Steve Amerson is known as the vocalist behind some of the most influential music in movies, like “Star Wars: Rogue One,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Patriot,” among many others.
But he’s also a voice of hope for Democrats and Republicans in Congress—a quiet source of peace and prayer and a minister to leaders on both sides of the aisle. It’s an effort that began in 2014 as a simple move to bring worship services back to the U.S. Capitol.
“There used to be worship on Sunday mornings in the [U.S.] Capitol from 1800 to 1869,” Amerson says. “Thomas Jefferson would ride his horse from the White House to the Capitol to participate in these services.”
Amerson says these worship events would feature pastors from different churches who came to preach. The church services ceased in 1869, but they returned in 2014, after a 145-year absence.
“In 2014, I was approached by someone who said, ‘Hey we’re going to re-up these services in the Capitol,’” Amerson recalls. He was told they didn’t have a budget but would love for him to come and start leading worship. The singer immediately agreed and began heading to Washington, D.C., twice a month. Not long after, supporters stepped in to help cover the costs of his trips.
Something else was birthed from the incredible effort that continues today: Amerson started directly ministering to members of Congress.
“I typically would fly into Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon, and the service was not until Wednesday night,” he says. “And so I thought, ‘Well, what am I going to do with Wednesday?’”
It didn’t take long for Amerson to come up with a plan. One day, he started walking around the halls of Congress. As he passed doors with familiar names, he started popping in, introducing himself, and leaving business cards.
“I would write a note, ‘I’m praying for you,’ and I’d leave my card in the office,” he says.
Amerson says he jots down a unique, handwritten note to each representative or senator he approaches on his various trips to Washington.
“Each trip, I write 200 notes, and I walk about 10 to 12 miles delivering these notes,” he says. His efforts have opened doors and inspired lives on both sides of the political aisle.
BILLY HALLOWELL, taken from Faithwire.
Appearing in Prayer Connect magazine.
