November 21, 2011
Five Down ...
Since my last update six weeks ago I have hosted five partnership dinners across the state--Tyler, Lubbock, Amarillo, Ft. Worth, and Houston. I have hosted these dinners with the help of 33 State Representatives, a Senator, several county commissioners and city councilmen, and various business leaders. At every dinner those in attendance enthusiastically share with me how inspired they are by hearing of all that God is doing among state leaders and throughout the capitol community in Texas.
The opportunity to enlist others to join me in reaching the capitol community for Christ is encouraging and fulfilling. While the past several weeks have been as challenging a period as I have faced, I can barely believe how God has blessed with literally hundreds of new partners in the work. God continues to bless this work beyond anything I could hope.
...One to Go!
This Thanksgiving week will be a busy one as I complete preparations for our final Partnership dinner of the season. If you live in the Dallas area, please mark your calendar for next Tuesday, November 29, from 7-9pm at the Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco and join us for this inspiring evening.
The dinner is free to you, because state leaders, locally elected officials, and Christian business leaders from across the Dallas area have already generously provided the funds necessary for the dinner. Several of our state representatives will share about God's activity among state leaders and the capitol community in Texas. You can register now by clicking the link below.
2nd Annual Dallas Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, November 29, 7-9pm
Stonebriar Country Club, Frisco
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
September 30, 2011
New Date For Dallas Partnership Dinner
The date for the 2nd Annual Dallas Partnership Dinner has changed. The date has been moved from Tuesday, October 11 to Tuesday, November 29. The dinner will still be at the Stonebriar Country Club from 7-9pm. Now you have more time to invite others to join you at the dinner.
Please save this date and register online using the link below. See you there!
Register to Attend Now!
2nd Annual Dallas Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, November 29, 7-9pm
Stonebriar Country Club, Frisco
God Bless!
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
September 29, 2011
Save the Date!
Over the next two months, Capitol Commission Texas will be hosting six Partnership Dinners across the state with the help of dozens of State Representatives and a few Senators as well. These dinners will feature the ambiance of the finest venues in the state, uplifting music, encouraging testimonies from state leaders, and exciting reports of God's activity among the capitol community in Texas. There is no charge to attend the dinner, due to the gracious sponsorship of state leaders and Christian business leaders from your area. (If you are interested in sponsoring a table or providing corporate sponsorship, please contact me directly.)
These dinners provide a perfect opportunity to bring a friend along whom you believe might be interested in learning more about how we can reach the capitol community for Christ.
Register to Attend Now!
Take a moment now to click on the name of the dinner that is most convenient for you to attend and register. And please bring someone along who needs to learn about the work of Capitol Commission in Texas. Feel free to send the email along to others whom might be interested in attending the dinner.
2nd Annual East Texas Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, October 18, 7-9pm
Hollytree Country Club, Tyler
1st Annual Lubbock Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, October 25, 7-9pm
Lubbock Country Club
1st Annual Amarillo Partnership Dinner
Thursday, October 27, 7-9pm
The Amarillo Club
2nd Annual Ft. Worth Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, November 1, 7-9pm
The Ft. Worth Club
2nd Annual Houston Commission Dinner
Tuesday, November 15, 7-9pm
Westin Oaks Hotel
2nd Annual Dallas Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, November 29, 7-9pm
Stonebriar Country Club, Frisco
Thank You, Lord!
I close with thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ for His marvelous grace. May you all know His mercies, walk in His strength, and grow in intimacy with Him in these exciting days. I hope I'll see you at one of our dinners in the next few weeks.
God Bless!
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
August 23, 2011
I appreciate you taking a moment to catch up on all God is doing through the work of Capitol Commission in Texas. There is plenty of news and I'm excited to share it with you.
Legislative Conferences
During the first two weeks of this month, I participated in two of the primary annual legislative conferences attended by state leaders. This was my first time to attend a legislative conference. Capitol Commission was an exhibitor at the American Legislative Exchange Council's Annual Meeting in New Orleans. The following week I attended the National Conference of State Legislators in San Antonio, the largest national conference of its kind. These conferences provided great times of fellowship with legislators and countless opportunities to introduce leaders from across the nation to our ministry.
If You Can't Stand The Heat...Get Out Of The Kitchen!
Last week, my family and I were able to escape the record high temperatures in Texas. We had some time away for a much overdue family vacation in the mountains of Colorado. We had great fun and are now home and have jumped right back into the summer heat and, like most of you, we are ramping up for an action-packed fall.
Fall Partnership Dinners
Last fall, I hosted three Partnership Dinners that proved very effective in enlisting believers across the state to the cause of reaching the capitol community for Christ. I am in the process of nailing down dates and places for Partnership Dinners this fall--possibly as many as eight dinners this year! I will be sending out all the necessary information for you to take part in a dinner in your area in the next few weeks.
