July 7, 2011
By only three votes, the Republican-led New York Senate just redefined marriage to allow same sex unions. The vote was 33-29... that narrow margin allowed this ongoing challenge to marriage as we know it in our nation and as defined in the Bible as between one man and one woman. I have to wonder what might have happened in New York had a ministry like Capitol Commission been active and supportive of legislators increasingly pressured to vote against their consciences.
Thank you for your continued support for our work here in the Capital of North Carolina.
An Amazing North Carolina Legislative Session
Exciting news! God prospered our ministry at the North Carolina State Capitol. This year we had more than forty Senators and Representatives active in our Bible Study.
Attendance at our monthly prayer breakfasts exceeded fifty. According to the food services folks, this represents a new record for the prayer breakfasts! It’s only my first year here, so I was not even aware we were setting a record high.
Democrats, Republicans, and an Independent attend our events. This session the Republicans gained control of both the Senate and House. This is a first since the nineteenth century. Politics is not our mission, but the change of the majority party means that much of the General Assembly leadership regularly attends our weekly Bible Studies and monthly Prayer Breakfasts. Attendees include the House Majority Leader, the House Majority Whip, Senate Majority Whip, the Chair of the Senate-House Caucus Committee, and an Appropriations Committee head.
The ministry year got off to a wonderful start with a welcome back dinner that just about filled the Members’ Dining Room. It was a special opportunity to introduce Capitol Commission to the freshmen class of new legislators. Here's a sample of a recent study.
What a privilege to bring the light of God’s Word to bear upon the lives of Members of the General Assembly. This session we began a new study in the Book of James. This epistle is full of challenges and godly, practical wisdom. It both provoked and resonated with the Members as they served you during the legislative term.
Prayer Needs
We ask the Lord to help us promote our prayer ministry, NCPRAYS.com, to churches, Christian groups, and individuals around the State of North Carolina. Please consider passing along the web site address to your friends and families and sign up for our daily prayer message. God commands us to pray for those in governmental authority over us…
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Support Needs
Greater numbers mean much greater expenses. We feed the Members a light meal to give them time to attend our study. Success has also led to doubled printing costs from last year. We have a definite financial need. If you feel led by God to help out, we will be so thankful. We cannot continue without raising additional support.
Please remember how the New York Senate redefined marriage to allow same sex unions by only three votes. Think and pray about the active influence you can have on our representatives through Capitol Commission to enable Christ-inspired legislative action in our state.
Thanks for your continued support!
God’s Blessings,
Greg Beaupied
State Director, North Carolina
206 New Bern Place
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
cell: 919.710.9147
email: greg.beaupied@capitolcom.org
March 31, 2010
Capitol Commission is now a little more than five months old. In the formation of this ministry God has given me the opportunity to serve and lead some of the best men I have ever known. During the past five months I have watched these men, along with their families, walk by faith and not by sight. In staying true to their Biblical convictions they have sacrificed much but continue to remain steadfast.
However, as my role in leading these men is developing, it has become clear that it will take all of my time. And God was not surprised. According to His perfect timing and will, He has provided a man of God perfectly qualified to replace me in the role of State Director for North Carolina. We met Greg Beaupied through his wife Susan. Susan is a new legislative assistant to one of our state representatives. Greg has extensive ministry training and experience as a pastor, teacher and counselor. For the past thirteen years he has labored at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he served as the minister of missions and taught in the Bible department of the church’s school, Westminster Academy. He eventually became the headmaster of the school. To be nearer their grandchildren and other family members, Greg and his wife Susan moved to North Carolina in 2009.
Greg will officially assume the State Director's job April 1, 2010. He is already involved in much of what we have been doing, including fundraising training and ministry planning for this upcoming session. Please be praying for a smooth transition and for the needed funding to support us during this time of change. For the time being I will continue to be funded through North Carolina, but will eventually get my funding from our national account. If you are a present donor, please continue to give as you have been doing. I will keep you posted if and when there are any changes.
If you are just being introduced to Capitol Commission; I welcome you as a future partner and champion of this ministry. There are many significant ministries that honor God and are worthy of our support, however, I am convinced that if God would choose to again bless America, He will do so because its leaders have once again chosen to honor Him. Capitol Commission is committed to proclaiming the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), and believing that through the prayers of His people, many men and women that He has placed as His ministers to govern our nation, will come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please join us in prayer to this end (1Timothy 2:1-4). This kind of praying is good and pleasing to God, who desires all people to be saved.
With zeal for the glory of God,
Jim Young
President
p.s. The linked Bible Study may be good to share with some of your friends who aren’t quite sure why we as believers call Good Friday good.
