Capitol Ministries, Ralph Drollinger
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1485747
26 State Capitol Ministries "T he light shines brightest in the darkness," said Rus Willette, our newly named ministry leader to legis- lators in the state of Maine. e battle to establish a discipleship ministry to legisla- tors is an uphill one as Maine is known for being a strong post-Christian state. Most residents do not believe in God, do not believe that faith is important, and do not believe the Bible is inerrant. Recent studies show that the largest county in Maine is 97 percent un-churched. "When you refer to the Ten Commandments, many people have no ref- erence, and these are the people who are electing our leaders. As Ralph says, to have God-honoring laws, a society needs godly leaders." In addition to those challenges, as has happened with several ministries, Rus' efforts to build a weekly discipleship Bible-study ministry to legislators have been hampered due to widespread COVID-19 meeting restrictions. But Rus is preparing to launch as soon as circumstances change. He has been using his time wisely by making relationships in meet- ings with legislators, members of the faith community, and others who share the vision of taking the Word of God into the Maine State House in weekly Bible studies. Already, sev- eral legislators have offered support. Rus' role as CapMin ministry leader dovetails well with his ongoing work with e Navigators to create ministries where people live, work, worship, and play. He learned about Capitol Ministries aer he sensed a call from God to go to the capitol campus and minister to political leaders. While the soil may be rocky and the environs dark, Rus' holds a deep conviction in his heart that a revival is about to erupt in his state. "We pray that the next awakening will begin in Maine and spread throughout the nation as it never has before," he said. "We are excited about what God will do." MAINE capital: Augusta population: 1.37 million governor: Janet Trafton Mills legislature: 186 members Russ Willette State Director, Maine e Maine State House Augusta, Maine skyline MAINE