August 24, 2010
This is a frenetic time in the California State Capitol. August 31st marks the end of the regular session, which means that all proposed new laws for the year must be voted on within the next seven days. Many hundreds of these bills are still pending, and legislators are in a rush to get through all of them, hopefully by this Friday evening. They then need to come to agreement on a budget and deal with a $19 billion deficit, which is already far behind schedule.
If you want to see what your legislators are up to, you can watch them via live webcast whenever they are on the Floor. Just click on www.calchannel.com and select the Assembly or Senate session link on the top right. I urge you to PRAY for those you see there. I can confirm that God is at work in many of their lives, calling them to yield to Him or to walk closer with Him. Please pray for me also that our Lord continues to open up many doors of ministry to them and their staff.
I am so grateful for your partnership in presenting the Good News to our elected officials!
P.S. If you are on Facebook you can stay even more up to date with what’s going on or share your personal comments about it by joining the Capitol Commission California Group here
July 26, 2010
NEWS: Most of our State Legislators have been in their home districts this month, catching up or resting up before they return to Sacramento on August 2nd to deal with our state’s approximately $20 billion budget deficit. It is a difficult challenge since the two parties have such radically different approaches but must come to agreement.
MEMORIAL: Senator Dave Cox passed away this month after a long illness. I am grateful for the few occasions I had to spend time with him this year, including discussing his faith.
PRAYER: Pray for our Legislators, especially those working primarily on the budget, to have wisdom (to know what to do), humility (to be teachable) and courage (to do what is right). Pray that Senator Cox’s departure leads many to think about things that are eternal and to look up for salvation and strength.
PERSONAL: My family and I are doing well. Valerie is a high school teacher with summers mostly off, so she is enjoying lots of time with our two children. I am speaking and teaching often at various churches throughout California, grateful for the opportunity to expose more people to this important ministry.
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VIDEOS: I recorded two brief videos recently – one that highlights my approach to the Capitol and another that is a casual interview with a Sacramento lobbyist. Click here to watch them. I would love to hear your thoughts in response.
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PS. Click here if you would like to partner with us financially. Together we are taking the Good News of Jesus to our State leaders, who need it so very much!
June 25, 2010
June has been an encouraging month for many reasons:
- The Primary election suggests that some new state Legislators who are strong believers are likely to be elected to office this November.
- A few Legislators have recently expressed a new desire to be more open about their faith and unite with others for fellowship. In a recent meeting, one legislator actually apologized to another for behaving towards him in a way that was politically expedient but not necessarily godly. Another prayed that a spiritual revival would start in the Legislature and spread throughout our state. Imagine that!
- Thursday was the 49th Annual State Prayer Breakfast, with approximately 300 people in attendance. This is a legislator-led event, and a number of those who spoke mentioned how thankful they are for this ministry. They also included a Capitol Commission brochure in the event program and invited all in attendance to meet with Valerie and me afterwards to hear more about this ministry, which many did.
- Funding this month has increased somewhat. I am very grateful for the partnership of so many of you.
- Valerie and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary on June 18th and both our children received generous gifts enabling them to attend a weeklong camp at Hume Lake this summer.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that more legislators are moved by God to seek Him wholeheartedly, gather often with one-another for Christ-centered fellowship, and express their personal faith more publically.
- Pray for Kathy Hilke, a staff member for Senator Sam Aanestad who just found out that she has a serious cancer. Thankfully, she is a strong believer in the Lord.
- Pray for a lobbyist (to remain confidential for now) whose job future is uncertain due to growth in Christ.
- Please pray for me to have faith, strength, and great favor in the Capitol Community so that many will want to listen to His Word and come to know Him better.
May 29, 2010
If I have your street mailing address then you should have received the letter below in your mail last week. It was accompanied by a two-sided Prayer Card with a photo of my family on it (see attached image file). If you did not receive it, we would be honored to have our smiling faces on your refrigerator so that you can remember to pray for our ministry to the State Capitol. Just let me know your street address and I’ll send you one right away. Thank you again so much for your partnership.
Frank
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Dear Friend,
I believe in ministry to political leaders.
In my opinion, our nation’s social structure is gradually and tragically crumbling from the inside. The root cause is not political -- it is spiritual. Americans are increasingly abandoning the Judeo-Christian values that once made our nation strong. As a result, we are seeing widespread moral decline that is affecting every area of our society, including our families, our youth, our educational system, our economy, and our government.
