This month has been one of much learning and developing of skills I do not naturally have.  One of the new things I am learning is to write out complete Bible studies.  This varies greatly from having an outline, and it is particularly difficult for me as I am a more a verbal teacher than a written one.  However, a written study will allow those who cannot attend to participate, thus increasing the outreach of each study.  I have completed two new Bible studies since my last update.

Scandalous Ancestry of Jesus Christ (Jacob)

The American Dream (Joseph)

Our family attended a wedding last weekend in Maryland, and on the way home we stopped by the town of Gettysburg, PA.  We were able to attend church services in a replica Chapel tent complete with a missionary family that provides church services for those in town on Sunday mornings.  We were so blessed and encouraged by this family that is serving Christ in this way.  They are highlighting the work of a little known group who ministered to soldiers on the Civil War battlefields.  During the sermon the minister quoted J.R. Miller, U.S.C.C. delegate, as saying, “There is no more dangerous duty than sharing the Gospel with dying men because the consequences are so great.”  What a great reminder to all who share the Gospel!  We never know when the one we are sharing the Gospel with may pass on to eternity.  I would wholeheartedly recommend the experience for anyone traveling in or near Gettysburg during the summer months.

We are getting close to another momentous election.  There will be many new members in the Indiana state legislature due to a surprising number of delegates resigning or deciding not to run again.  Please continue to pray for each candidate and their families as they campaign.  Remember the challenge I sent out last month?  Are you praying each time you here a campaign commercial?  Pray without ceasing!  Here is the October Prayer Calendar.

Prayer Calendar October 08

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to our annual harvest party at our home.  We view this event as our chance to say “thank you” to each one of you, our prayer partners and tremendous supporters!

Prayer requests:

• Safe travel
• Wisdom for future Bible studies
• Health and strength for my family and I
• Staffers who attend the Friday Bible studies
• Each elected official and their respective families in these uncertain times

Serving Christ,

Matthew

Matthew Barnes
Capitol Ministries Indiana

address P.O. Box 2004
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-2004 

website www.capmin.org

prayer blog www.publicservantsprayer.org

“I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings,
and will not be ashamed” -Psalm 119:46

I am writing with great anticipation regarding continued growth of ministry in the Indiana state capitol. Over the past several years I have been in contact with a few groups that conduct ministry in various capitols across this great country. One such group is Capitol Ministries. There have been times where I have needed advice with a particular issue and I called them and they gave the sound, specific, and biblical advice I needed. As we came to know our respective ministries the Lord drew our hearts to pursue a more official association. I have spent many hours in prayer, fasting, and counsel over this issue and have determined to partner with Capitol Ministries. I have already discovered the blessing of having friends in this unique field of ministry.

Here is a list I have compiled a list of questions that were posed to me while seeking counsel:

1) What is Capitol Ministries? Capitol Ministries was started 12 years ago with the goal of reaching every legislator every year with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is made up of more than 20 men who are currently working in their respective states to reach that goal. They are not political in regards to issues and have a solid biblical foundation on teaching the commands of Christ to all nations. (Matt. 28:18-20)

2) Will you still make day-to-day decisions and allow the Lord to direct the ministry as He has in the past? Yes, I will maintain autonomy in the ministry and continue to be sent out as a missionary and under the authority of my local church. It is my goal to continue to be a help to local churches around the State in relational ministry with elected officials.

3) Why make a change when God is so clearly working through you now? Through the exponential growth of this ministry, I have seen the need for a solid infrastructure under me. Capitol Ministries provides that in many ways including website assistance, contribution management, e-mail and other technical support, national financial accountability, numerous administrative helps, and years of experience in this type of ministry.

4) Will you still have to raise all of your own support? Yes, I will continue to rely on God to “pay the bills” through the Lord leading His people to be a part of this ministry. From churches to individuals, your sacrificial giving has and will continue to directly impact my family’s ministry here in Indiana. The ways to contribute to the ministry have been expanded. If you still would like to write a check, it can be made payable to:

Capitol Ministries 1121 L Street, Suite B-8, Sacramento, California 95814.

Please indicate in the memo that it is for Indiana, and it will go into my separate Indiana account. I will have remit envelopes available soon.

5)Will the name of the ministry here in Indiana change? Yes, the new name will be Capitol Ministries Indiana. However, I will still have the prayer blog - www.publicservantsprayer.org .

If you have further questions or comments please feel free to contact me. Thank you for all of you faithful prayer and support these past four years of ministry. I am looking forward to many more years ahead! I also have a new e-mail address of matthew.barnes@capmin.org. Please allow new mail from this address if you would like to continue to receive the regular updates.

Associated Press

Posted: May 26, 2008

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Shirley Wyss, the wife of state Sen. Tom Wyss of Fort Wayne, has died after a long fight with breast cancer. She was 66.

Wyss (WEESE) died Saturday at her husband’s legislative residence in Indianapolis, where she had undergone treatment at the Indiana University Medical Center. Tom Wyss said his wife had been diagnosed with cancer in 1992 but had been free of the disease for 14 years when it returned two years ago. The couple had been married 43 years. Other survivors include two daughters and four grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Wyss is a Republican who has represented the Fort Wayne area in since 1985.

We just arrived back home this morning around 2:00 a.m. from a ministry trip to California.  We were able to meet with some new friends that minister in state capitols throughout the U.S.  It was so refreshing to be able to share stories and receive encouragement from like minded individuals.

I would also like to thank all of you who visit this website on such a regular basis.  I have mentioned the statistics from this site to many different people, and they are very impressed with the numbers!  To God be the Glory, great things He hath done!