October 7, 2011
“Contentment is an elusive virtue. We often seek for contentment and happiness in places where it cannot be found – money, possessions, power, positions, relationships, or freedom from trials and difficulties in life. Contentment may be particularly difficult to achieve in life and work here in the capitol. There is often the ambition to gain a higher office or position of leadership. There is a great desire to win the political battles over important issues and legislation. There are often difficult circumstances and situations that threaten to rob one of contentment. Paul has encouraged the Philippian believers to “Rejoice in the Lord, always” (Philippians 4:4). Now he writes of a quality closely related to joy, that of contentment…”
This is the introduction to this month’s interim Bible study in the West Virginia Capitol. Indeed, in the world of politics, contentment with positions and circumstances is difficult to achieve. This is particularly true as we have seen the recent shakeup in leadership and the whole redistricting process. Our study on Philippians 4:10-13 is entitled “The Secret of Contentment in the Capitol”. Please pray for us as we seek to share that true contentment can only be found through Christ.
Our legislators will be gathering in Charleston Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12. We will be holding our Bible study on Tuesday at noon.
- Pray for our legislators as they travel
- Pray for God to use our Bible study notes as they are distributed to legislators and elected officials throughout the capitol
- Pray for the Bible study to be held in the capitol on Tuesday
- Pray for the contacts and visits I will be able to make during the interim meetings.
As always, thank you for your prayer and support of our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
September 9, 2011
The monthly interim committee meetings for September will be held next week, September 12-14. In these interim meetings as well as during the regular sessions lawmakers must deal with a host of challenging issues which require biblical thinking in order to make wise decisions. More importantly, our leaders and elected officials must be challenged to think biblically about their lives and eternal destinies. Our Bible study on Tuesday, September 13, “Godly Thinking in the Capitol” from Philippians 4:8 is an extremely important topic for those serving in the statehouse.
Please pray for our studies on Tuesday as we seek to challenge our leaders to godly thinking in their lives and in their service in the capitol.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
July 29, 2011
The monthly interim committee meetings for August will be held next week, August 1-3. In addition, the governor has called a special session to deal the issue of redistricting. This is a contentious issue which will cause a great deal of anxiety and stress for all those involved. Our Bible study on Tuesday, August 3, “Dealing with Worry and Anxiety in the Capitol” from Philippians 4:6-7 should be particularly appropriate for this time.
The issue of redistricting has to do with exactly who our legislators represent. The push for single member districts emphasizes the need for people to know exactly who represents them in Charleston. I believe this is an opportunity for us to remember that we have a responsibility to represent our leaders before the Lord in prayer. In 1 Timothy 2 Paul exhorts us to pray “for kings and all who are in authority”. One of the four words he uses to describe these prayers is “petitions” or “intercessions”. We are to go before the Lord in prayer on behalf of our leaders. In essence, we are to represent them before God. Just as our leaders have a responsibility to represent the people who live in their district, we have a responsibility to represent our leaders before the Lord in prayer.
As we hear much the issue of redistricting in the news during the upcoming special session, let us be reminded of our responsibility to faithfully represent our leaders as we pray on their behalf.
Here are some tools to help you more specifically and effectively represent West Virginia’s leaders in prayer:
Print Version of Daily Prayer Guide
Online Version of Daily Prayer Guide
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Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
July 7, 2011
There are some important meetings taking place during next week’s legislative interims at the West Virginia Capitol.
The legislators will be dealing with redistricting, an issue which could have a dramatic effect on the election of our lawmakers both in Charleston and in Washington D.C. Our leaders continue to deal the regulation of Marcellus Shale gas drilling, an activity that could have a huge impact on our state’s economy. Out of all the meetings dealing with these and other significant issues, none are more important than the Bible study for legislators and elected officials scheduled for Tuesday, July 12 at 12:00 noon.
We will be considering “The Highest Goal in the Capitol” as we look at Philippians 3:12-14. Many serving in the capitol have high and lofty goals. Some have their sights set on positions of leadership and influence. Others look ahead to higher positions in the state or perhaps even in Washington. We will learn from Paul’s life and example that our highest goal should be that of knowing Christ fully and experiencing perfect fellowship with Him. This is a tremendously important topic for those serving in government who are tempted to pursue mere earthly goals.