On the Road Again
Now, it is time to begin the regular routine of traveling the state of Texas. Next week I plan to be in East Texas, the following week in the Panhandle, and the week after that in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. The number of members with whom I have established relationships has at least doubled, which will increase the stops along the way. Though the logistics can become a little tedious, I thoroughly enjoy the one-on-one time with those whom God has called me alongside across this great state. May God make me a blessing to the leaders He has called me to serve.
Thank You!
I cannot help but conclude by expressing my gratefulness for the opportunity to serve in this great cause. Through your generosity and prayers, the Lord graciously allows me to minister the gospel to this very special group of people. My love for them and for each of you grows day by day as we serve together.
God Bless!
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
July 5, 2011
Allow me to share with you some good news that is long overdue.
About the time my last update was due to go out, the regular legislative session ended and the special session began the next day. The pace of these past several weeks has made it difficult to get this update out to you. The work of Capitol Commission in Texas over the past two months has been as fruitful a time as I believe I have ever experienced in ministry. Though I have never felt sufficient for this ministry, I have never felt my insufficiency more and yet seen God bless so much as during this time.
In the Members' Bible Study we finished a rich study in Philippians with record attendance right through the final week. During the four weeks of the special session we resumed the study in James that I had been writing in weekly installments during the past interim, which I call the Texas Capitol Devotional. Working around an unpredictable schedule, the studies continued to see strong attendance. Two of the four weeks of special session we were moved to a larger meeting room before getting started to accomodate the unexpected numbers. The special session also allowed for a lot of one-on-one fellowship and ministry.
(The Texas Capitol Devotional is a few paragraphs of exposition on a few verses of Scripture with an application tied closely to the responsibilities and pressures of state leaders. This weekly devotional goes out to those who request it throughout the interim. If you would like to receive the devotional just email me and let me know.)
My summary statement on the regular and special sessions would be, God has done great things! And I must add, it was a blast to be a part of it! Like most of those in the capitol community would attest right now, it was also very exhausting.
In the next few months, I'll be getting some much needed R&R with my family, catching up on administrative work from the session, attending a legislative conference or two, and beginning the usual travel around the state to do ministry. I must also put my fundraising hat back on after 6 months focused exclusively on ministry. Lastly, with fall approaching, I will begin preparations on our partnership dinners soon.
Please pray for this vital and vibrant work in Texas and the resources necessary to its continued effectiveness. God has been so faithful to provide what is necessary through partners like you over these first few years. We have every confidence He will continue to prove Himself strong on our behalf. Thank you again for your prayers and generosity in working with us to reach the capitol community for Christ!
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
April 14, 2011
Fast, Furious, Fulfilling, and Fun
Forgive the alliteration, but each of these words describe the pace of ministry during the legislative session. We are now 13 weeks into a 20 week session. The members of the legislature are keeping hours that few would believe possible. Between committee hearings, moving their own bills along, and long sessions on the floor, these folks have little time left over for things like eating and sleeping.
The overwhelming demands upon these legislators time make it doubly encouraging that we have seen attendance at the Members' Bible Study increasing in the past several weeks. The past three weeks have seen attendance averaging near 30 members. That is one out of every five members of the House of Representatives attending the Bible Study each week. More than one in four members of the Texas State Legislature have attended the Bible Study at some point this session.
Please Pray
There are several needs I would like to urge you to commit to prayer.
- First, there are several members this session who have lost loved ones close to them, faced devastating illness, and other serious challenges in their families or business.
- Second,please pray for my current transportation situation. I drive several thousand miles each month related to this ministry. My current means of transportation is a vehicle that has over 314,000 miles. I thank God for the means to get around to do ministry, but replacing this vehicle is going to become vital very soon.
- Lastly, pray for contributions to our operating budget. During session, I cannot afford to take time away from the capitol for activities related to raising the support necessary to this ministry.
Again, Thank YouLet me close my update once again by thanking those of you who stand with us in reaching the capitol community for Christ. This ministry is growing in depth and breadth on the prayers and resources God provides through your partnership. May He continue to bless and direct all we do.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
February 24, 2011
Depth and Breadth of Ministry
I have heard it said that we are to take responsibility for the depth of our ministry and allow God to broaden our ministry. God has been gracious in allowing the work of Capitol Commission to grow deeper in regards to the relationships we have with legislators during the first seven weeks of this legislative session. As the weeks seem to race past, I find the discussion during our studies in Philippians going deeper into the text and into the life of a legislator in Texas. Beyond that, the personal times I share with legislators are characterized by a much deeper and more intimate sharing of life together.
