Visit to Washington DC energizes pastors to pray, promote civic activism, voter registration and get-out-the-vote

Last week MFI hosted 32 pastors from across Minnesota at David Barton’s Congressional Pastors Briefing and Capitol Heritage Tour in Washington DC.

Before the tour pastors met with staff of Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Norm Coleman. Klobachar was a last minute no-show. (Pictured on the left is Pastor Bob Battle, Berean Church of God in Christ speaking to Klobuchar staffers. “If you are going to call it a hate crime for me to preach the word of God regarding sin, then you might as well slap the cuffs on me right now. I will not stop!”)

Later, our nations Christian foundation was unavoidable as the pastors toured the paintings in the Capitol Rotunda. According to Barton, the life-size paintings depicted "2 prayer meetings, a bible study and a baptism."* Another painting showed the signers of the Declaration of Independence; 29 of which had seminary degrees.

The second day the pastors met with Christian members of Congress and Senate. Many pastors felt a call to pray for these legislators as they consistenly vote biblically. White House Office of Public Liaison Tim Goeglein, Sen. Sam Brownback, Rep. Randy Forbes and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave especially moved pastors.

The trip was more than just moving; it was a call to action. Many pastors made commitments to participate in get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives, preach sermons on civic involvement and encourage their congregations to be salt and light in their communities.

In the words of the pastors, the trip was “life changing” and “a must for all pastors.”

* Embarkation of the Pilgrims, Baptism of Pocahontas, Discovery of the Mississippi, Landing of Columbus