March 26, 2010
Please scroll down to below the invitation for additional information.
|
Holiday Inn Brownstone
1707 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh—next to YMCA
Our Featured Speaker
Justice Paul M. Newby
Justice of North Carolina Supreme Court
Special Video Message
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
President SEBTS Danny Akin
Greetings from a number of
North Carolina State Legislators
The dinner is complimentary, those attending will be
provided an opportunity to financially support the ministry.
Adults only — business attire (i.e. coat and tie).
Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Program 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
RSVP by Friday May 6, 2011
Please consider being a table captain
and filling it with eight people.
|
| Would you consider being a Table Captain for our 2011 fundraising banquet? We are asking God to provide at least 40 tables of eight.
There is no financial commitment associated with being a Table Captain. However, we would like you invite as many folks as possible who you think may be interested in this ministry. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000 - $25,000 for NC & $25,000 for the national ministry.
Perhaps you know others who may want to be Table Captains. If so, please forward this invitation to them.
Please call our office to confirm your willingness to be a Table Captain: 919 838-1200 (Leave a message) or call Bob Barnes at 919-215-6652.
A section from a recent e-mail update gives plenty of motivation to participate with us in this ministry:
Of one particular governmental leader, William Wilberforce, Pastor John Piper notes that what made him tick was a profound Biblical allegiance to what he called the "peculiar doctrines" of Christianity. By that term he simply meant the central distinguishing doctrines of human depravity, divine judgment, the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross, justification by faith alone, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and the practical necessity of fruit in a life devoted to good deeds. These, he said, give rise, in turn, to true affections - what we might call "passion" or "emotions" - for spiritual things, which, in turn, break the power of pride and greed and fear, and then lead to transformed morals which, in turn, lead to the political welfare of the nation. He said, "If . . . a principle of true Religion [i.e., true Christianity] should . . . gain ground, there is no estimating the effects on public morals, and the consequent influence on our political welfare."
Why are we so thankful to be serving the great leaders of our nation? Because it is our privilege to open God's Word and proclaim what Wilberforce called the "peculiar doctrines" of Christianity, knowing that submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His Word, will, as Wilberforce noted, lead to the political welfare of our nation. I am convinced that even as bad as we may think things are in our government and how discouraging the behavior of many of our leaders, there is power in the received gospel that will change even the most vile of men or women. Consider you or me.
Pastor John Piper also said of Wilberforce: "He was not a political pragmatist; instead, he was a radically God-centered Christian who was a politician." Oh that we who name the name of Christ would be characterized as radically God-centered Christians, doing whatever it is that God has called us to do.
Please click here to download and print invitations you may want to pass on to others. |
Jim Young
President, Capitol Commission |
February 15, 2010
As the Super Bowl festivities began and Carrie Underwood beautifully sang the Star-Spangled Banner, the camera scanned a number of players with tears. Suddenly, and very out of character, I experienced goosebumps and to my surprise, tears. As I reflected on what was happening, I realized it was the result of my love for our country. I was feeling a great sense of thanksgiving and honor to be a part of this blessed and wonderful nation. It also gave me pause as I reflected on how thankful I am that God has allowed me the opportunity to serve in the arena of our nation's leaders. What could be better than to spend one's time proclaiming the goodness and love of God to those He has placed in positions of governmental leadership.
As I've reflected on this opportunity I thought of some things that have been written about one particular governmental leader, William Wilberforce. Pastor John Piper notes that what made Wilberforce tick was a profound Biblical allegiance to what he called the "peculiar doctrines" of Christianity. By that term he simply meant the central distinguishing doctrines of human depravity, divine judgment, the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross, justification by faith alone, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and the practical necessity of fruit in a life devoted to good deeds. These, he said, give rise, in turn, to true affections - what we might call "passion" or "emotions" - for spiritual things, which, in turn, break the power of pride and greed and fear, and then lead to transformed morals which, in turn, lead to the political welfare of the nation. He said, "If . . . a principle of true Religion [i.e., true Christianity] should . . . gain ground, there is no estimating the effects on public morals, and the consequent influence on our political welfare."
Why am I so thankful to be serving the great leaders of our nation? Because it is my privilege to open God's Word and proclaim what Wilberforce called the "peculiar doctrines" of Christianity, knowing that submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His Word, will, as Wilberforce noted, lead to the political welfare of our nation. I am convinced that even as bad as we may think things are in our government and how discouraging the behavior of many of our leaders, there is power in the received gospel that will change even the most vile of men or women. Consider you or me.