At the same time, God has broadened our reach with increased attendance over last session. Thus far we have averaged 24 legislators in attendance each week at the Bible studies with 37 different members having attended at least one study or more. Relationships are developing with a great many state leaders on both sides of the isle who may never attend a study, and yet are open to the encouragement and prayer that our ministry provides. The same trends are present on the staff and lobby side of things as the depth of relationship and the number of those attending the study grows weekly.
Pastors' Commission to the Capitol
Preparations are well underway for our first Pastors' Commission to the Capitol here in Texas. On April 12, 2011 we will rally pastors from across the state of Texas to travel to the Capitol and prayer for and ministry to the leaders of our state. Expect to receive detailed information for the event in the next few weeks, but talk to your pastor now about saving the date on their calendar.
Your Partnership is So Important
I want to close by emphasizing how important each of you is to this ministry. I am encouraged by your commitment to pray for this ministry. It is a delight each time one of you contacts me when you're at the capitol and we are able to sit and visit about all the Lord is doing here this session or to visit a legislator's office together. Make sure and contact me if you're going to make a visit to the capitol. I thank God for your commitment to give as the Lord directs you so that we may endeavor together to reach the capitol community for Christ!
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
January 14, 2011
Week One of the 82nd Legislative Session
I am writing you today having just wrapped up my morning Bible Study with our
legislators. God has been gracious this week and we had 23 state representatives
attend our first study in Philippians, with 17 present at lunch yesterday and 6
this morning for the breakfast study. Fridays we will host a study open to staff,
lobbyists and all members of the capitol community. I am so encouraged by the
commitment of these legislators to make Bible study, fellowship, and prayer a
priority.
First Election Sermon
On the evening of the opening day of the 82nd Legislative Session of the State of
Texas, 197 people, including 22 members of the legislature, gathered for a special
election service. Freshman Representative David Simpson organized the event and it
was my privilege to officiate or emcee the service. Several pastors were involved
and Pastor Tim Brooks brought a sermon in the form of a Biblical charge to the
elected officials regarding the character and role of government. The service was
inspiring and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Time to Rally the Gallery Prayer Team
Beginning next week we hope to host individuals from across the state who will
commit a day to visit the capitol during this upcoming session and spend time in
the house and senate galleries praying for our state leaders. To join this effort,
simply email me at don.garner@capitolcom.org with the date you would like to pray. If you have communicated
interest in the past, could you do me the favor of sending me another email and
confirming that commitment. For all who email me to express their interest, we'll send
instructions for parking, how to set up a meeting with your State Representative
and Senator, and even take a tour of the capitol. You might check with your local
chamber or county organizations to see when they plan to visit the capitol and you
can ride along. You may also want to try to recruit a few from your church to come
along.
Thank You for Praying
God has been so faithful to go before us this week in initiating ministry during
this session. I know that, in part, this is a product of your faithful prayers on
behalf of this ministry. Continue to pray for the development of a Senate study,
for the growth of the house and staff studies, the Gallery Prayer Team, and our
efforts to host many of the pastors that visit the capitol to serve as "Pastor of
the Day" and open each day's session in prayer. Pray for me next Tuesday as I bring
the invocation for a joint session of our House and Senate. Keep praying for me and for the leaders of our state.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
December 9, 2010
What a month!
Between October 26 and November 30 the ministry hosted its first partnership dinners in East Texas, DFW, and the Greater Houston areas. These three dinners had a combined attendance of over 400! Though the whirlwind of meetings, luncheons, dinners, email traffic and phone calls necessary to bring these dinners off was a challenge, mostly, it was an absolute joy. I made more new friends and partners in reaching the capitol community for Christ than I could count. Thanks again to the countless folks across the state who rolled up their sleeves and helped with these events.
Only 33 days...
The 82nd Legislative Session of the State of Texas begins on January 11, 2011. Last session, the first for Capitol Commission in the Texas Capitol, was all about getting off the launchpad and safely into flight. This session is going to be about broadening and deepening the work. We will offer a second study for House members and try to get a Senate study off the ground. The staff/lobby study will take on greater emphasis this session as we try to reach out to so many newcomers starting work in the capitol. A new daily devotional will go out to Texas legislators to supplement the weekly studies. We will be hosting many of the pastors who come to Austin to perform "Pastor of the Day" responsibilities. Add to that the advent of the Gallery Prayer Team.
What is the Gallery Prayer Team?
The Gallery Prayer Team will be made up of people from all over the state of Texas who will commit a day to visit the capitol during this upcoming session and spend time in the house or senate gallery praying for our state leaders. To join this team simply email me with the date you would like to pray. Then we'll send you instructions for parking, setting up a meeting with your State Representative and Senator, and taking a tour of the capitol. You might check with your local chamber or county organizations to see when they plan to visit the capitol and you can ride along. You may also want to recruit a few from your church to come along.
