Capitol Ministries

22 CM 2019 | State Capitols W hen Ralph Drollinger told ministry leaders at the Washington, D.C. Fall Training Conference that legislative ministries were measured in years and perhaps decades, Scott Parker acutely understood. In his first year of ministry, Pastor Parker welcomed a maximum of three people at his weekly Bible study to mem- bers of the Nevada legislature. On the weeks when no one attended, he waited the full hour and then walked the halls of the Nevada State Capitol praying for legislators and staff as he passed their offices. Nevada presents a number of challenges to the creation of a weekly, sit-down Bible study. It is one of only four states to meet every other year in biennial sessions. Nevada was named the third least churched state on the west coast. e room Pastor Parker was assigned in the capitol for the Bi- ble study could be and was used for other purposes at any time without prior notice. But Pastor Parker is one who overcomes challenges. Born with type 1 diabetes, he is the only person in his family who has not died young from the disease. Later in life he developed debilitating arthritis which has required 23 surgeries. Before retiring, he served for 28 years as the lead pastor at 1,200 member Sparks Christian Church he helped plant in a poor neighborhood that attracts unbelievers, many of whom were struggling with addictions. Under Pastor Parker's leadership, 23 healing and support groups were formed. A campaign to raise $750,000 for a new roof brought in $2 million, with the remainder invested in missionaries around the world and in meeting the needs of people within the church's zip code. And so, he persists. "Yes, I live in the one of the least churched state in the nation," he said. "And I love interacting with people who are not yet connected to Christ." e legislative Bible study continued to meet despite spotty attendance, and Pastor Parker created a separate study for staff. Now that the legislature is out of session until 2021, Pastor Parker is sending via email "An- cient Leadership Principles," conveying the wisdom of the Bible to all legislators, and he is developing a plan to focus on senators who serve longer terms. He is also working to become better acquainted with legislators before the 2021 session gets underway. His objective for his ministry remains the same: "My vi- sion is to help people understand how relevant Jesus Christ is to our lives and the strength and the healing He can provide us for all things that happen in life, that He became like us and He knows our struggles. I want them to come to a rela- tionship with Christ." NEVADA View of Lake Tahoe shoreline capital: Carson City population: 3.1 million governor: Steve Sisolak legislature: 63 members Scott Parker State Director, Nevada Nevada State Capitol

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