Please pray for our legislators as they gather in Charleston July 11-13. Pray for our study and for the impact of the Word of God as it has been distributed through our study notes to every legislator and elected official. Pray that God will open the minds and hearts of our leaders to see what is truly the highest goal that they can pursue in the capitol and in life.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
June 12, 2011
Our interim Bible study for legislators and elected officials serving in the West Virginia state capitol is coming up this week. As the leaders gather in Charleston for three days of meetings on June 13-15, we will be continuing our series in Philippians with a study entitled "Gospel Accounting in the Capitol" from Philippians 3:7-9. Our study will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at 12:00 noon. The study notes are distributed to every legislator and elected official through regular mail, email, and handed out personally throughout the capitol. Please pray that God will use His word to impact the hearts of our leaders this week.
Last week Wood County Delegate Larry Border passed away suddenly. I had the privilege of attending both the visitation Friday evening and the funeral service in Parkersburg on Saturday. The death of Delegate Border brings the number of legislators who have died in just a little over a year to five:
- Mercer County Senator Don Caruth (May 2010)
- Nicholas County Delegate Sam Argento (October 2010)
- Mercer County Delegate Mike Porter (September 2010)
- Putnam County Delegate Dale Martin (May 2011)
- Wood County Delegate Larry Border (June 2011)
We should certainly remember to continue to pray for the families and friends of these leaders. The deaths of so many in such a short time in such a small community should also remind us of the urgency of sharing the gospel with our leaders. Please pray as we continue to seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ through our Bible studies and other ministries with leaders in the capitol and around the state.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
May 13, 2011
Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year. In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session. This month's interim meetings will be held on May 16-18.
During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our studies for this month from our ongoing series from Philippians is entitled "The Answer to Grumbling & Complaining in the Capitol" will be held on Tuesday, May 17. Our meetings will be held at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and we provide both a breakfast and lunch for the leaders.
Please pray for our leaders as they gather for these meetings:
- Pray for safety as they travel.
- Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.
- Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.
- Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.
State Director, West Virginia
March 17, 2011
The 2011 regular session has now come to a close. The legislators are spending this week working the budget and we will be holding our final Bible study during this time. This week’s study is entitled “Our Work and God’s Work” from Philippians 2:12-13. I am excited to share this important passage in the capitol dealing with how we grow in Christ. Our studies in Philippians will continue during the interim meetings which will be held each month.
Last week I had the opportunity to gather with all of our Capitol Commission state directors, home office staff, and national board members at The Shepherd’s Conference held at Grace Community Church in California. We had a wonderful time together as we listened to great preaching and spent time in fellowship and training together. I always come away from this time encouraged to remain faithful to the task of proclaiming Christ to our leaders in Charleston and around the state.
Thank you once again for your prayer and support of our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
March 2, 2011
From this week’s Bible study, "Exalting Christ in the Capitol", at the West Virginia statehouse:
"Polycarp was arrested on the charge of being a Christian -- a member of a politically dangerous cult whose rapid growth needed to be stopped. Amidst an angry mob, the Roman proconsul took pity on such a gentle old man and urged Polycarp to proclaim, "Caesar is Lord". If only Polycarp would make this declaration and offer a small pinch of incense to Caesar's statue he would escape torture and death. To this Polycarp responded, "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" Steadfast in his stand for Christ, Polycarp refused to compromise his beliefs, and thus, was burned alive at the stake.
"The good Roman Citizen recognized Caesar as Lord and proclaimed allegiance to him. The citizen of heaven recognizes only Christ as Lord and proclaims and demonstrates allegiance to Him alone."
- This week we have the opportunity to study Philippians 2:9-11 and consider the incredible exaltation of Christ. Pray for as we contemplate what it means to “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” in our own lives and in the state capitol.
- Next week all of our Capitol Commission state directors, national staff, and board members will be gathering at the Shepherd’s Conference at Grace Community Church in California. This will be a wonderful time of spiritual challenge, fellowship, encouragement, and training. Please pray this will be profitable event both for our ministry here in West Virginia and for the rest of our ministries around the nation.
As always, thank you for your prayer and support for our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
February 23, 2011
The session is beginning to wind down and things are getting very busy at the capitol. Next week both chambers will likely begin holding two floor sessions a day. The hectic pace of these last weeks makes it difficult for legislators, lobbyists, and staff to attend our Bible studies. As a result I try to spend extra time in the afternoons meeting and visiting during whatever free time they might have.
Our study for this week is entitled “Putting Others First in the Capitol” from Philippians 2:5-9. Certainly there is no greater place than in the world of politics for the challenge to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Please pray for the gospel to impact hearts as we seek to lift up Christ as the preeminent example of humility and selflessness as He served, suffered, and died for our sin.