End-of-Year Contribution
So many of you have been generous with this ministry over its first two years helping this ministry to take root in Texas. Now, as we head into the intensive ministry of the legislative session, it is vital that we start the year with the resources necessary for the session.
Additionally, this ministry requires a great deal of travel, making reliable transportation an essential tool. I currently travel the state in a 1995 Chevy that has gotten a little rough around the edges. Will you join me in praying for an upgrade in transportation?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, we can't do it without you. Will you pray about an end-of-year contribution to help reach the capitol community for Christ?.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
November 10, 2010
May I invite you to another dinner? The East Texas dinner exceeded our expectations, but we still have two more dinners to go. Please take a moment to read about the partnership dinners I am hosting in the DFW and Greater Houston areas.
1st Annual DFW Partnership Dinner
We have a seat for you on Tuesday, November 16 from 7-9 at our first annual partnership dinner at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. If you live in the DFW area or even if you don’t, we’d love to have you join us for this special evening. The generosity of many table sponsors enables us to make this invitation to you at no cost. Just let me know you’d like to come and you can enjoy this special eveningJust let me know you’d like to come and you can enjoy this special evening. Just click here and register online right now.
A Night to Remember
It is sure to be a fantastic evening. We will enjoy the Texas grandeur of the Gaylord Texan Resort, not to mention their delectable cuisine. Classic Praise will, once again, provide inspirational music. City Councilman Justin Wright will emcee the program. Matt Barnes, Capitol Commission’s Indiana State Director will share the vital work this ministry carries out in capitols across our nation. Several state leaders will testify to the impact of this work in Texas.
Pray For Abundant Fruit
Once again, may I ask you take a moment, even as you read this update, to pray that the Lord would lead us into His blessings in all the preparations being made for this event? Pray that the Biblical mandate for the work of Capitol Commission in Texas is clearly presented and that God’s people will respond as He directs.
Upcoming Greater Houston Dinner
The Greater Houston dinner will be at the Westin Galleria on Tuesday, November 30 from 7-9 pm. We have available seating for the Houston dinner at no cost to you. The costs have been covered by the generosity of our table sponsors, many of whom are your own state representatives. Contact me if you are interested in more information about this dinner.
Fruitful East Texas Dinner
The East Texas Partnership Dinner in Tyler two weeks ago was an amazing evening! We had hoped to have as many as 120 in attendance—we actually had 158. The fellowship, the direction of emcee, Jason Wright, the music of Classic Praise, the testimonies of several state representatives, and around 20 elected officials in attendance made for an electric time. My thanks to all those who sponsored tables and came to hear about Capitol Commission’s work in Texas.
Thank You
I am grateful for your prayers and participation in this ministry. God continues to deepen and broaden the reach of Capitol Commission in Texas. It is truly an honor to serve with you in this work>
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
October 19, 2010
May I invite you to dinner? Please take a moment to read about the partnership dinners I am hosting in the East Texas, DFW, and Greater Houston areas.
1st Annual Tyler Partnership Dinner
We have a seat for you on Tuesday, October 26 from 7-9 at our first annual partnership dinner at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. If you live in East Texas or even if you don’t, we’d love to have you join us for this special evening. The generosity of many table sponsors enables us to make this invitation to you at no cost. Just let me know you’d like to come and you can enjoy this special evening. Just click here and register online right now.
A Night to Remember
It is sure to be a fantastic evening. We will enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the Willow Brook Country Club, not to mention their delectable cuisine. Classic Praise will provide inspirational music. City Councilman Jason Wright will emcee the program. Jim Young, Capitol Commission’s President will share the vital work this ministry carries out in capitols across our nation. Several state leaders will testify to the impact of this work in Texas.
Pray for Abundant Fruit
Will you take a moment, even as you read this update, to pray that the Lord would lead us into His blessings in all the preparations being made for this event? Pray that the Biblical mandate for the work of Capitol Commission in Texas is clearly presented and that God’s people will respond as He directs.
DFW and Greater Houston Dinners
Soon I will send an update with all the details for our DFW and Greater Houston dinners. The DFW dinner will be at the Gaylord Texan Resort on Tuesday, November 16 from 7-9 pm. The Greater Houston dinner will be at the Westin Galleria on Thursday, November 18 from 7-9 pm. Contact me if you are interested in more information about any of these dinners.
Thank You!
I am grateful for your prayers and participation in this ministry. God continues to deepen and broaden the reach of Capitol Commission in Texas. It continues to be my honor to serve with you in this work.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
September 17, 2010
I trust you’ve had a good summer. Tracey and I celebrated twenty-five years of marriage in August in Winter Park, Colorado and it was one of the best weeks of our lives. But now we are back in the throes of our usual activities and I expect you are as well. Please take a moment to read about the ground we are gaining in increasing awareness and involvement in the work of Capitol Commission in Texas as we draw near to the start of another legislative session in January.
