What's happening with MTS - North Carolina?
As I talk to friends, supporters, and people who are curious about Ministry to State, I seem to receive a number of frequently asked questions. In this month’s newsletter, I thought I might share some of them with you along with some answers:
1. What about MTS makes you t he most excited?
Having the opportunity to bring the word of God to bear upon people – whether they have great influence like politicians, or are essentially powerless – is always a great privilege. I am excited about starting MTS at the capitol because there are Christians there who need solid, biblical, compassionate, pastoral care. And there are unbelievers there who need to know Jesus. The fact that everyone is engaged in North Carolina government, yet there is a diversity of beliefs, ages, degrees of power and influence at the capitol makes for an exciting parish.
2. How often are you making it to the capitol these days?
Given that I am in the support raising phase of this ministry, I typically make it to the capitol 1-2 times per month. I mainly go to pray, observe, and connect with someone in state government who has been introduced to me by someone else. But until the ministry is fully funded, I will not be engaged in “active” ministry at the capitol. My ministry now is to make people and churches aware of MTS and to build a team of prayer and financial supporters.
3. Do you run into any legal problems or official resistance to your ministry?
Not at all. There is nothing prohibiting a minister from connecting with legislators, staffers, government employees, etc. and speaking openly about Christianity. There may be those who aren’t fans of the ministry or of Christianity in general, but there is nothing legally prohibiting a ministry like MTS.
4. What do you envision this ministry looking like when you start visiting the capitol daily?
My first task will be to pray, network, and establish a presence at the capitol. Like a missionary, I need to learn the culture and get to know the people before I can launch into formal ministry. I don’t envision structured events like Bible Studies and lecture forums to begin until I’ve developed some relational capital and trust amongst those in state government.
5. What do you envision this ministry looking like in five years from now?
Who ultimately knows but God? But in five years, I hope to have developed strong relationships and become known as trustworthy and godly influence around the capitol complex. I hope to have multiple Bible Studies going, have started lecture forums, have discipleship relationships, and have developed studies on Christianity and politics for churches.
6. How are you resourced and funded?
Along with every MTS minister, I am entirely supported by the gifts of churches and individuals and families. I am not on the pastoral staff of any church that fully supports the ministry. This enables multiple churches and individuals to each invest in sending out a missionary-minister to reach the government with the gospel.
7. How close are you to being fully resourced?
The past couple months have been great! We’ve had four churches and several individuals/families join our support team which has bounced us up to around 70 percent of our total need of $90,000 annually.
8. What makes MTS different from other ministries to those in government?
MTS sends a seminary-trained, ordained minister, who works under the oversight of a confessional denomination and has the encouragement and resources of a national denomination. We are truly an extension of the church rather than serving as a ministry with no formal connection to it. There are other ministries across the country who do great work and we are glad for the impact God is making through them. But we believe that sending theologically educated, doctrinally sound, set-apart ministers of the gospel to this mission field is our particular calling.
9. How handle your own political views when encountering those on the front lines of politics?
I seek to remember that I’m ministering to a person who is just like anyone else; someone who likely has a family, another job,
pe rsonal responsibilities and concerns, spiritual questions, struggles with sin, and is otherwise seeking to navigate life. My work is always to be about bringing the gospel to bear upon the person, not to influence policy. If a person changes their political position on an issue as a result of God working through their lives, that is simply the byproduct of the ministry; not the focus.
10. What is happening with MTS more broadly?
Within the last couple of months, a new state capitol minister in Florida has joined MTS! That brings the total number of state capitol ministries up to seven (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania). Our Associate Director for State Capitols is working to bring on additional ministers in 2020. We are also working toward bringing on a minister in Canada where one of our PCA church plants has an active ministry to those serving in the Canadian Parliament. Two new staff members have been brought onboard in Washington DC with the intention of reaching interns and younger staffers on Capitol Hill. And work is being done with some of our overseas missionaries to establish ministries in national capitals. God is doing great work through MTS in state, federal, and international governments!
|
|
|
Are you a supporter of MTS - North Carolina?
If you aren’t doing so already, please consider joining my prayer and financial support team! By becoming a prayer and financial supporter, you can take an active role in bringing gospel renewal to those entrusted with great public responsibility in our state.
You can learn how to support me and my work with MTS by clicking here.
|
|
Where am I going? What am I doing?
I've been making my way to see individuals, churches, and presbyteries who are interested in supporting the work of MTS - North Carolina. Here is a look at my upcoming schedule:
December 29 – Preaching at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Burlington
January 4-5 – Missions Conference Speaker and Preaching at First Presbyterian Church, Biloxi, Mississippi
January 19 – Presenting MTS at Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church in Charlotte
February 22 – Presenting MTS at Central Carolina Presbytery (PCA) in Charlotte
|
|
|
Some new prayer requests
 Pray for our family as we prepare for a new baby! We will likely be in need of a new vehicle - likely a mini-van - within the next few months. There is a lot to purchase and budget for at this time. Pray we will do it well.- Pray for Melanie's health as she enters the second trimester of pregnancy.
- Pray that God will provide all of our financial support by the spring!
- Pray that God would continue to keep our family's heart faithful to Christ, passionate about his mission, and eager to serve him at home, at work, at school, and in all of life. We want to enjoy Him above all things, but we are constantly battling the desires of the flesh, temptations from the world, and spiritual attack. Pray that we will rest in Jesus' work for us in the gospel and seek to know to know Him more deeply as we long to make Him known!
|
|
Keep up with MTS - North Carolina
To learn more about MTS North Carolina, check out our website at mts-nc.org and our Facebook page at facebook.com/mtsnc.
|
|
|
Who are my representatives?
 Want to know who represent you in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Senate, or US Congress? Then check out this site from the North Carolina General Assembly. Find your representative and be sure to pray for him/her.
|
|
|
|
|