Thank you once again for your prayer and support for our ministry to the capitol and to leaders around the state.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
February 16, 2011
“Imagine you see Paul landing upon the shores of Philippi. There by the riverside are crowds gathered, going about their business. The merchant busy with his ledger might say, ‘For me to live is gold’. The clerk toiling for his master responds ‘For me to live is subsistence’. The scholar may reply ‘For me to live is learning’. The soldier says ‘For me to live is glory’."
C.H. Spurgeon used this illustration in his sermon on Philippians 1:21. I wonder if we walked the main hall of the capitol building and asked the question, “To you, what is it to live?” what answers we might get in response. “To win the next election”. “To gain a position of leadership and influence.” “To see my issue or cause advanced.” Every heavenly citizen, along with Paul should reply, “For me, to live is Christ”. This week’s capitol Bible study is on Paul’s amazing statement, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”. In the midst of all the important issues dealt with in the statehouse, we are praying this study might remind the leaders, lobbyists, and staff who serve there that there are even more important matters of life and death. You can find a copy of this week’s study, “A Matter of Life and Death in the Capitol”, here.
On Tuesday, we had the wonderful opportunity to schedule Scott and Joanne Carpenter and their five children to sing to open up the floor session in the House of Delegates and I had the privilege to pray. The Carpenters were tremendously well received by the members and staff and we pray this might open up more doors for ministry both in the capitol and around the state.
Please continue to pray for our ministry as we are now past the half way point of the session. Things get even more hectic from here on out and it becomes difficult for folks to attend the Bible studies. Pray that I might be able to seek out additional opportunities to minister and serve during this busy time.
Thank you once again for your prayers and support of our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
February 9, 2011
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else…” Philippians 1:12-13
Yesterday I stood at one end of the main floor of the West Virginia capitol building and looked down that grand corridor, across the rotunda, towards the Senate chamber at the other end. The hallway was packed with people—legislators, lobbyists, staff, state employees, and regular citizens—all gathered for one of the special days held throughout the regular session. I was overwhelmed with the main thought of this week’s statehouse Bible study, “Advancing the Gospel in the Capitol”. The question that captivated me was “How can we see the gospel advance more openly and effectively here in this place among these people?”
In our studies of Philippians we see how Paul rejoiced in the midst of difficult circumstances. He saw that the challenges he faced only served to “advance the gospel”. The gospel progressed to the point that when Paul offered greetings from the saints at the end of his letter, he included “especially those from Caesar’s household” (4:22). Paul rejoiced because he saw the gospel advance to some of the highest levels of leadership in the Roman Empire.
I prayed as I watched the crowd that God would grant us more opportunity to see the advance and progress of the gospel in the West Virginia state capitol. Please partner with us in prayer, as the Philippian believers did with Paul, that the “cause of Christ will become well known throughout the whole state capitol”.
- Pray for our ongoing Bible studies during the session as the notes are distributed in person and by email each week. (You can find a copy of this week’s study here).
- Pray that I might have more courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel personally as I regularly visit throughout the capitol.
- Pray that God will bring about circumstances and situations that might serve to turn out for the greater progress of the gospel in the capitol.
As always, thank you for your support and prayer for our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
February 2, 2011
How should we pray for our legislators and elected officials? An important part of our ministry is encouraging churches and individual believers to faithfully and specifically pray for their leaders. That is why we developed the West Virginia Prayer Column, an online version of our daily prayer guide. There you can find the names of several legislators and leaders for whom you can pray each day. When we do pray for them, how should we pray? We find a good example in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
This week’s Bible study in the West Virginia state capitol is titled, “A Great Prayer for the Capitol Community”. In it we are studying Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi found in Philippians 1:9-11. Indeed, in it we see a great model of how we might pray for those serving in the statehouse. We must certainly pray for those who do not know Christ that they might believe in Him. Paul gives us a wonderful example of how we can pray for believers there as well. We can pray:
- That their love may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment
- That they might approve the things that are excellent
- That they might be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
- That they might be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ
- That all they do might be to the glory and praise of God
Of course, this is a great prayer for every church and for each one of us as believers. I believe it is also a great prayer for those serving in the capitol community.
Please pray for us as the study notes are distributed throughout the capitol this week and for our Bible studies on Thursday. Thank you once again for your prayers and support of our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
January 26, 2011
Perhaps you have been following the tumult in the West Virginia capitol during this regular session. At a time like this, there are a lot of words that could be used to describe life and work in the capitol. I do not think “Joy” would be one of them.
For many in the capitol, their happiness is tied to the circumstances around them. Winning (or losing) elections. Gaining (or relinquishing) positions of leadership. Prevailing (or experiencing defeat) on important issues. Their whole lives are tied to success or failure in the uncertainties of politics.