God continues to open up relationships with Christian leaders across Texas who recognize the biblical mandate to reach the capitol community for Christ. These relationships provide opportunities to speak about our work at a wide array of events. These opportunities are a continual source of encouragement as they broaden the reach of this ministry and deepen the engagement of those already committed to the cause. I will speak at a prayer gathering in the Tyler area next Tuesday, September 21 called Come Pray with Me! at which they are expecting as many as 2,000 people. Wow! The Lord is doing more to advance this work than I could have ever imagined.
The Lord has led in the preparations for several regional dinners to mobilize believers across Texas to the task of reaching the capitol community for Christ. The dinners will be held in Tyler, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and the Greater Houston area. The dinner in Tyler will be held on Tuesday, October 26, and those in DFW and Houston will be in mid-November. I’ll finalize the dates, venues and speakers by the end of September. Please be praying for these events and watch for further communication about them. I hope many of you will be able to attend one of the dinners.
Things are really coming together in the formation of the Texas Capitol Prayer Team. Members of this team will carry out a vital project during the next legislative session. This project calls upon believers from across the state to travel to the State Capitol while the legislature is in session and spend time praying in the public gallery of the House and Senate. Consider this a short-term (one-day) missions project to reach the capitol community for Christ. This trip will provide a perfect opportunity to tour the capitol, meet your state representative and senator, and check out the capitol city. If you are interested in participating, please reply and I’ll get you on the schedule.
I am grateful for your partnership in this ministry. I could not do it alone. Keep the work of Capitol Commission Texas in your prayers. As the ministry grows, the resources required to do the work grows as well. God has been faithful to bring the increase thus far and I am eager to see the remarkable ways He will continue to do so in days ahead.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
August 4, 2010
Back in April, I shared in a few paragraphs on what I believe to be every Christian’s responsibility—to honor those in authority and to pray for them, rather than disparage them. In providing feedback, a godly State Representative challenged me to take it a step further and discuss the believer’s responsibility to participate in the government process. Recently I have had several opportunities to clarify my understanding and articulate to others what I believe the Scriptures have to say about that very topic.
On Independence Day I had the opportunity to preach a message on Christian Patriotism at Parkway Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas, my home church. I have had several opportunities to address various Christian or political groups on the topic in the past few months, and just yesterday I was interviewed on an internet radio program, Grassroots America. Links to audio files for the sermon on Christian Patriotism and yesterday’s interview are below.
Click the following link to hear my sermon on Christian Patriotism. (This is a full-length sermon.)
Click the following link to hear yesterday’s interview on the weekly internet radio program, Grassroots America, in which I discuss the work of Capitol Commission in Texas. Be sure to start the player for the show dated 08-02-2010 listed under “Recent Shows.” You can click and drag the progress bar to around the 15 minute mark to catch my interview at the beginning. The interview is around 10 minutes long. Grassroots America
Now allow me to summarize the thesis of my sermon on Christian Patriotism and the Christian’s responsibility to participate in government in a paragraph.
Romans 13.7 provides a concluding imperative based on the preceding six verses, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” This verse harkens back to Jesus teaching that we are to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s. Whatever government authorities rightfully require of her citizenry, every citizen is compelled to provide, especially the Christian. As Americans, our form of government requires more than the payment of taxes; it is entirely dependent upon every citizen’s participation. As for participation, the Christian is compelled to participate in a way that is characterized by Christ-likeness.
May we all endeavor to be Christian patriots!
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
July 13, 2010
I have exciting developments to report regarding the growing list of ministry partners for Capitol Commission in Texas. It seems that so often my communication with you has reflected desperate need as we have worked to get this ministry off the ground. It is great to share with you a sense of victory as the ministry seems to be turning a corner in its development.
Enlisting others to the cause of reaching the capitol community for Christ is a fundamental part of my work as Texas State Director. Perseverance is essential, because there is usually a lag time between the efforts necessary to enlist new partners and their decision to enlist. This perseverance is fed by daily trust in God, enthusiasm for the cause, and diligence in the little things. Certainly, it requires seeing people…a lot of people.
As recently as May, we were behind in raising support by an amount equal to five times our monthly budget. In the span of a few weeks, we have seen God reduce our deficit to less than two months of our monthly budget. The enthusiastic reception I see among believers from across Texas to this cause is so encouraging. God has granted this ministry favor with leaders across the state and a momentum that bodes well for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session.
I am grateful for so many of you whose generosity is enabling this ministry to thrive. There are many who have stood with us as we have labored to see this ministry launched in Texas. The prospect of catching up on our budget has for so long looked to be in the far distant future. Yet, with recent gains, it looks like becoming “current” is within reach before the year’s end. The work of Capitol Commission in Texas seems to be shifting from that of a start-up ministry to an established and thriving ministry.
