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Since 2006, the American Renewal Project has been active in Iowa. Their Pastor and Pew events have educated, encouraged and helped to engage members of the evangelical communities.
Several years ago, ARP began Issachar training for pastors and leaders in the faith community who might consider running for office. These trainings were key in helping the faith community understand that our responsibility in civic involvement is part of our Christian stewardship.
In 2020, when the nation was left stinging over skewed election practices and questionable results, the seeds ARP had long been sowing were sprouting and then blooming in Iowa. Two individuals who had attended ARP events surprised many by winning their districts and helping grow the Republican majority.
Mark Cisneros, a small business owner, won his open seat in eastern Iowa and Pastor Eddie Andrews took out a freshman incumbent in a suburb of Des Moines.
Republicans welcomed Cisneros and Andrews, but both were put to the test early, having to prove themselves in defending the liberties of constituents and upholding their oath to the Constitution.
ARP isn’t about a red wave, it’s about a restoring the winds of righteousness. Electing Exodus 18:21 men and women of integrity, who will discern the times and have the courage to stand, even if that means standing alone. Thankfully, Cisneros and Andrews have another ARP statesman joining them in the 2023 legislative session.
First-time candidate Pastor Brad Sherman had a 6-way primary and still took 55.5% of the vote, collecting more votes in his primary than all the other candidates combined. Brad has offered classes on the Constitution and written articles outlining many of the principles learned through ARP events. When he ran, voters knew they could trust him. He’ll now represent part of the most liberal county in the state. In fact, his win helped turn the largest land mass in that liberal county to Republican representation. A refreshing change.
Pastor Brad Sherman has been active with the American Renewal Project for years. In 2014 both he and Cisneros traveled on one of ARP’s many educational trips bringing history to life. It was a living lesson of how ungodly leaders have brought calamity and godly leaders have corrected the course for their countries throughout time. Those trips are life-changing and there is really nothing that can compare to the impact left on those who are blessed to see such history come to life firsthand.
It’s ARP’s investment in trips like this and trainings for faith leaders and communities in battleground states across the nation that are now paying dividends. As with any success, several other groups are now attempting to copy their plan, but the difference is that ARP isn’t just another political action group that sweeps into a state to justify their existence right before an election.
David and Cindy Lane are authentic in their desire to follow God’s lead. David rarely takes center stage and neither one seeks to be in the limelight. They truly just want to bring God’s light into the dark world of politics. I’ve watched them build relationships and care about the individuals they met whether it was ARP friends, elected officials, pastors they’ve mentored for years or a waitress serving their lunch.
They worked to be God’s hands wherever help was needed, and even more, they’ve waited when they wanted to go because they hadn’t yet confirmed His call. Once again setting them apart from most political groups, who, no matter how well intended, will spend money to simply list activities for donors. The Lanes and the ARP team go where God guides them, trusting Him to provide.
Iowa and several other states are being blessed by the seeds they’ve planted over the last couple of decades. May God continue to establish and bless the work of their hands. {eoa}
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Tamara Scott is an Iowa Republican National Committeewoman.
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