Akin Honored as Distinguished Christian Statesman

By Jim Day

On Thursday evening, May 10, 2007, Missouri Congressman Todd Akin, 2nd Congressional District, was awarded the 2007 Distinguished Christian Statesman Award by the Dr. D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship located in Washington, D.C.

Past recipients of this award include: Rep. Mike McIntyre (2006), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (2005), Rep. John Hostettler (2004), The Honorable Kay Coles James (2003), Rep. Tom DeLay (2002), Rep. J.C. Watts (2001), Sen. Sam Brownback (2000), House Majority Leader Dick Armey (1999), Sen. Dan Coats (1998), Chief Justice Roy Moore (1997), Sen. John Ashcroft (1996).

Each year the Center for Christian Statesmanship recognizes one outstanding public leader as a Distinguished Christian Statesman. But this is much more than an award. (After all, awards are a dime a dozen in politics!) This is an event designed to announce as loudly as possible to the political community: “Here is the goal—reach for it!”

You might be asking yourself: Just what does a Christian statesman look like? First and foremost, a Christian statesman is a Christian—one who repents of personal sins, believes the Gospel, trusts in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and invites God by His Spirit to dwell in his or her heart. That’s how one becomes a Christian. But there’s more. A true Christian seeks to live a life guided by God’s Word and His Spirit and desires to make his or her days count for the Kingdom of Christ.

What, then, is a statesman? One whose public and private conduct is guided by a bedrock set of principles that will not be compromised for personal or political gain. Such a person rises above mere partisan politics and makes the overall welfare of a nation his or her first priority.

A Christian statesman, therefore, is someone whose commitment to Christ and love of country compel him or her to stand for truth and righteousness in government. Such a person recognizes that individuals (as well as nations) must ultimately give account to God and are dependent on Him for prosperity and success.

Congressman Akin is just such a person.

Congressman Akin

For those unfamiliar with Congressman Akin, Todd is the oldest of four boys and was raised in Concord, Massachusetts, by parents who taught him to respect God and love his country.

As a young engineer just out of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Akin tried living for himself and the good times, but those things were not satisfying. He then decided to conduct an experiment, doing random acts of kindness every day. “That was absolutely transforming in my life. I really started to enjoy living,” he recalls. That decision set him on the road to success—in business, and in finding the love of his life, Lulli.

It was in 1980, as a newlywed and a star salesman with IBM, that Akin felt the Lord calling him to full-time Christian work. Though he wasn’t certain of just what he was being called to do, he understood Christianity well enough to know, “I had given my life to the Lord, and He was the Boss.” Eventually it became clear that public service was the direction he would take—a field where his analytical engineering skills would work in harmony with his seminary degree and sensitivity to people’s needs.

Akin served in the Missouri legislature from 1988 to 2000, working to strengthen laws against gambling and reduce taxes. Now in his fourth term in the United States House of Representatives for Missouri’s Second District, Akin is in his element, serving his constituents and teaching students and interns on the Hill the importance of living their dreams.

Regarding his role in Congress, Akin states, “God has loaned me a hat that says ‘U.S. Congress’ on it. My job is to figure out imaginative ways to use that hat to serve the Lord.” Akin’s passion for studying America’s philosophy of government and early Christian history has helped in that endeavor. His prayer is, “Lord, help us to preserve the wonder of what You created when You put America together in those early days.”

Todd challenges those he comes in contact with on Capitol Hill: “No matter who you are, as long as you are still vertical and taking nourishment, God still has something for you to do today. Have the courage to do it.”

Congratulations Todd

On behalf of the staff of the St. Louis MetroVoice we would like to congratulate Congressman Akin, his wife Lulli and their entire family. May our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, continue to bless you in your service to Him and His people.