Capitol Ministries

47 W hen 89-year-old retired military Colonel and former busi- nessman Tom McDonald came across Capitol Ministries, he thought, 'is is a dynamite idea!'" Tom had long champi- oned the idea that the best way for the church to engage in the political arena is to teach the Bible and make disciples. "e point is, it's vitally important for church members to be positive- ly involved in the political establishment," Tom explains. "How else can we help keep public servants on the straight and narrow and hold them accountable according to Scripture?" As Tom dove deeper into the mission of Capitol Ministries he knew he had been called to bring appropriate studies from the Word to the city leaders. Ready to take action, Tom faced a challenge. He was relatively new to the city of Cumming and didn't know anyone at city hall. So he put together several folders explaining the ministry and visited City Hall, hoping to find the Mayor's office and ask for a short visit. Tom walked into the four-story city hall, planning to start from the bottom and simply familiarize himself with the building and its depart- ments. What he didn't realize was that God was already working behind the scenes. "I pushed the elevator button to go up, and as the doors opened, a man stepped in and said hello. We started chatting. He asked, 'Are you looking for someone?' I said, 'Well, I don't know much about Cumming, but I was hoping to ask the mayor and city council if they'd allow me to present a Bible study.' e man smiled and said, 'Well, I'm the mayor.'" Tom laughs as he remembers the moment: "If that's not a divine ap- pointment, I don't know what is." e mayor was surprisingly open to the idea and gladly accepted the Capitol Ministries folder. Moreover, that very evening, he shared Tom's vision with the city council—and they agreed to participate. "Is that not amazing ?" Tom says. "I went on to teach 52 Bible studies using the CapMin curriculum Oaks in Office to the mayor, the city ad- ministrator, and several council members." Tom does not hide his delight in being able to lead the Bible studies. "I am sincerely grateful to Mayor Troy Brumbalow for supporting this ministry and providing a time and space for us to gather and grow in God's Word," he says. As part of his daily routine, Tom begins each morning by reading the Bible. He has a deep love for God and His Word and makes it a priority to study it every day. Tom also expressed his gratitude to Oaks in Office author Ralph Drollinger for the excellent Bible studies he prepares for local government leaders. "ese studies are an incredible resource," Tom said. "e need for churches to get involved in political matters is something I've always supported. Over the last 60 years, as the church has pulled back its in- fluence, our culture has slipped into decline. e church didn't rise up and say, 'Enough! Let's remember who we are—the nation founded on freedom to pursue individual moral endeavors and faith in the God of the Bible.' It's time for the people of America to get back to God and the values that shaped this country." "e point is, it's vitally important for church members to be positively involved in the political establishment. How else can we help keep public servants on the straight and narrow and hold them accountable according to Scripture?" TOM McDONALD Local Government Ministry Leader Cumming, Georgia

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