On April 26, Coral Ridge Ministries closed the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship. The organization worked diligently on Capitol Hill to promote greater awareness, understanding, and acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Evangelism Explosion International saw this closing as an exciting opportunity to join forces. “We are thrilled that The Center for Christian Statesmanship will pick up right where it left off, with a few new EE twists,” said Rev. John B. Sorensen, EE Executive Vice President.

The purpose and mission of the original Center was a better organizational and mission fit with Evangelism Explosion. “So this is a perfect fit for us and for them,” John says.

EE has retained Dr. George Roller as Executive Director of The Center to serve in the same capacity as before. “I am so thrilled,” George says. “When it closed we were in the best condition we were ever in. People were coming to Christ, and many others desired to be discipled. I couldn’t be more excited to see it reborn, and I am also grateful to the Lord and grateful to our donors who have given us an income to get this started.”

The Center for Christian Statesmanship has a long-established reputation for excellence in its outreach activities and an extensive network of relationships on Capitol Hill. “George adds a top-flight level of leadership to this organization,” says John enthusiastically. “I’m glad to have him aboard.”

“We have had tremendous impact in so many lives on Capitol Hill,” George says. “It’s well established. And we want to continue that momentum that the Center has built over the past 11 years.”

George explained that the main focus of The Center is to continue the outreach implemented by Coral Ridge Ministries. Outreach activities will include:

Quarterly weekend retreats where Hill staffers learn to share the Gospel. “I want to continue the weekend retreats to teach Hill staffers how to share their faith. Their lives have really been transformed because they have a tool,” George says.

Monthly luncheons where members of Congress share testimonies. “To see these leaders stand up and share their faith in Christ—that’s a strong message to the Hill who want to become future Members. I’m excited to continue this event as a part of our ministry.”

Weekly Bible studies “The Bible studies minister to the people here. After the closing, people were asking us, “What are we going to do without you?” There was an outpouring of shock at our closing, so that was encouraging.”

Outreach to the more than 10,000 interns that come to Washington D.C. each summer. “They descend upon Washington during the summer, and there is no other group reaching them. This city is so filled with temptations, and there are so many potential bad decisions they can make for how they live. We want to provide Christian options for them.”

A new characteristic of the relationship with EE is the involvement of local churches. George will enlist the help of local churches to carry on the ministry. One of the guiding principles of EE has been to utilize local churches to carry on the Great Commission.

“I want to come alongside the churches of D.C. and surrounding areas to teach them the Share Your Faith Workshops, to encourage them to attend clinics, and establish EE in their churches,” George explains.

George realizes that the main goal in all of this is to train up volunteers who feel called to minister on the Hill. “I understand that the desire of the local church is to become a healthy, vibrant, growing church. But I’m also looking toward the local churches to help supply trained volunteers to reach out to Capitol Hill as a mission field.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to continue to bring the Gospel to Capitol Hill,” says John. “My prayer is that we will be able to do all that God has called us to do as we re-establish the Center.”

George refers to it as a marriage made in Heaven. “The Center is about evangelism, discipleship, and, now, strengthening the local churches, just like EE. The church is the bride of Christ and what we’re doing is absolutely biblical. Under the umbrella of EE, we’re going to make Capitol Hill stronger for Christ, and we’re going to make the local church stronger.”

And as the local church views D.C. as a mission field, they will multiply their impact for God’s Kingdom.

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