For our nation to be strong we must first have strong churches where the Good News of Jesus Christ is boldly proclaimed and the Word of God is clearly taught and lived out. Those churches can then equip our society’s leaders to honor Him as they carry out their leadership responsibilities. This is why I am serving with Capitol Commission. I, like the other State Directors across this country, am committed to being a missionary of the church to make disciples in my State Capitol. As more of our government leaders are led by God they will be able to make better leadership decisions, and perhaps God will even heal our state and our nation. I believe this may be America’s last hope.
It is often said that as California goes, so goes our nation. This can be bad, but it could also be very good. I am seeing genuine fruit in my ministry in Sacramento, which includes leading weekly Bible studies for legislators, staff members, and lobbyists and also pastoral counseling and prayer with many state leaders. In addition to this, I am speaking in churches and am recruiting 120 church pastors and teams - one from each Legislative District in California - to come alongside me in ministering to their local State Assembly Member or Senator in their district office. I believe that as this happens we may see our state transform from the inside out. As some of our state officials transition to Washington D.C., they will carry a newfound strength in Christ with them. As a result, our whole nation could be changed for the better.
This is a big vision. It is obviously something I cannot do alone. I invite you to join me in doing something great for God in our generation, while there is still time – something that has the potential to really make a difference.
What can you do? There are many needs, including administrative helpers, pastors to team with us, and more. Just contact me if you are interested. To be honest though, our most pressing need is financial. This ministry is funded 100% by contributions and we are currently drastically underfunded at less than half of what is needed. I have been hesitant to say much about this, because I know that times are tight for many. I also would never want anyone to think this ministry is about money. (I am personally disgusted about how some so-called ministries seem to be so.) However, a number of Legislators recently heard about my situation and urged me to let you know about it too. The fact is that there are many unavoidable expenses associated with a work like this and they all add up. This includes printing, traveling, parking, phone, internet, brochures, postage, equipment, and books, in addition to salary. (Feel free to contact me if you would like more detailed financial information.)
I am thus urgently seeking 50 new monthly donors to undergird this ministry. If you are in a position to help (after giving to your local church) or if you are a church leader looking for an opportunity for your congregation to make a difference in our nation, please pray about partnering with us in this strategic way. You may contribute online at www.capitolcom.org or send contributions to Capitol Commission, PO Box 63118, Charlotte, NC 28263-3118. (Please note on the check that it is for California.) If you are not able to do so, or are already giving, please pass this information on to someone else who might be interested.
Also, I am so thankful for your prayers. I really mean that. Please keep them coming. I have had many more unexpected "divine appointments" lately in the Capitol, where I bump into someone and I see God work miraculously in their life as we speak. In one day recently this occurred with a State Senator during an emotion-filled hour-long discussion and prayer time in his office, with a State Assembly Member who suddenly felt a strong calling to speak more openly about his faith, with a Legislator’s Chief of Staff who had biblical questions, and with a Sergeant-at-Arms (Capitol security officer) who I had the joy of leading to Christ. And that was just one day. Rest assured, your prayers are needed and are being answered.
On a personal note, my family is doing well. My wife, Valerie, and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary on June 18th and we are still truly in love. Our daughter Hannah will be entering High School next year, which I can’t believe since I still remember her as a little toddler playing on the floor. Our son Lucas is twelve years old and is going to try football this summer for the first time. He is strong for his age and I think he will enjoy it as long as he can handle running in a helmet and pads in the 100+ degree heat we have in our area. As a family we are very thankful for our many blessings.
Please contact me anytime. I always love to hear from you!
April 20, 2010
It is a busy month at the California State Capitol. Legislators are constantly in committee hearings debating new legislation. Staff members are rushing around trying to keep up with the fast pace. Lobbyists are scrambling to make their voices heard. At the same time, most Legislators’ terms expire this year so they are campaigning for re-election or for a new office. Outside the building, marches against program cuts are frequent, and last week Tea Party participants held their gigantic rally (see photos below).
Please pray that in the midst of this busyness, your elected officials do not forget about honoring God. I am glad that even at a hectic time like this, a number of them still make time for our weekly Bible Study in the Capitol. (You may click here to view one of our recent Bible studies.) I am more convinced than ever that our nations’ greatest problems are spiritual in nature, and that the solution lies in Him.
Please pray for me also that God will give me strength as I carry out the many responsibilities of this ministry, including speaking to churches and groups around the state about what God is up to in the Capitol Community. I am so thankful for your partnership in this work!