This week’s capitol Bible study is entitled, “Finding Joy in Life at the Capitol”. (You can download the study notes here.) It is our prayer that those serving in the capitol community would find their joy in Jesus Christ, not in the tumultuous circumstances of life in statehouse.
Please pray for us as we have the opportunity to distribute the notes, meet with leaders, lobbyists, and staff, and hold our Bible studies on Thursday.
Let me leave you with this from our study: “It is when we fill our minds and hearts with Jesus Christ instead of the things of this world that we experience real joy”.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
January 19, 2011
There are many important issues dealt with in the capitol every day during the regular session. None are more important than that which determines the eternal destiny of every person working and serving there.
This week's Capitol Bible Study deals with the important issue, "How to Become a Citizen of Heaven". Paul writes of his desire "to be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith..." (Philippians 3:9). Before we study the blessings and responsibilities of heavenly citizenship, we must first determine how we become citizens of God's kingdom. That is the vital topic for our current study in Paul's letter to the Philippians.
We are excited for the opportunity to boldly share the gospel in our Bible studies this week. Pray for our studies and for God's Word to impact lives as it is presented in the statehouse both in our meetings and through the distribution our study notes.
You can download a copy of this week’s Bible study here.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
January 12, 2011
The 2011 regular session begins Wednesday evening with the governor’s state of the state address. This is a grand event as both the West Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates gather together for a joint meeting in the house chamber. They are joined in a procession by all the members of the executive branch and the justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court. Finally, the governor and his family enter, escorted by a special committee of senators and delegates. There are usually a number of special guests and celebrities, both on the house floor and in the galleries. The governor then gives his address laying out his goals and agenda for the coming year.
As I sit in the gallery and observe this august event, I am overwhelmed by the privilege and opportunity to share the gospel and teach the Word of God among this group of West Virginia’s leaders. I am thankful and amazed at the open doors God has provided for our ongoing ministry at the statehouse. Just as the governor reveals his plans and goals for the coming year in his state of the state address, I’d like to share with you our plans for the upcoming session.
We will be holding three Bible studies each week during the regular legislative session which runs from January 12 – March 16.
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Each Tuesday at 12:00 noon we will meet with lobbyists and staff. We have sent out an email with a copy of our first study notes attached to every registered lobbyist in the state (over 300). We usually have several lobbyists along with a number of staff who join us each week throughout the session.
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We hold two studies for legislators and elected officials on Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. and at noon. Spring Hill Baptist Church is helping to sponsor breakfast and lunch for each of our meetings. We hope this helps busy leaders to attend during the hectic days of the session.
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We will be teaching a series entitled “Citizens of Heaven”: Studies in Philippians. We are excited about the opportunity to share the gospel as we discuss how to become a citizen of heaven. We will also consider both the privileges and responsibilities of heavenly citizenship as we face the challenges of living and serving here on earth. You can download the first study in our series here.
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Every week we distribute the study notes to every legislator and elected official’s office throughout the capitol in person and through email. This provides a wonderful opportunity to meet with and minister to both leaders and staff on a weekly basis.
Please pray for our Bible studies and our other ministry opportunities during the session. Pray for those leaders who do not know Christ that God will work in their hearts so that they may might know what it means to be "rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His Son" (Col. 1:13-14). Pray for those who do know Christ to be encouraged to live as " citizens of heaven" in the midst of the challenges of life in the capitol.
Thank you once again for your prayers and support for our ministry.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
December 9, 2010
Our legislators will once again be gathering in Charleston next week for three days of interim committee meetings. The interims will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 13-15. This gives us a great opportunity to minister to our legislators and elected officials through Bible studies and other contacts.
This month’s studies will be held on Tuesday, December 14 at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon. Our lesson for the Christmas season is entitled “The Gift that Inspires All Gifts”. You can download a copy of our study HERE. Pray for God to work in the hearts of our leaders that they might receive God's indescribable gift.
Pray for us as we continue to plan for the upcoming legislative session which begins January 12, 2011. We praise the Lord as we look forward to seventh year ministering to our elected officials in Charleston and around the state.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
November 12, 2010
The recent election brought about a lot of changes. That is certainly true here in West Virginia. Such transition provides both challenges and opportunities - for the leaders involved and for our ministry in the capitol and around the state. Pray for our leaders and for our ministry as we face these challenges and opportunities in the coming months.
- Pray for Governor Manchin as he makes the transition to the U.S. Senate next week.