There remains much work to be done. We must raise somewhere in the neighborhood of $55,000 by the end of the year to make budget. With much prayer and diligence, we can do it. I pray that if you are not already a part of the team, you will join with us in this exciting work of God among the leaders of our state. The opportunity to impact the lives, not just of government leaders, but people all across the state of Texas lay directly before us. May God grant us all the fortitude and passion to make the most of it!
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
June 7, 2010
I can truly say, as the apostle Paul did, that “a wide door for effective service has opened to me.”
I feel more fulfilled than ever to serve as a catalyst for the advance of the gospel and the building up of believers among state legislators, lobbyists, legislative staffers, political consultants, agency personnel, city and county officials, judges, and all of those who are part of the political community in Texas. I am humbled by the relationships that continue to develop with the leaders of our state and the many “divine appointments” the Lord sets before me. God continues to significantly deepen and broaden the reach of Capitol Commission in Texas. Next year’s legislative session is going to be an exciting ride!
Does your church have a missionary to the Texas State Capitol? It is likely that it doesn’t and I would like to ask you to help me fill that role. Throughout the rest of this year, I have made it a priority to build relationships with churches across the state. My goal is to help churches connect to the capitol community. By introducing me to your pastor, missions director, or some other key church leader, you can help me to become your church’s missionary to the capitol.
Could you make a short-term mission trip (one day) to the Capitol in Austin during the next legislative session? I am organizing an effort to schedule several intercessors each day who will pray for at least an hour in the house and senate gallery. If you have an interest in signing up for one day at the capitol as an intercessor, please reply to this email and simply state your interest in visiting the capitol to pray for state leaders in the gallery. And if you haven’t subscribed to my daily email prayer reminders, do so now by simply clicking the link: www.texascapitolprayerteam.blogspot.com, enter your email address and click the submit button.
Finally, I want to thank all of you who have become partners with us to reach the capitol community for Christ through your involvement and generous contributions. By helping us to raise the resources necessary to pursue this ministry you play a vital role in the advance of the gospel among many of the most influential individuals in Texas. As we are still in the midst of start-up, we have much work to do in raising the necessary level of support. We are confident that, as the Lord makes you able, many of you will contribute for the first time and those who have been giving will remain faithful in doing so. We truly couldn’t do this ministry without each of you whom God brings along side of us.
Blessings,
Don Garner
State Director, Texas
April 15, 2010
It is tax day and I trust we have all grown from our annual pilgrimage through the intricacies of the U.S. tax system (yes, you should note a hint of sarcasm). Tax season rolls around each year and as believers we have to remind ourselves that Our Lord taught us to “render therefore to Caesar those things that are Caesar’s.” Now is a good time to reorient ourselves to a Biblical mindset toward civil government.
Government, for all its problems, is part of God’s created order. Government exists because it has been granted a jurisdiction, a sphere of authority, from none other than God Himself. Romans 13 teaches that all government leaders derive their authority from God. I Peter 2.13-17 teaches that believers are to submit themselves to government authority for the Lord’s sake. Government leaders are God’s servants to reward those who do good and punish those who do evil. And in 1 Timothy 2. 1-7, Paul exhorts Timothy, the young pastor of the church at Ephesus, to lead the church to pray for kings and all who are in authority.
Let’s give further consideration to Paul’s words. The end of these prayers is that believers lead a quiet and peaceable life and that unbelieving government leaders come to faith in Christ. Rather than being characterized as quiet and peaceable, it seems that many Christians are among the loudest and most agitated protestors of government leaders. Today, the posture of most evangelical churches toward government is one of antagonism—not a relationship likely to gain a hearing for the gospel . Evangelicals are portrayed today as bigoted hot-heads always crying foul while trying to cram their out-dated religious views down the entire nation’s throat. Maybe that portrayal is more accurate than we would like to admit. Maybe this prayer thing that Paul wrote about is more important that we realize.
Let today, April 15, mark a fresh commitment on your part as a follower of Christ, to pray for those in authority. In doing so, may you be characterized by quiet and peaceable attitudes toward government leaders and a deep concern for their spiritual condition. I want to help make it easy for you to become faithful in this kind of praying. I have a practical way I want to help.
Simply click on the following link: www.texascapitolprayerteam.blogspot.com. I have set up this page on the web to allow you access to several government leaders you can pray for each day. Over the course of two months, you will pray for those in the executive, judicial, and legislative branch of both U.S. and Texas government. On this page you are invited to receive each daily installment of the prayer list by email. Signing up will mean that you will receive a daily email reminder to pray for government officials, providing you with the names of four or five leaders to pray for that day. Also, I have provided a link to each government leader’s official website in the email. Opening each daily email and praying for four or five leaders by name will take only a few seconds out of your day, but it will return huge dividends from an eternal perspective.