Your Missionary to the State Capitol,
Pastor Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
PS – Our new Prayer Cards are completed! If you do not get our US Mail, please let me know your mailing address and I will gladly send you one.
March 21, 2010
Our nation and our state are going through an incredibly difficult time. Government leaders are polarized into two camps with contradictory agendas and seemingly irreconcilable differences. What can we do? We are commanded in the Bible, not to hurl insults, but to PRAY for our political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4, Titus 3:1-2). Now is a good time to be doing that – a lot.
What should we pray for?
Click here if you would like to read an article I have written titled “How to Pray for Political Leaders.” In this article I list five prayer suggestions based on selected Scriptures and my frequent interaction with state leaders. You might want to print this and keep it with your Bible to use as a daily prayer guide.
Thank you for your prayers for us also. All the Capitol Commission State Directors from across the United States came together earlier this month for a pastors’ conference and ministry planning meetings near Los Angeles. They are all great guys, and it was a very encouraging time for us as we exhorted one another to press on. We must each raise 100% of the support needed to continue the work in our respective State Capitols, including all expenses for printing, travel, equipment, phone, internet, etc… It sometimes seems a daunting challenge from a human perspective, but we are each trusting God to provide through those in our state. We so appreciate your partnership.
Below is a photo taken of us all as we toured a Central Valley dairy. It was a good trip for those of us who were still wondering if chocolate milk comes from brown cows. (I’m in the front row, third from the left.)
ONE FINAL POINT OF CLARIFICATION … Many people have contacted me recently and expressed confusion that they continue to receive frequent emails and letters from Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries. Please understand that I no longer have any connection whatsoever to them, nor do the others with Capitol Commission. Also note that Capitol Commission is now the only ministry for Legislators at the California State Capitol. If you wish to unsubscribe from Capitol Ministries mailings, I am told you may do so by clicking the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of their emails or contacting their administrator at craig@capmin.org. Please contact me anytime if you have any questions or would like a tour of the State Capitol!
February 23, 2010
I continue to be encouraged by how the Lord is working through this ministry to California’s leaders in Sacramento.
I lead two Bible studies inside the Capitol each week, and both are going well.
The Legislators’ Bible Study / Fellowship meets every Wednesday morning. A number of Senators and Assembly members attend. It is a diverse group that includes Republicans and Democrats, men and women, self-proclaimed Christ-followers and others who are still investigating Him. We meet in a wood-paneled conference room around a large table (see photo). Our time begins with casual chat about things going on in their lives and work and then progresses into an expository study through the New Testament book of Colossians. (You may always view some of our written Bible studies
online here.) All of us are together, discussing who Jesus is, what he did for us, and how they can serve God better as legislators. We conclude with a time of prayer for the enormous challenges they are sure to face in their work that week. Isn’t it good to know that some of our state leaders are looking up for guidance in this way?!
Please pray that God continues to direct this important time, strengthens those who attend, and brings even more to it.
The Bible Study for Staff Members, Lobbyists, and others meets every Thursday at noon and is also going well. We meet in a beautiful conference room on the first floor of the Capitol, seated around a huge antique table with others seated along the walls of the room. Last week, I had the wonderful privilege of guiding a staff member for a leading Democrat legislator to first-time trust in Jesus Christ! It was so heartwarming to pray with her that God would forgive her sins and come into her life, as tears welled up in her eyes.
Please pray that she grows in her newfound faith.
I also stay busy meeting personally with many legislators and other state leaders. Most are cordial and polite but their level of interest in spiritual things varies greatly. Some respond with thankfulness for this ministry and express a desire to visit the Bible study when their schedule allows. I often have the opportunity to counsel them and pray with them. Many others admit their lack of belief or interest in Christ. In fact, I visited one Assemblyman’s office last week to request an appointment and his entire staff burst out in laughter at the very thought of him discussing God with me! I still requested an appointment with him anyway (I’m still waiting…), and I invited his staff to the Thursday study.
Please pray that the Lord gives me favor with many in the Capitol and the opportunity to share His love and truth with them. I am so grateful for your partnership in this ministry, whether it is through praying, giving, or other involvement. Together we are having a real impact for good on the center of leadership for the 37 million people in our state. I believe this is only the beginning of even greater things the Lord is going to do through all of us in the days ahead.
