As I write this evening, my thoughts look ahead to my upcoming 79th birthday, while at the same time looking back at the past 79 years. I find myself asking a three -fold question:
- Am I representing Jesus well today?
- How have I had a positive impact on others for Jesus over the years?
- How can I more fully represent Jesus today and my remaining days in order to have the impact he desires on those he places in my path?
I know in my heart that the key to an impactful ministry is to continually abide in Jesus and consistently show his love to others.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
The rhythm of the Leaders of Faith Ministry Year is very helpful and gives me a framework to be available to God on a daily basis. Jesus himself gave us a similar framework in the Great Commission. One interpretation of “Go” can be “As you are going.” As a young man on my way to college, I believe God called me to serve him in the U.S. Coast Guard, both at the Academy and then on to active duty. As my family “was going,” we traveled to 12 different Coast Guard locations around the country over our career. We considered each new locality as an assignment from God. We always either joined or initiated a workplace ministry. This usually consisted of a Bible Study and special events such as an area Prayer Breakfast.
Now in 2026 I have been out of the Coast Guard as long as I served, but we continue to follow Jesus where ever he leads us. With Leaders of Faith, our Ministry Year consists of serving as Legislative Chaplains at the State Legislatures (in my Case Delaware) when they are in Session. In February our focus shifts to the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB) in Washington, DC. I have the privilege in working with the East Coast Service Academies to bring as many as 30 Cadets and Midshipmen to this significant international gathering of 2,500 people who come together in the name and Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth. These young leaders come away amazed at the spiritual impact the NPB has on them.
Throughout the year we help organize and participate in Regional Prayer Breakfasts, regularly meet with Members of Congress and their staffs, and attend the Annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.
Our major event for July or August is the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Legislative Summit. This three-day gathering of State Legislators from all 50 states and a few foreign nations will be held in Chicago this year, July 27-29. On the 2nd day of the Conference Leaders of Faith will host a Prayer Breakfast for the participants. Last year in August, over 9,000 delegates attended the Summit with an overflow crowd attending the Prayer Breakfast. What an amazing opportunity for impact for Jesus!
Ours has always been a ministry of presence. As one of my mentors put it, “We show up and God weaves the cloth!”
Here are two recent written examples of our ministry’s impact on others:
- A young woman who was serving as an intern for a House of Representatives Committee wrote on LinkedIn: “This week I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 74th National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. as a volunteer. For three days, I served alongside hundreds of other volunteers to make the NPB run smoothly, and my key takeaway from the many interactions, speeches, and hours of conversation, is this: prayer can bring us together, but it cannot unify in an absence of mutual convictions. The NPB is described to be ‘not a Christian event, but a Jesus event.’ As a Christian, my only response will then be that prayer is empty if directed into nothing. Jesus is Christ. If Christ is taken away there can be no Jesus…Thank you to Jerry Hale and Rob Fields for connecting me with the NPB! When I interned with the House Committee on Homeland Security last spring, Mr. Hale and Mr. Fields took the time to chat with me as they were leaving a committee hearing. They shared about the opportunity to volunteer with the NPB, and prayed over me there in the Cannon hallway. An unforgettable experience which has blessed me tremendously.”
- A longtime friend with a ministry to professional athletes sent me a letter commenting on our ministry with leaders of Faith: “Jerry—Simply amazing—What has grown over the last 5 years. The breadth of influence and impact God has given you, world-wide. The results of taking a new step of faith when most people are shutting down. The spiritual and discipleship dividends of a lifetime of building into people. Your God-glorifying legacy in so many arenas. It has been a costly and rewarding journey. I praise God for your faithfulness.”
Our ministry with the Delaware General Assembly is continually on my mind. This legislative body ended their 2025/2026 Session at the end of June. On the final day, I was asked by the House Minority Leader to meet with and pray for the entire Minority Caucus. What an incredible way for me to close out the Session!
A contingent of Delaware Legislators, including the Speaker of the House, will be attending the upcoming NCSL Legislative Summit in Chicago. I am looking forward to several of them attending the Prayer Breakfast on July 28! Getting to know them at a setting away from their daily schedules will help me have a greater impact at the Delaware State House when they are back in Session.