I invite you to click on the link and take a few seconds to sign up today to receive the daily reminders. One of my priorities for ministry this year is that believers across the state of Texas be mobilized to pray for government leaders. I hope I can help you to take up this responsibility as a believer to pray. I hope the Texas Capitol Prayer Team website helps many of you to do this in 2010 and beyond.
Blessings,
Don Garner
March 1, 2010
February 28 ended the most intense and diverse period of ministry I have ever been involved in. In the past month I have shared my passion for ministering to and among the state’s leaders with oilmen, high school students, and groups of pastors. I offered the invocation at a 10th amendment symposium, attended various candidate forums and fundraisers, and met with candidates for various offices at virtually all levels of city, county, and state government. I have spent personal time with state representatives, county commissioners, lobbyists, staffers, appellate and district court judges, state senators, and former and current members of congress. It has been an amazing month! My passion for this ministry and my love for those I am called to serve grows daily.
On a more personal note, February brought with it the opportunities to meet heroes in the faith—David Barton and Richard Owen Roberts. My boys and I also had the opportunity to meet CBS Sportscaster James Brown. We became members of Parkway Baptist Church in McKinney this past month and I was given an opportunity to teach the auditorium Bible study class. Our oldest child, Jessica celebrated her 21st birthday. And today my wife, my son, Sam, and I are flying to Burbank to tour Jay Leno’s personal car collection and attend the Tonight Show. Sam has written to Mr. Leno several times over the last year resulting in a few personal calls from Leno himself, and an invitation to come visit. Sam is not old enough to sit in the audience, so he’ll be back in the Green Room with Tuesday’s guests, Shaun White and Sarah Palin. Tracey and I will join Sam in the Green Room for pictures after the show. I’m not making this stuff up!
The weekly Texas Capitol Devotional has been a big hit in its first month. Each week the number of those asking to receive it grows dramatically. It has opened up another touchpoint for coming alongside our state’s leaders with the ministry of the word. New relationships with leaders throughout the state are springing up and beginning to grow. Church leaders are receiving the mandate to pray for "kings and all who are in authority."
This ministry is more rewarding and engaging than any I have ever had the privilege of being involved in. I am grateful for your partnership in this work. May God allow great fruitfulness in our service to Him.
Blessings,
Don Garner
P.S. I am still learning of confusion over emails many of you are receiving from ... and .... I apologize for the confusion caused by ...’s misleading messages. ... has no ministry in Texas whatsoever. They do have ministries in two states. Capitol Commission has state directors in 19 states and is growing fast. You may want to unsubscribe from the emails you are receiving from ... of ..., understanding that he was deemed unfit for spiritual leadership by his home church of over 30 years and his own pastor, Dr. John MacArthur.
February 2, 2010
The political community in Texas is broad and diverse, encompassing members of the legislature, state agency employees, staffers, state and county judges, the lobby community and many more. Yet within this diversity, the members of the political community face common pressures and temptations, common struggles and pitfalls. My hope is to be an encouragement to all of those involved in the leadership of the great state of Texas. Below you will find the first of a series of devotionals I am writing with state leaders in mind. I am calling these weekly email devotionals the Texas Capitol Devotional.
These brief devotionals (approximately 400 words) will be geared to the political community in Texas. I will send these devotionals out by email each week, probably mid-week. I will begin with studies from the New Testament book of James. These devotionals will be posted to a blog each week and those who wish to comment on the devotional studies will be able to do so on the blog or simply reply to me with any comments.
While the Texas Capitol Devotional will be written with the perspective of state leaders close at hand, anyone who would like to receive these weekly emails may do so by clicking the link above to reply to this email and stating in the reply that you would like to receive the Texas Capitol Devotional. As mentioned above you may also find the devotionals posted shortly after they go out through email each week on my blog: capitolcomtexas.blogspot.com.
The opening statement from the letter of James found in the first verse of chapter one should provide some challenging thoughts for you today. I hope you’ll take a moment to read this inaugural issue of The Texas Capitol Devotional below. And join me in praying for the leaders of our state, that they might know Christ and grow in His likeness!
Texas Capitol Devotional
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. James 1.1
The New Testament Book of James is the first letter among seven referred to as General Epistles. This designation indicates that the letter was written to a broad audience, rather than to a particular individual or church. In this letter, James addresses the twelve tribes scattered abroad. In preparation for the spread of the gospel, God had providentially dispersed the Jews over centuries of war. Many of these Jews were among the first to come to faith in Christ. It is to them that James originally addressed this letter.
This letter is not characterized by clever rhetoric or philosophical insight, but instead offers us down-to-earth, practical value. It is not as much doctrinal as it is ethical. James’ use of 54 imperatives in 108 verses serves as clear evidence of his intent to be direct and practical. This letter’s contents have been summed up by titles such as: Marks of Christian Maturity, New Testament Proverbs, Christian Ethics or Morality, Practical Standards for Christian Conduct.
