A unique model of church engagement that God began in Iowa just 12 years ago is catching the attention of a nation and now, the world. This model of church and state partnership will eventually be in all 50 states and in nations around the world.
Just this month in the Church Ambassador Network, two senior officials from the United States Department of Human Services joined us in Ames, Iowa, for one of our church-state partnership tours. Iowa has become known for the rapid turnaround of foster care—going from 8,000 children in the state system to 3,200 in just 6 years. The Church is cited as the key ingredient to that success, and U.S. HHS wanted to see it in action.
Also in June, Susan B Anthony’s Her Plan program joined us in Winterset, Iowa, for another church-state partnership tour. Her Plan has been building community wraparound supports across the nation for women and desires to grow in reaching the church, so they came to Iowa where we are known for engaging the Church!
For Others, a Tennessee-based non-profit working to end the national orphan care crisis, also joined us in Iowa to see what God is doing. Just like Her Plan and the Stand Together Foundation, which works to rebuild America’s major urban centers, they came for one thing—the Church. They wanted to grow in engaging the Church. And if you want to learn how to engage the Church, you come to Iowa!
Finally, the icing on the cake for the month of June: Bob and Greg were blessed to host a church leader from Zambia who is eager to bring this unique model of ministry back to his home country. He told us that only the Church can get his nation on the right path and, more specifically, that the African church must be the answer to the problems facing Africans.
Deep down, pastors, non-profit leaders, and government leaders from both parties know that only the Church can bring true transformation. Generic faith-based initiatives won’t work—only the authentic Church of Jesus Christ. That is why government leaders like the governors of California, Oregon, Arizona, and Wisconsin are not only looking more to the faith community generally, but to the Church of Jesus Christ specifically.
The Lord has taught us something special in Iowa. He’s taught us what a proper relationship between the Church and state looks like. He showed us a model rooted in being faithful exiles who speak truth and seek the welfare of our communities, rather than rallying culture warriors. What God has begun in Iowa is truly becoming an INTERNATIONAL model!
We are in a season of favor and, like Joseph in Egypt, we must prepare for what is to come. In our lifetime, we will see Church and state partnership that transforms our communities—all to the glory of Christ!
