I was back in Washington, D.C. this week for a meaningful and memorable visit, which included a powerful evening of worship with Michael W. Smith.
After arriving on Tuesday afternoon, I spent time visiting several offices in the Rayburn Building. As always, I was warmly received by members of Congress and their staff. During dinner, I had a chance to speak with a member of the House. When I asked how he was doing, he replied, “Exhausted.” It was evident in both his expression and voice. Still, he spoke with hope and determination about his plan to reform Medicare and his desire to share his vision directly with the President.
On Wednesday, I was joined by my friends Kim and Brian Tabor, who had come from Indiana to help with the worship event that evening in the Capitol. We spent the day walking briskly through the Senate office buildings, visiting with staff and Senators. Kim and Brian got to see some of the inner corridors and stairways of the Capitol—places most visitors never experience.
One particularly joyful moment came when I ran into a staffer in the Russell Building who had recently been seeking a new opportunity. He was excited to share that he had accepted a position with the Department of Homeland Security and would be starting in a few weeks. An answer to prayer—and his joy was unmistakable.
The mood on the Hill continues to feel more tense than in previous years. Heightened political rhetoric and increasingly narrow majorities in both chambers make every vote critical. This pressure doesn’t just affect lawmakers—it impacts their staff, Capitol Police, and everyone working in that environment.
While catching up with a Chief of Staff, our conversation turned to his grandchildren. He said he’s teaching them three simple but profound lessons: “Do your work. Tell the truth. Be kind to people.” He plans to give them more advice as they grow, but these three principles are his foundation, and what timeless wisdom they are.
Later that afternoon, we shifted our focus to preparing for the evening of worship with Michael W. Smith in HC-5, a room in the Capitol basement. I made sure the audio setup, keyboard, and lyric projection were ready. Speaker Johnson requested a few moments with Michael and his wife, Debbie, and then we received a similar request from Leader John Thune’s office. I pivoted from production to tour guide, escorting the Smiths through the Capitol, including a visit to the newly installed statue of Billy Graham, particularly meaningful given Michael’s deep connection to him.
In Leader Thune’s office, I was surprised and deeply moved when a Senator I had never met gave me a warm hug and thanked me for the notes of encouragement she had been receiving since arriving on the Hill. Her appreciation was genuine and humbling.
Another Senator texted to ask if he could bring a delegation of parliament members from a Central American country to the worship event. In all, around 15 to 20 members of the House and Senate gathered for a powerful time of worship in HC-5.
Those of you who contribute to Amerson Ministries/The Word on the Hill not only help to make my work on Capitol Hill happen but also helped to make this event with Michael happen. If you would like to support my ongoing work and events like this to help impact the Hill, you can learn more about how to contribute here.
I’m deeply grateful to Michael and Debbie for carving out time from their busy schedule to lead this special evening of encouragement and praise.
I’ll be back on the Hill in a few weeks. The summer months promise to be busy as Congress tackles key issues, including the federal budget.
Please continue to pray for revival on Capitol Hill.
—Steve