May I challenge the legislators reading this with Pastor John Piper's quote of Wilborforce: "He was not a political pragmatist; instead, he was a radically God-centered Christian who was a politician." Oh that we who name the name of Christ would be characterized as radically God-centered Christians, doing whatever it is that God has called us to do.
If you believe that radically God-centered Christians serving as leaders in government will profoundly impact our nation, please pray in accordance with that belief and partner with us in calling men and women to this place of faith and service. If you're not yet a partner, (“Partner” is the name the Apostle Paul used to describe those who helped enable and empower his ministry (Philippines 1:3-5a), please consider submitting to be one today. 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 North Carolina, and eighteen other states. You can contact me or my associate, Dave Dagwell, at 919-838-1200. This link will take you to an excellent Bible Study recently written by our North Dakota state director, entitled “God’s Heart For Political Leaders”. You can also sign up for daily e-mail prayer reminders at www.ncprays.com.
Financial gifts can be given online at www.capitolcom.org or checks can be sent to:
Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
Please pray for my upcoming trips visiting our staff and sharing with pastors in Missouri and Indiana. Recent trips to Kansas and Maryland were both encouraging and fruitful. Please also pray for all of our staff and national board, as we meet together in California March 2-7.
Your prayers and care for this ministry are not taken for granted. Thank you!
"And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 3:5
State Director, North Carolina and President
December 28, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We begin this new year reflecting back on the exciting and hectic past few months. In just 12 weeks we have seen God move in amazing ways….ways we would not have imagined possible. In some cases He worked in ways we wouldn’t have chosen, but trusting in His providence, we humbly submit and follow His leading. He has birthed a new national ministry, Capitol Commission, which now includes eighteen State Directors ministering in nineteen states. I am thankful and humbled to have been asked to serve as the president of this new ministry. Serving with me is a new board of directors made up of five men, including myself. Two of these men served on the past ministry board and two of these men served on the North Carolina advisory board. These men have been God’s gracious gift to me and to this new ministry.
With regard to the North Carolina ministry, I will remain the State Director, but will be leaning more and more on my faithful assistant, Dave Dagwell. God has touched lives in so many ways this past year. We have seen Him develop a spiritual hunger and thirst in the hearts of our state legislators, their staff, lobbyists, and many others who have support roles in our state government.
Because of our state’s unstable economic times, many people are searching for answers…..for meaning, stability, and some semblance of tranquility in their lives. It’s in this environment that our ministry has evidenced increasing numbers of those coming to our weekly Bible studies and attending weekly chapel services. We continue to believe as Esther did that God has strategically placed us in our Capitol community “for such as time as this.” We strive to lead this ministry with enthusiasm, excellence, and accountability, seizing every opportunity to draw those God has called us to serve, one step closer to Jesus.
God continues to bless us with strategic partners to come along side and make this 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).
For those who have partnered with us through prayers and finances, THANK YOU! Thank you for the vital role you play in God’s desire to reach our Capitol community and initiate heart change, one life at a time, into the likeness of His Son. If you would like to be more than a financial partner, and become a participant in this ministry]with us, please ask us how we can help you do that.
For this New Year, please pray for us, that God will continue to open doors for our message (Colossians 4:3) and for much needed finances as we seek to be a source of light, hope, truth and encouragement as we serve the Church and the kingdom, by touching lives in every district of North Carolina.
As Raleigh is the new national headquarters for Capitol Commission, we are faced with a need for financial support as never before. Please consider a significant year-end gift to help us through this transition. Checks can be sent to: Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118. If postmarked via December 31, 2009, your gift will be tax deductible for this year. You may also consider giving online at www.capitolcom.org. With focused attention to evangelize and equip the leaders in our city, state, nation and the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, we believe 2010 will be filled with great blessing as we partner together.
Grace to you and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jim Young
NC State Director
President Capitol Commission
206 New Bern Place – Raleigh, NC 27601 – jim.young@capitolcom.org
December 3, 2009
Capitol Commission recently completed its first annual training and planning session in Raleigh, NC (Nov.16-18). The session consisted of three full and wonderful days of fellowship, encouragement, instruction, and vision casting. On Tuesday morning Pastor Carey Hardy shared a devotional from Psalm 3 entitled “How to respond in hard places.” On Wednesday morning Pastor Jim Harmeling led us in a study of James 1:13-18. The emphasis was upon how to resist temptation to sin when encountering hardships. What a blessing to have these gifted pastors and friends teach the Word of God to us. Both of these men are pastors of churches that support the North Carolina ministry, and Jim Harmeling is a member of Capitol Commission’s national Board of Directors.
