Greetings!
Today, January 10, 2022 is opening day at the Arizona Legislature. At 4am this morning I joined a group of Tucson pastors and church leaders on a full to capacity coach bus headed to the Arizona Capitol to participate in a 7am prayer walk led by Center for Arizona Policy and BridgeBuilders International to pray for our leaders.
Tucson’s Fellowship Bible Church pastor, Pat McClanahan, organized this event through the banner “One Cry Tucson.” It was created to inspire pastors and laity to influence our elected officials through prayer and building a bridge of trust and support through personal relationships. This philosophy completely aligns with the 4Tucson Government Domain. We intend to continue to work alongside of One Cry Tucson in future endeavors.
This concept in America of pastors getting involved in the political process goes back to the American Revolution with the famed “Black Robe Regiment.” Clergymen would actively inspire their congregations to fight for freedom and liberty in the Revolutionary War. Though today we do not encourage battle with guns and cannon, we do promote putting on the armor of God to fight the spiritual battle going on in American culture today.
In 2022, 4Tucson’s Biblical Citizenship Committee co-chairs Piet and Mary Van de Mark will continue hosting Biblical Citizenship Classes both in person at local churches and virtually on Zoom. We are planning for renowned educator, Claire Morgan, to not only conduct US Constitution Classes but to teach and equip churches to conduct July4th camps to instruct our children in biblically based civics. We can’t preach the gospel unless we know God’s Word. In the same manner, we cannot promote biblical citizenship unless we understand our biblically inspired founding principles.
The recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that legislation cannot be mixed in with the budget will force our legislature to work together to pass meaningful legislation. In the past, some legislators would hold the budget as hostage unless their pet legislation that couldn’t pass in regular session be included in the budget.
The November 2022 election will be a whole new ball game with the Independent Redistricting Commission giving Arizona new Congressional and Legislative Districts. Many Arizona legislators are terming out or seeking higher office. The time is now for anyone who has not declared their candidacy to get into the race. An often overlooked office is our school district governing boards. It’s time to step up and hear God’s call.
Paul Parisi
Director-Government Domain
520-869-1679
Paul@4Tucson.com
