Our Story
In the spring of 1995, a team of clergy came together to provide care to state legislators and grieving families who had lost loved ones in the tragic Oklahoma City bombing. Among them was Rev. Chuck Garriott, then Senior Pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church (PCA). In the aftermath of this tragedy, Chuck and the elders at Heritage recognized a profound reality: those serving in government face unique spiritual and personal challenges, and the church is uniquely positioned to offer them the care and support they need.
Motivated by this conviction, Chuck and members of Heritage Presbyterian began a ministry to the Oklahoma state capital, hosting a weekly luncheon Bible study that soon grew to more than 80 regular attendees. After over eight years of faithful service, Chuck stepped down as pastor of Heritage to take this vision further. In 2003, he and his family moved to Washington, D.C., where he established Ministry to State to extend spiritual care to those serving in our federal government.
Politics in America has changed quite a lot since 2003, but the need for the church to provide care for public servants has only increased.
Since its founding, Ministry to State has remained steadfast in its mission: to provide spiritual care, pastoral support, and the hope of the gospel to congressional staff, Members of Congress, state legislators, civic and international leaders as they live out their calling in the public square. Our hope is that as we share the love and care of Christ with them that they will share the love and care of Christ with others.
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In a time when politics in America is increasingly divided, Ministry to State remains non-partisan. We understand that faithful Christians may come from different political parties and hold varying policy positions. Our role is not to influence political outcomes but to provide care and share the gospel with every person we encounter, regardless of background or affiliation.
As a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Ministry to State is deeply connected to the local church. Our vision extends beyond serving government workers; we aim to equip churches and pastors to care for and pray for public servants faithfully. To date, the PCA is the only denomination with an official ministry dedicated to serving those in the public square.
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Since our founding, Ministry to State has grown to provide ministry to government workers in Washington D.C., across multiple state capitols, and around the world. Our goal is to see a ministry presence in every state, offering compassionate care, robust spiritual support, and the life-transforming hope of Christ to those who serve our country.
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Timeline
1995
Rev. Chuck Garriott, with the support of Heritage Presbyterian Church, formed a weekly Bible study for government workers at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The Bible study expanded to include over 80 regular attenders, including the governor. It was through the efforts of this ministry that Ministry to State was eventually formed.
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2012
After nearly a decade of developing ministry in Washington D.C., Ministry to State began to expand and provide ministry to state capitols. That year, Rev. Steve Bostrom launched the first official state capitol ministry in Helena, Montana. MTS has since expanded to a dozen other state capitols and continues to grow this aspect of the ministry.
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2025 and beyond
Ministry to State continues to faithfully serve those who serve in government by providing pastoral support, biblical teaching, and through evangelistic efforts in the Public Square. We are working to grow our ability to serve our political leaders and to expand our ministry presence in Washington and to every state capital in America. Our prayer is that the gospel may transform the lives of our public servants and bless our country through them. Join us.
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2003
Ministry to State was officially launched under the leadership of Chuck Garriott and in partnership with Mission to North America, the domestic missions organization of the Presbyterian Church in America. The Garriott's moved to Washington D.C. to begin ministering to public servants working on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch.
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2020
Ministry to State continued to expand significantly, adding more staff in Washington D.C. and in state capitols. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MTS staff provided a significant support system to our public servants and their staff.
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About Our Founder
Chuck Garriott
Chuck Garriott is the Founder and Executive Director of Ministry to State. Chuck received his Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1979 and was ordained as a PCA minister in 1980 to serve as Assistant Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian in Cherry Hill, NJ. In 1983, Chuck became Pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City where he served for 20 years.
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While serving at Heritage, Chuck provided leadership for the PCA church planting movement in the Oklahoma City area and served on the Southwest Church Planting Network executive committee. Chuck is the author of six book and has had experience preaching and teaching in churches and schools in Central Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Haiti and extensively in South Africa.
Chuck and his wife Debby reside in Washington, D.C. They have four children and seven grandchildren.