Leading the lobbying effort for Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) during the 2009 state legislative session is Executive Director Joe Godfrey, who bridges the gap between the Statehouse and God’s house.
During the 30 legislative days in the session, which began Feb. 3 and is expected to end in mid-May, the leader of the organization that strives to be “Alabama’s moral compass” is responsible for monitoring bills related to gambling, alcohol/drugs and sexual crimes — to name a few.
Last year, ALCAP monitored 116 of the 1,606 bills introduced, and Godfrey anticipates this year will be no different.
“We know there were some bills introduced in 2007 that (failed and) were reintroduced in 2008, and we can rest assured they will be introduced again,” he said.
In order to be ready for such an undertaking, Godfrey spent more than a year as ALCAP’s associate executive director, training under former Executive Director Dan Ireland, before taking the helm in June 2008.
Since then, Godfrey has focused on prayer and networking to prepare himself for his first legislative session as executive director.
“Throughout the year, we’re constantly working to build relationships,” he said. “Dr. Ireland has had those relationships over the years. But when new legislators come in, we have to build new ones. And I’m having to build relationships with all of them.”
Godfrey said he has always had an interest in politics and the process of self-government.
“The Bible teaches us as Christians to be salt and light,” Godfrey said, referencing Matthew 5:13–16. “I realized this was God’s leadership in my life to apply that basic principle of being salt and light on a state level.”
And that is just what he has done.
Whether driving to Huntsville to be with a state representative during heart surgery, sending legislators and their spouses birthday cards or being with the family at the death of a state senator, Godfrey recognizes that his main objective is ministry.
He also tries to make contact with as many churches as possible throughout the year to talk about some of the issues and encourage people to contact their legislators.
“ALCAP is at the Statehouse. We’re on the front lines so to speak,” Godfrey said. But he added, “ALCAP is useless without local people calling legislators.”
Godfrey’s past pastoral experiences have “given him a good grasp” of what it is to lead ALCAP, said Ireland, who will participate in the legislative duties with Godfrey as ALCAP’s director emeritus.
Godfrey previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, in Birmingham Baptist Association; Taylor Road Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association; and Calvary Baptist Church, Abbeville, in Judson Baptist Association. He spent 19 years at Taylor Road Baptist, which gave him the opportunity to meet and work with several lobbyists and Statehouse personnel.
As far as the state Legislature is concerned, Godfrey “has a dedicated interest in what’s happening and he’s really committed to what needs to be done,” Ireland said. “He’s good about meeting people and knowing people. All of it together adds up to the fact that he’ll do real well.”
During this year’s session, Godfrey asks Alabama Baptists to pray for wisdom and boldness.
“Pray that I’ll have the opportunity to share Christ with people at the Statehouse because that’s ultimately what I’m supposed to be there for,” he said.
For more information about ALCAP and the bills Godfrey is monitoring, visit www.alcap.com.
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