View From Above
The view of National Mall from The Speaker’s Balcony. Church United Awakening Tour 2024
Tucked under the majestic dome of the U.S. Capitol is a spectacular balcony with sweeping views of the most powerful district in America: the Capitol Reflecting Pool, National Mall, Smithsonian and the Old Post Office Pavilion clock tower, plus monuments honoring Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield. Stately scrollwork protects balcony visitors from the plaza above the famous Capitol steps, where a rarely united Congress gathered after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil.
Not only is the west‐facing view from the Speaker’s Balcony befitting for the third person in line for the presidency, but it also offers a 30,000‐foot perspective on the significance of our Christian heritage. That is why I considered it a symbolic start to 2024 as Church United Pastors joined me on the Balcony to launch our programming this past February. We were there as part of our annual Awaken Tour, this time held in conjunction with the National Gathering of Prayer and Repentance.
Because of his crammed calendar, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a committed man of God, couldn’t join us but provided access to his spectacular office and balcony.
Other highlights of the tour included a meeting with Polly Jordan, wife of Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan, who gave us a private tour of the Museum of the Bible before we gathered with her husband, a strong advocate for biblical values in government. We also met with two U.S. Senators, including Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who discussed lingering issues resulting from the mandated COVID‐19 vaccines.
Three California Pastors—Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel San Jose, Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, and Art Hodges of South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista — each targeted by the government for their stands in support of religious freedoms amid COVID lockdowns, openly repented on behalf of our nation the issues God placed on their hearts. All three are superb role models of clergy engagement in the culture.
Church United interview with Pastors McClure, Ahn, and Hodges, Museum of the Bible. January 2024
The tour was the first of many significant events in the life of Church United this year. On the legislative front, California state Senator Shannon Grove authored six bills and ALL six were signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom —a rare show of bipartisanship.Three of those bills were Senate Bill 1043, which enacts accountability for children’s mental health treatment, a law supported by socialite Paris Hilton. Senate Bill 1063 deals with students seeking mental health help via QR codes on the back of student identification cards, while Senate Bill 1414 increases penalties for child traffickers. The success of these six bills is a testimony to her steadfast, godly leadership despite the bicameral supermajority enjoyed by Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signing California State Senator Shannon Grove’s bill into law. September 26, 2024.
Senator Grove has been a staunch advocate for faith and parental rights and is a consistent friend to Church United, sharing her insights and inside access with our pastors.
Unfortunately for Californians, Senator Grove has been termed out of her service as a lawmaker, but we are certain she will continue to make her mark. Mike and Shannon both love Jesus and fear the LORD. Please continue to pray for their leadership and hearts’ desire for a national awakening of people coming to know Jesus.
Pastors, we will be in Washington, D.C. February 4‐6 for the next National Gathering of prayer, fasting, and repentance at the Museum of the Bible. If you would like more details, please text or email me.
Finally this year, we unveiled a dual track to increase Church United’s cultural influence. As always, we remain committed to our initial track of empowering and equipping pastors to engage the culture. The new track involves empowering churches through two book projects—the first designed to bring revival among men, and the second to help parents and caregivers equip little minds. Our vision is to recapture the hearts of men and children, both ravaged by the culture.
For the men, I have released my latest book Breaking Sin’s Grasp, Your Temptation Doesn’t Define You. Published by Leadership Books, Breaking Sin’s Grasp shares stories of men who have overcome sinful behaviors such as pornography, unbiblical sexual relations, pre‐marital sex, substance abuse, and even unhealthy sugar addiction. The project includes a study guide and video series. Learn more at JimDomen.com.
As a dad to three, perhaps my favorite new project is the Button Kids book series for young children. The age‐appropriate series is designed to help parents teach God’s plan for boys and girls using an interactive approach to instill solid, biblical, and theological truths. Three books are sold individually or as a set for ages birth‐2, 3‐5, and 6‐8. Get them at ButtonKids.com.
I am blessed to continue building relationships with pastors, elected officials, and donors to further Church United’s impact on California and the nation—one heart at a time.
For the One who came to earth to give His all,
Jim Domen
Church United