The motto of Capitol Ministries is delivering the gospel to every state legislator, in every state capitol, every year. Reaching elected officials and leading them toward maturity in Christ are their primary focuses.
Here in South Carolina, Jeff Lingerfelt is the face of this effort and has been working at the State House longer than I have. Jeff not only holds Bible studies for elected officials, he also holds them for staff and everyone who works in the State House Complex.
In addition to his Bible Studies , every Thursday morning a handful of us meet in the Senate Chapel for a devotion given by local ministers or a few of us elected officials. I still remember the first items on my desk my very first day: a Bible from Capitol Ministries and a memo inviting me to the weekly devotionals – then lead by former Senator Verne Smith.
To print a copy of the 2009 Legislative Prayer Guide, click here.
Jeff is a missionary and his funding comes through the generosity of others: Regular givers, one-time givers, and donors/participants in the annual Golf Tournament.
I encourage each of you to learn more about this ministry and to hopefully support this effort at some level.
“I will also speak of your testimonies before kings, and shall not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:46
Although Jeff is not a member of our community, I did want to share him with you on Nathans News. Jeff was born in Albemarle, NC on September 5, 1961. He is the eldest of four children. In June 1979 he graduated from Ashbrook Senior High School in Gastonia, North Carolina. He then enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as an Interior Communications Electrician and obtained the rank of E-5 in four years. Upon completing his enlisted obligations, Jeff accepted a position as a Senior Field Service Technician with United Technologies-Norden Service Company where he employed his naval training in the area of Combat Systems overhaul and testing. After three and a half years he switched programs where he supervised and administrated the installation of the ASDE-3 (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) Ground Surveillance Radar for the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1992 he resigned his position with United Technologies to complete his undergraduate degree.
In September of 1990 Jeff came to saving faith and placed his trust in Christ alone for salvation. In the fall of 1992 he returned to school at The Master’s College and in 1996 he completed his undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible with an emphasis in Bible Exposition. With a greater desire to fully exposit the Word of God, Jeff knew The Master’s Seminary would greatly equip him to expound and communicate God’s Word in whatever arena the LORD would place him. He graduated from The Master’s Seminary, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in May 2001. During Seminary he was involved in teaching Bible studies. In September of 2001 he met Ralph Drollinger, president of Capitol Ministries and shortly thereafter made a commitment to serve as the ministry leader in South Carolina.
Jeff and his wife Gail have 3 children, Joshua, Nathanael and Rachel LeeAnn. The Lingerfelt’s reside in northeast Columbia. Jeff loves studying the Bible, spending time in the outdoors with his boys, golfing, hunting and fishing.