As I write this update it has been a mere seven weeks since the birth of Capitol Commission. It would surely be a challenge to thank all the people who have brought us to where we are. However, I especially want to thank two good friends who have helped me with a multitude of tasks. Dick Harris is treasurer, secretary, and chairman of the national Board of Directors. He faithfully identifies the details I often miss. David Dagwell has served well in his role as assistant state director for North Carolina. Currently, he has been asked to complete nearly everything I cannot complete, and he does a better job than me. He accepted nearly all the responsibility for coordinating our planning and training session and deserves much thanks.
The pictures below were taken at the North Carolina state legislative building. There are sixteen present state directors pictured and one new state director, in addition to a few of their assistants.
Prayer with NC Senator Neal Hunt.
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. left to right: Bob Lewis (Pennsylvania), David Cleveland (Arkansas Assistant, Dan File (Colorado and Wyoming). Missing: Dave Dagwell (North Carolina Assistant).
I realize most of you receiving this update are especially interested in what the ministry in NC is accomplishing. With all that has occurred over the last seven weeks, I ask humbly for your patience through this transition. Even though I have the new responsibility, as President, to guide our national ministry, we intend to maintain a continued effective presence in our state, Please faithfully pray for us, as the opposition will be strong. Moreover, please consider giving financially to the NC 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 Capitol Commission, P.O. Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118. For help with praying for your NC legislators, please visit our prayer website at www.ncprays.com.
For those of you interested in how the national ministry will appear, and how it may be different from the ministry with which you were familiar, the following brief summary may be helpful.
The session we just had together was an important time for us to ask some questions of ourselves. It was a time to set the course for the present and the future of this new ministry. Although all of the present state directors have been ministering in their Capitol communities for between 2 and 10 years, there was not a unanimous answer to the question, “who are we?” And even more importantly, “Who would others say we are?” I shared my thoughts as to what I believe the answer to those questions ought to be. I suggested that who we say we are should be the same as how others perceive us. What we perceive ourselves to be should be who we truly are. I believe Paul provided the answer to these questions in his letter to the Corinthians: Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). We are to be servants of Christ and trustworthy stewards of the mysteries of God (gospel). Earlier in his letter, we observe Paul's teaching with regard to how we are to present ourselves and our message: And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
As we watch our nation and its churches progressively abandoning the truths found in Scripture, and our legislators making laws contrary to biblical values, we must focus our attention, our energy and our resources on proclaiming Jesus Christ and His gospel to the decision-makers of our nation. Those who represent Capitol Commission are committed servants of Christ and proclaimers of Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We faithfully teach the Bible, making disciples of those whom God has called to Himself. In His timing, through the power of the Holy Spirit, men and women will become new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). 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.
Jim Young
President
Before I begin this update, I’m sorry I must address the issue of a recent e-mail that was sent to most of you from ... and .... It is deceitful in nature, as was the last one sent, as it is portrayed as a ..., NC update. What is deceitful is that there is no longer a presence of anyone representing ... in NC. This is a subtle and deceitful way for ... to solicit funds from people unaware of the ministry changes that have taken place. If you would like more information on this ministry change and why it happened, this link will take you to an article published in the ..., a Sacramento, CA newspaper. To stop receiving these e-mails from ..., hit unsubscribe on the bottom of the email received from them.
October 20, 2009
This is a good news, sad news update. You will notice as you see the logo at the top of this email, we have begun a new ministry called "Capitol Commission". This is the good news that God has brought into existence in less than two weeks. The purpose of this new ministry is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ among a nations political leaders".
The sad news is ...the story about why this new ministry, "Capitol Commission", has come to be. A friend of mine for the past 10 years, the time in which I have served with ..., has fallen, and ..., founder and president, has been found by his local church to be not biblically qualified for leadership in Christian ministry. Lest anyone jump to the conclusion that this must have been an issue of immorality, unfaithfulness in marriage, or financial indiscretions, it was not.
On November 5th ...sixteen of nineteen State Directors asked ... to resign as president of .... He refused and considered our request to be our statement of resignation. [S]ixteen men went to work putting a new ministry together, “Capitol Commission”. I was honored and humbled to be asked to be the president of this new ministry. I accepted and a new national board of directors was chosen. This board is comprised of two men who had resigned from ... board, John Anderson and George Jackson, along with Jim Harmeling, pastor of Southside Church, Dick Harris, an elder at Providence Baptist Church and myself. The states with State Directors 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. For North Carolina, it is my desire to continue as the North Carolina State Director, with Dave Dagwell taking more and more of the everyday responsibilities.
The new website that is still in process is: www.capitolcom.org. You can donate to this ministry online, or your gifts can be sent to:
Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
Please note NC 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 care.
jim.young@capitolcom.org