James was the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ and the undisputed leader of the church in Jerusalem. Yet he identifies himself here by only one title—bondservant. He addresses those early believers to whom he writes, and to us, as brothers and sisters in Christ. James is simply a bond-servant writing to fellow-servants of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
A bondservant is one who has willingly bound and submitted himself to another. This servanthood requires dedication to the goals, priorities, and, even, preferences of one master. The term implies a willingness to be bound to such a relationship and a positive disposition toward one’s master.
As state leaders you face temptations to magnify your own importance, to pursue your own agenda, and expect others to serve you. Christ calls you to follow His example by demonstrating the attitude of a bond-servant. I once heard it said that the clearest indication of a servant’s attitude is how you react when treated like one. Are you a bond-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you willingly bound yourself to Him? Have you dedicated yourself to the pursuit of His goals, priorities, and, even, His preferences? In the span of this short letter, James levels numerous stinging rebukes against those who have failed to embrace the attitudes of a bondservant. Brace yourself!
Blessings,
Don Garner
Don.Garner@CapitolCom.org
512.745.1643
December 30, 2009
I trust you have had a memorable and uplifting Christmas with those nearest and dearest to you. Now, with New Year’s Day only days away, we begin to reflect on the passing of another year with all its many joys and, hopefully, not so many difficulties. Many of us will attempt to evaluate our own faithfulness over the past year to what we claim to hold as our highest priorities in life. We may even set goals for the coming year to help us be faithful to our priorities. How did you do this year in keeping the main thing the main thing? Tough question, isn’t it?
As state director of Capitol Commission, I remind myself daily that the main thing must include the gospel. In an environment characterized by a relentless battle over what priorities will win out legally, morally, and economically in our culture, I strive to present the priority of the gospel above all else. While the gospel carries profound implications for a culture, the power of the gospel is only realized one life at a time. We cannot win our culture to Christ nor can we lead our culture to grow in Christ. The Great Commission calls us to win men and women to Christ and encourage them to grow to maturity in that relationship. That is why the gospel is the “main thing” for me as the state director of Capitol Commission.
My prayer for you is that as you clarify your priorities for the year 2010, you will clearly establish the gospel of Jesus Christ as your top priority. If you feel compelled to join me in reaching the capitol community for Christ, I would welcome your prayers, involvement, and financial support. I cannot do what I do without partners like you. I am grateful for so many of you who have contributed to the work of Capitol Commission in this past year. May God bless your generous giving. If you have not yet partnered with us, now would be a great time to do so. You can still make your contribution count for 2009 if it is postmarked by tomorrow, December 31st.
You can donate online at www.CapitolCom.org/Donate or your contributions can be mailed to:
The Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
(Please note TX in the memo line of your checks)
Blessings,
Don Garner
Don.Garner@CapitolCom.org
512.745.1643
December 1, 2009
I trust you and yours had a memorable Thanksgiving holiday. It seems that the challenges and hardships which have befallen so many this past year have brought a unique spirit of gratitude and caring to our nation’s observance of Thanksgiving. This serves as more evidence that difficulties are attended by comforts that cannot be experienced aside from them.
As I look back at my calendar, I can hardly believe it has been five weeks since my last update. In that time I have had the privilege of spending time with many legislators, staff members, lobbyists, officers of various state agencies, and judges, as well as, pastors and many present and potential ministry partners all over the great state of Texas. Add to that a great Thanksgiving weekend with family, a birthday campout with my youngest son and his buddies, attending a TCU game with friends, and Tracey and I attending the UT-Kansas game at Memorial Stadium to see Colt McCoy play his last home game for the Horns (Colt for Heisman!). These things alone made for a busy and rewarding month.
Yet, with all the November activity described above, I have left out a significant event in the development of Capitol Commission. On October 13-16, the state directors gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina for our first annual Training and Planning Meetings. We had 17 current state directors present, including our new president, Jim Young. A candidate for state director from Georgia joined us to learn more about the ministry. Our administrator, development coach, and several board members joined us as well. The entire week was effective and encouraging, with the possible exception of an ugly display at the bowling alley by yours truly on our final evening together. The place is still standing, but the lane I used may have needed some minor repairs after I abused it for a couple of games. The week was productive, inspiring, and unifying. It is an honor to be associated with such men and women.
More than that, it is an honor to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, as I serve the leaders of the state of Texas. Among other things, in this Thanksgiving season, I am grateful to God for each of you and what you mean to me, my family, and the work of Capitol Commission Texas.
Blessings,
Don Garner
Don.Garner@CapitolCom.org
512.745.1643