- Pray for the transition in the West Virginia Governor’s office. This change will affect us in some practical ways as leaders with whom we have developed strong relationships either move on or transition to different offices. This will impact such things as scheduling conference rooms and having leaders who sponsor and promote our meetings.
- There will be 21 new legislators serving in Charleston beginning in January. Pray as we seek to introduce them to our ministry and that we will have opportunity to serve and minister to them in the coming year. You can find a list of the new legislators HERE.
One thing that has not changed is our ongoing ministry through Bible studies in the capitol. This month's interim Bible studies will be held on Tuesday, November 16. We will be finishing up our series on Psalm 119 with a study entitled “Final Thoughts on Treasuring God’s Word”. You can read or download a copy of our Bible study HERE. Pray that God will work in the hearts of legislators and elected officials to gain a love and affection for God and His Word as we seek to point them to the glory of Jesus Christ and the overwhelming grace of the gospel.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
October 7, 2010
Paul urged the believers in the church at Colossae to pray that "God will open to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ" (Colossians 4:3). Thanks to your prayers, God has continued to open up doors for us to share the gospel in the West Virginia state capitol.
As the legislators gather in Charleston for three days of meetings each month, we take the opportunity to hold Bible studies for them and all the elected officials serving at the statehouse. Our next interim Bible studies will be held on Tuesday, October 12 at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. In order to serve our leaders and perhaps provide better opportunity for them to attend, we provide a breakfast and lunch at the meetings.
Our study, taken from Psalm 119:9 is titled, “How Can Someone in Politics Keep Their Way Pure?” You can read or download a copy of our Bible study HERE. We send out an invitation letter along with the study notes to every legislator and elected official, as well as an email with the notes attached. We also spend time the day before the study distributing the notes in person and visiting with leaders in their offices. We are truly thankful for this open door to share the Word of God in the capitol.
We recently lost a good friend in the capitol as Delegate Mike Porter from Mercer County went home to be with the Lord. Delegate Porter gave clear testimony of being a believer and attended our Bible studies as much as he was able. He was a real encouragement to us and will be greatly missed. (You can find an obituary for Delegate Porter HERE.) Delegate Porter was in CAMC in Charleston for almost a month and I had the privilege of visiting with him several times to read the Bible and pray together. Please continue to pray for his family, especially his wife, Ruth and his sister, Patty.
Thank you once again for your prayers. Please continue to pray that God will open up doors for us to share the gospel with leaders in the capitol and around the state.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
July 20, 2010
Our legislators are currently meeting in Charleston for a special session as well as their monthly interim committee meetings. They are dealing with the important issues of U.S. Senate secession and education. Please pray for them as they continue in these meetings.
As usual, during this time we will be providing Bible studies for the legislators, elected officials, and other leaders serving at the state capitol. Our studies will be held at the West Virginia statehouse on Tuesday, July 20 at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. This month’s study from our ongoing series in Psalm 119 is entitled “Seeking Counsel from God’s Word”. Here is just a brief excerpt form our study:
“When do we need counsel? We may be ignorant of the truth regarding an issue or decision. In this case we need instruction. We may be forgetful of truths we have previously learned. We need to be reminded. We may face difficult trials and circumstances and be tempted to despair and give up. Then we need comfort and encouragement.. At times we may simply be rebellious, knowing God’s truth yet determined to go our own way. If so we need to be warned and rebuked. All this we find when we seek counsel from God’s Word.”
You can read the complete Bible study
here. Our Bible study notes have been distributed in person and by email. Pray for us that God’s Word might “spread rapidly and be glorified” (2 Thes. 3:1) throughout our capitol and among government leaders around the state of West Virginia.
We would certainly pray that our leaders would seek counsel from God’s Word for the various issues they face in state government. However, even more we should pray that they will seek God’s counsel for their lives and eternal destinies. Let each of us realize our need to seek the counsel we can only find from God in His Word.
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia
June 7, 2010
Our legislators will once again be gathering in Charleston next week for three days of interim committee meetings. The interims will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 7-9. As usual we will be seeking to minister to our leaders through Bible studies held at the capitol building during this time.
This month’s studies will be held on Tuesday, June 8 at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon. Our lesson is entitled “A Sure and Changeless Word in a Changing World” based on Psalm 119:89-91. You can download a copy of our study here. There is no place where the message of the unchanging truth of the Word of God is needed more than in our halls of Government.
Please pray our leaders as they travel and take this time away from family and work. Pray for the issues they are discussing as they may well come up in the next legislative session. Pray most of all for God to work in hearts that some will put their faith in Christ and His unchanging Word.
In His Service,
Tim Pauley
State Director, West Virginia