You have a standing invitation to be my guest at the Capitol anytime. I would love to have you join us at the Staff Bible study, give you a guided tour, introduce you to your legislators, or discuss with you more ways that you can share the love of Christ with your state representatives. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
January 29, 2010
It has been a busy month for me at the California State Capitol as I have started off a new year of ministry to political leaders, their staff, and lobbyists. The transition to Capitol Commission has gone smoothly and the ministry is going well. I am especially encouraged by how my work with legislators (both Assembly Members and Senators) is progressing.
There is one extraordinary development this month that I want to tell you about. For at least ten years, there have been multiple Christian ministries for legislators in the Capitol. These ministries were at odds with each other (to say the least) and this division was widely known. As a result, there has been dissention and a lack of unity and peace among God’s people in the Capitol for a very long time. In response, many believers and unbelievers developed a distaste for any so-called “ministry” in the Capitol. Some felt that it was politically unsafe to identify with any Christian group. It was a tragic situation.
However, this year, things have changed dramatically. Late last year, legislators from these groups asked me if they could join with the Capitol Commission group I lead. I was, of course, happy to agree. As a result, we finally have
one Christ-centered gathering for
all legislators in the Capitol! I believe this is a huge breakthrough, and to be honest just thinking about it stirs my heart to praise God and often brings tears to my eyes.
Rest assured that I am absolutely committed to solidly proclaiming the gospel and teaching carefully through the Word of God in all our meetings, as I have been doing continually without fail. I believe God is using this to touch hearts. (You may
click here to view recent Bible study handouts.)
Now, will you please join me in praying for the many legislators who profess to be Christians or who are interested in learning more about God? Please ask the Lord to give me favor with them as I meet with them in their offices. Pray that more of them will desire to join us at our weekly gatherings and will have the courage to do so. Pray that as they hear the Word they will be touched by his Spirit and will come to faith in Him and grow in maturity. Pray that the Capitol is radically transformed as He changes the lives of our state leaders. I am confident that these are prayers God wants to answer. This is our state, and these are our government representatives, so let’s keep on praying!
P.S. If you have not yet watched the brief videos I’ve posted from the Capitol this year, you may click here to view them now. Thank you for your feedback, encouragement, and support!
January 15, 2010
Please
click here to view a 1-minute video update about my ministry at the State Capitol. Then, you might want to check out this
related news article.
I wish you could have been with me this week as I met with many legislators and saw evidence of the spirit of God moving in fresh ways in their lives. You would have been inspired. Thank you for your prayers and financial support that enable this ministry to them to go forward.
In Christ,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
frank.erb@capitolcom.org
P.S. Please join me in praying for the earthquake victims in Haiti and giving towards the relief effort. There are many excellent relief organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse.
January 9, 2010
I hope you are doing well. My ministry at the California State Capitol is off to a great start this year. Here is a
2-minute video update I recorded for you. Thank you again for your prayers and support!
Blessings,
Frank Erb
Capitol Commission California
frank.erb@capitolcom.org
P.S. Note that you might be prompted to install the Microsoft Silverlight plugin in order to play this video. This will not be necessary for future videos I send.
December 29, 2009
As I approach the end of a year, I like to review my personal finances and consider whether I have given all that the Lord wanted me to give towards His work. Then, I pray about where to direct any remaining funds for His glory. It is exciting to be used by Him in this way!
If you are still reviewing your 2009 giving, would you please pray about an end-of-year contribution to the work of Capitol Commission in California? We are the only Bible teaching ministry for legislators in the state Capitol, and I believe that alone makes this work worth supporting.
Contributions postmarked by Thursday, December 31 will be credited to this year’s giving. You may donate securely online at
www.capitolcom.org/Donate, or send a check or money order made out to
Capitol Commission to:
Capitol Commission
PO Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118(Please write “California” in the memo)
Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your participation in transforming the hearts and minds of our elected officials for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Happy New Year!
California State Director
December 18, 2009
This has been a full and exciting first year of ministry for me in the State Capitol!
I have been in pastoral ministry for over 25 years, but this ministry is different in that it gives me the opportunity to interact with an incredibly diverse group of people. In a typical day at the Capitol, I lead an in-depth Bible study for legislators and another for staff members, lobbyists, and state workers. I then walk the halls and visit each office where I might engage in meaningful conversations about Jesus Christ with a conservative Senator, a liberal Assembly member, a Buddhist legislative assistant, an agnostic chief of staff, and a “gay” lobbyist. Then, on the way to my car, I sometimes stop to speak and pray with one of the many homeless people on the streets. I usually return home very excited about all the Lord did … and also tired!
