On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, before the break of dawn and full of anticipation, I traveled from my home in Ephrata to 501 North 3rd Street in Harrisburg PA, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. I was joining a group of BFC pastors and elders to the BFC Pastors Day organized by Church Ambassador Network to join their leaders to engage legislators by showing the love of Christ through prayer and care and building relationships. I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car. I walked over a pedestrian bridge which reminded me of my walk on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy because of the inscribed combination and pad locks, rusty and shiny, which were fastened to the pedestrian bridge’s frame by friends and loving couples who were staking their claim.
When the spectacular Capitol’s centerpiece, the dome, came into view, my eyes widened. It was designed by Joseph Huston, a Philadelphia architect, who was inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica and by the Paris Opera House. Huston wanted the Pennsylvania Capitol Building to be a “Palace of Art.”
A “Palace of Art” it is.
When I stepped into the building, I focused on the Moravian tiles in numerous colorful mosaics on the first floor of the Rotunda. Then in awe my head raised to view the grand staircase bookended by two larger-than-life size female sculptures holding illuminated globes. My eyes danced around the eight amazing murals that completely filled the Rotunda’s ceiling.
It was a privilege to take in the beauty of the “Palace of Art.” However, I counted it an even bigger privilege to be guided through the halls of both chambers by Michael Kaucher, Kurt Weaver, Nathaniel Brotzman, and others from The Church Ambassador Network. The men led our group of Bible Fellowship Church pastors and elders through the halls while greeting senators and congressmen and women in passing, some on a first name basis. The greetings weren’t your typical, “Hello. How are you?” They asked, “What’s the feeling on the floor?” The inquiries were very sincere with eye-to-eye connection. The responses were filled with deep concerns about the times we are in. You could read the uncertainty on the legislator’s faces before they spoke. Michael and Kurt, the pastors, and I listened and then immediately laid hands on their shoulders and prayed for these weary civil servants.
We continued through the halls stopping to admire the portraits of past Speakers of the State House Chamber such as Andrew Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, and Frederick Muhlenberg just to name a few.
Next, we went on to our office appointments which were scheduled ahead of time. First, we sat and engaged in a deep discussion with State Representative Peter Schweyer, 22nd House District, representing the Lehigh County. He was frank about his personal story. He said, “I was raised Catholic and over the course of my life I have abandoned all religious faiths.” Schweyer described the challenges of Allentown as a transient city. He described the challenges of the Allentown school district’s endeavors to accommodate the 26 different languages of their student population. Pastor Jason Hoy and Nathan Trommler from Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church in Allentown seized the moment and prayed for him and his staff.
Because of a mandatory ethics training for the Senate and the members of the House, we had to adapt our schedule. Our tour guides were able to re-route us up three flights of marble stairs to the Governor’s Reception Room. When we entered the gorgeous wood paneled spacious room, Kurt gave a short history of the 13 painted murals circling the upper walls which depict “our heritage from William Penn.” A King James Bible verse accompanies each of these murals.
We exited the Governor’s Reception Room and headed to the back of the House Chamber for a brief encounter with Congressman Keith Greiner representing the 43rd Legislative District servicing parts of Lancaster County. He shared a significant prayer story with us. Soon after he was elected there were three murders in his district. The Lord led him to drive around his district and pray earnestly that there would not be any more murders in his district and for seven years there haven’t been. He asked us to pray for continued protection. I prayed for him, his staff, and his constituents as we laid hands on him.
Moving on, we entered State Representative Clint Owlett’s office. He is from the 68th Legislative District. Owlett was in the ethics training so we spoke with his receptionist. Kurt has talked with her often and picked up where he left off in their latest conversation. He then read scripture and prayed for her.
Our tour ended with a tour of the Senate Chamber which is much smaller than the House Chamber. There are only 50 voices in this chamber; the House Chamber has 203.
While there, one congresswoman escorted us into a private caucus room and shared deep concerns. She tried very hard to hold back her tears after hands were laid on her and a powerful prayer was given by Pastor Steve DelDuco from Living Hope BFC in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Michael, Kurt, Nathaniel, and their team stand tall each and every day as they routinely pass through security and pause at the grandeur of the Rotunda. Stepping forward on those Moravian tiles their mantra is, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear.” from Deuteronomy 31:6. They have a heart for those who work in the Capitol which was evident to us during our visit.
After lunch, I proceed down Walnut Street as the Dome disappeared from my sight. I thought, for my first visit and my experience with this group, I may make this an annual commitment. I encourage all Bible Fellowship pastors, elders, deacons and members and friends to consider attending.
article and photo credit to Anthony L. Iezzi, Elder at Ephrata Bible Fellowship Church and professional photographer