The ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America, Zeigler has worked in Pennsylvania’s capitol from March 2024 to ensure religious and spiritual guidelines through “prayer, student and evangelization.” (Capital-STAR/VINCT DIFONZO)
Reverend Ron Zeigler has a proposal for legislators from Pennsylvania: Take a moment from your challenging -working day, sit down with him and let him pray for you.
Among the Pennsylvania capitol classes, when the legislator tries to transfer the state budget In time, Zeigler visits the Wing Eastern cafe with a sign that invites everyone who passes to sit and talk to him.
The Reverend has a unique title – the minister of capital – in which he provides pastoral services to the inhabitants of Kapitol – legislators, officials, staff and almost every working in the building. By ensuring a “political free zone” to talk to him, Zeigler says that he is able to make contact with state employees and legislators throughout the entire political spectrum.
“I tell people if I am a lobbyist of any kind, then for Jesus Christ,” he said. “The most important for me is not a republican or democratic program, but the kingdom of Christ.”
The ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America, Zeigler has worked full -time in Capitol from March 2024 to ensure religious and spiritual advice by “Prayer, student and evangelization. “
He works for Ministry to findThe Presbyterian Ministry from Washington, which reaches 10 state capitals And Washington, fully financed with donations.
The founder of Chuck Garriott was inspired to create an organization after the tragedy shook the nation. He was a pastor in Oklahoma City in 1995, when powerful The truck bomb detonated Apart from the federal building of Alfred P. Murrah, killing 167, including 19 children and injuring over 600 others.
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“After this tragedy, Chuck and the Elders [their church] He recognized the deep reality: those who serve in the government, face exceptional spiritual and personal challenges, and the Church has a unique position to offer them the care and support they need “, according to Organization website.
“Motivated by this belief, [they] He began his service to the capital of Oklahoma, organizing a weekly biblical lunch study, which soon increased to over 80 permanent participants, “says the site.
In 2003, Garriott moved to Washington to establish a ministry to the state to recreate his Ministry of the City of Oklahoma in state capitals throughout the country. Maintains its position as Impartial source spiritual tips for officials and selected officials.
Steve Bostrom, a minister in Montana’s capitol, got involved after moving to Helena from North Carolina to establish a church. Soon after, he began to serve state legislators, which led to a full -time job.
Bostrom sees a precedent for the Ministry of the State Mission in the Bible, pointing to the missionary work of the Apostle Paul, who “went to many capitals in his travels.”
“He was strategic, tried to reach leadership,” he said.
Zeigler, a former public school teacher who became a clergyman, said that he was initially intimidated when the Ministry of State Director State Capitols, Thomas Eddy, was offered to him by the Ministry of Harrisburg
“I’m just an ordinary guy. I pastorize small churches and not so many people know me outside my smaller circles,” said Zeigler. “They are some significant people who work here in many ways. I was a bit intimidated.”
Zeigler initially told Eddy that he did not think he was right, but “”[Eddy] He was really convinced that this service was for me – he said.
He told Eddy that “God gave me the main gift is that I see people.” Eddy answered with the question: What is a group of people in American culture “Most people would prefer not to see and not think well?” Eddy’s answer: Civil government leader.
“You are exactly the person we need here,” Eddy told him.
In his role, Zeigler is made available for discussion or prayer with “anyone who could use someone” to build personal, long -term connections.
“I am here to see how people are not eaten, working here, this is a difficult place,” he said. “I pray that they would be able to be faithful to their oath and just encourage them.”
From “long theological conversations” to ordinary listening to people talking about what their problem said that his conversations may differ in the subject.
“If there is something I can do, I can pray and I can simply be available. And it started there,” he said.
During one particularly busy day of the session in the Capitol, Zeigler welcomed the guardian in the corridor: “I just said:” Hi, how are you? ” She said: “I feel quite ill, but today everything is on board.”
He asked if he could pray with her. She agreed.
“I prayed that she could survive the day and that maybe when everything would calm down, that she could go early,” he said. “When I finished, she was in tears, she reached out and just hugged me.”
As an ordained Minister Zeigler, he conducts his conversations in confidence, which he compared with the confidentiality of a priest or lawyer.
“The most satisfying parts of my ministry in Capitol talk to people about what is important to them and pray with them and for them,” said Zeigler. “Just taking care of them as people is very satisfying.”
Although Zeigler is a presbytery, he is working on joining people with various religious beliefs. He says he is not present in Harrisburg to convert, but to the minister, although he is not shy when he is asked.
“I am here as a Christian minister, but I don’t press anyone,” he said. “I make sure that it is clear that I am here to talk about what is important to you. If you want to hear what I think about something, I am glad that I can tell you, and I am glad that I never press and say:” I have to believe in what I believe. ”
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