This year has gone well, but it has had its challenges. The transition from Capitol Ministries to Capitol Commission was emotionally taxing and time consuming. This change was obviously God-directed, however, and is working out well. (By the way, if you are still receiving emails from Capitol Ministries, note that I no longer have any connection with them and you may unsubscribe from them if you wish.) Another major challenge has been regarding funding for this ministry. I am extremely thankful for you who have stood with me this year and so appreciate your ongoing support. If you are not yet regularly partnering with us financially, would you please pray about doing so or sending a special end-of-year contribution now? Every dollar given enables this work to continue.
I look forward to 2010 with eager anticipation. God has enabled me to establish friendships with many elected officials, pastors, and other leaders who value this ministry, and I hope these new relationships will help to move the ministry forward in a great way. I also believe I may be seeing early signs of Him using me to help bring unity among all believing legislators in the Capitol, something that has been sorely lacking for many years and could have a powerful effect for good in our state. Thank you for your prayers for these things.
On a personal note, my family (wife Valerie and children Hannah (14) and Lucas (12)) and I are doing well. I am incredibly thankful for them. We know we have much to be grateful for.
May you have a joyful Christmas season as you reflect on the amazing incarnation of Christ. Please stay in touch. I love getting emails, calls, letters, and visitors!
Warmly,
Frank Erb
California State Director
frank.erb@CapitolCom.org
P.S. If you do not receive my occasional U.S. Mail letters, please let me know your mailing address and I would be happy to add you to my mailing list.
Psalm 119:46
"I will also speak of your testimonies before kings, and shall not be ashamed."
A sunny day in Sacramento
Valerie and I in the Capitol
Speaking to a prayer group in a Capitol hearing room
Guest speaking at a church in Diamond Bar
Addressing a group of visiting university students
With a homeless man across the street from the Capitol
The Capitol Commission State Directors in November at the North Carolina Capitol
Praying for a legislator
November 3, 2009
As I announced in my last email, I along with most others resigned from Capitol Ministries last month. This decision was necessitated by biblical concerns regarding the conduct of the ministry’s president. Please contact me if you would like any more information about this.
I am happy to announce that I have now teamed with sixteen other former Capitol Ministries state directors in launching the new Capitol Commission.
Our affiliation as Capitol Commission will enable us to each continue making disciples in our respective state capitols throughout the United States while joining together for edification, training, support, and credibility. The president of the new Capitol Commission is Jim Young. Jim served with Capitol Ministries for ten years as the state director for North Carolina and as the Regional Director for the eastern United States. He is in his sixty’s with a lifetime of ministry experience and is well respected. He has agreed to humbly serve in this way while continuing his ministry inside the NC Capitol. The Board of Directors for Capitol Commission includes, in addition to Jim Young, John Anderson and George Jackson, both of whom are California residents who formerly served on the Capitol Ministries board, and new members Jim Harmeling, the pastor of Southside Church in Clayton NC, and Dick Harris, an elder at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh NC. Note that Capitol Commission has formed with the blessing of all the former Capitol Ministries board members as well as many pastors and churches who endorsed our ministry in the past.
As for me, I expect my ministry in the California State Capitol to continue stronger than ever. I have spoken recently with a number of state leaders in Sacramento and all have affirmed my work and urged me to continue in it, which I am doing. I look forward to all that the Lord will do in the days ahead, especially when the legislature reconvenes in January.
One of my greatest challenges at this time is to spread the word about this ministry so that those who are interested and able can support it financially. This is something I admittedly did not do very well during my first year in this work, having raised far less than our 2009 goal. I am extremely grateful for all of you who have joined my support team and given so generously. I ask you now to please pray that the Lord abundantly guides and provides for the next year. I am more convinced than ever that this work is vitally important and God-ordained. What a tremendous privilege and opportunity we have in being able to declare the good news of Jesus Christ to each state leader and teach the Word of God inside the Capitol itself! This is an open door that we dare not pass up.
If you or someone you know would like to support this work in Sacramento, Capitol Commission is now able to process tax-deductible contributions. Donations can be made online at www.CapitolCom.org or we can arrange for automatic recurring giving from a credit card or bank account. Checks may be mailed to our national ministry address at:
The Capitol Commission
P.O. Box 63118
Charlotte, NC 28263-3118
(please note “California” in the memo line of checks)
Please feel free to contact me any time. I thank God for each of you!
Rejoicing in Him,
Frank Erb
California State Director
Capitol Commission
frank.erb@CapitolCom.org
Sacramento office:
P.O. Box 13188
Sacramento, CA 95813
916-412-7625