ALCAP’s Ireland ‘God’s lobbyist’ in Alabama Legislature

When Howard Sanderford is in Huntsville, he is a regular at the Wednesday night fellowship supper and prayer meeting at First Baptist Church, where he and his wife, Dot, are members.
   
But there are times when Sanderford, R-Huntsville, misses the meals while he is in Montgomery because of his commitment as a state representative. Because of that, legislative prayer breakfasts hosted by Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) are especially meaningful to Sanderford.
   
“It’s important to have that spiritual refresher in the middle of the week,” said Sanderford.
   
Prayer breakfasts are one way ALCAP is ministering to legislators, according to Dan Ireland, executive director of ALCAP. But Ireland said efforts go beyond the breakfasts, with the ALCAP director assigning the legislators prayer partners from their districts, visiting with them regularly, praying with them and working to meet their spiritual needs in whatever way he can.
   
“They need a spiritual presence in the middle of the turmoil of the legislative process,” Ireland said.
Some 40–50 legislators attend the prayer breakfasts, according to Ireland, which are held each Wednesday the Legislature is in session. Along with the meal, preachers from different denominations usually present a short sermon. Sometimes the speaker is a Christian sharing his or her testimony or a brief devotional thought.
   
While the state Legislature does not have an official chaplain, Ireland said the work he does pretty much places him in that position.
   
“I’m more or less looked at as a spiritual leader with the legislators,” he said. “If there’s any concept of chaplain around here, I’m it.”
   
Ireland’s importance to legislators and the work they do is echoed by Sanderford. “He’s known as the moral conscience of the Legislature,” Sanderford said.
   
Along with meeting legislators’ spiritual needs, Sanderford said Ireland also keeps them informed about the moral impact of the bills on which they vote. The legislator said it is important to have someone point out bills that might promote immoral activities.
   
“You need somebody to tell you, ‘these are the good ones (bills) and these are the good ones,’” Sanderford said. “And he certainly does that.”
   
Sanderford’s endorsement of Ireland is supported by fellow legislator Arthur Payne, R-Center Point.
   
“Most of the legislators look on Dan as God’s lobbyist,” said Payne, a member of First Baptist Church, Trussville. “Dan has tried to lead us in the direction of God’s will in the passage of bills.”
   
Payne described Ireland as someone who is always supporting and encouraging legislators.
   
And Sanderford said conservative legislators can expect a visit from Ireland if they vote for a bill the ALCAP leader believes is immoral. “He’ll have a little session with you,” Sanderford said.
   
But Ireland’s visits with legislators are not always about business. He also strives to minister to them by keeping up with what is happening in their lives.
   
Ireland said he attempts to keep in touch, especially with legislators who are facing difficult times because of illness or family problems. Along with that, he visits legislators and their family members when they are hospitalized and attends funerals when his schedule allows.
   
“He always attends to our spiritual needs,” Payne said.
   
The ministry is one Ireland said he has been involved with since 1979. During those 22 years, he has witnessed the fruits of his labor in many ways.
   
Along with ministering to representatives who are already Christians, Ireland has a sense of accomplishment in the knowledge he is furthering the kingdom of God.
   
Ireland said he has been successful in leading four legislators to the Lord.
   
Payne praised Ireland for his dedication in meeting legislators’ needs and those of government employees working in Montgomery.
   
“It’s like his pastorate is the Legislature and government officials,” Payne said.