Bible Studies Held at the White House for First Time in 100 Years: 'These are Godly Individuals'

Aug 04, 2017 07:41 AM EDT

Every week, members of President Trump's Cabinet take part in a Bible study class - earning them the nickname the "most evangelical Cabinet in history", according to CBN.

Regular attendees at the sessions include Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue, and CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

The studies are led by Ralph Drollinger, a former NBA player-turned-pastor. He told CBN News: It's the best Bible study that I've ever taught in my life. They are so teachable; they're so noble; they're so learned."

Vice President Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions also attend when their schedule permits.

"He'll (Jeff Sessions) go out the same day I teach him something and I'll see him do it on camera and I just think, 'Wow, these guys are faithful, available and teachable and they're at Bible study every week they're in town,'" Drollinger said.

According to the report, Trump himself has a standing invitation to attend the sessions and receives a copy of the pastor's teaching every week.

Drollinger, who founded Capitol Ministries, said that the Bible study is groundbreaking, because it's the first to be held for Cabinet members in at least 100 years.

"These are godly individuals that God has risen to a position of prominence in our culture," he said. "I just praise God for them. And I praise God for Mike Pence, who I think with Donald Trump chose great people to lead our nation."

The president won an overwhelming 81 percent of the white evangelical vote in the November election, notes the AP, and a recent Pew Research Center survey marking his first 100 days in office found three-fourths of white evangelicals approved of his performance as president.

Last month, a number of faith leaders gathered around Trump, laying their hands on him and praying for "supernatural wisdom, guidance and protection" during a prayer session at the Oval Office.

Evangelical pastor Rodney Howard-Browne shared a photo of the prayer circle, in which President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence can be seen closing their eyes and bowing their heads.

He captioned the photo: "Yesterday I was asked by Pastor Paula White-Cain to pray over our 45th President - what a humbling moment standing in the Oval Office - laying hands and praying for our President - Supernatural Wisdom, Guidance and Protection - who could ever even imagine - wow - we are going to see another great spiritual awakening."

In a speech delivered at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual conference in June, Trump vowed to "always support our evangelical community and defend your right and the right of all Americans to follow and to live by the teachings of their faith."

"And as you know, we're under siege. We will come out bigger and better and stronger than ever. You fought hard for me and now I'm fighting hard for all of you," Trump said.