
dave.depue@capitolcom.org