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When pastors, local Christians and state lawmakers gathered in March for Prayer at the Ohio Statehouse, Rekindle, an all-female worship team at ���Ĺ���, returned to Columbus for a second year to lead worship.  

Prayer at the Statehouse was held Wednesday, March 11. The worship and prayer service was hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV).

Purpose of Prayer at the Statehouse 

The gathering is designed as an opportunity for Christians to connect with and encourage state lawmakers through worship and prayer. According to its mission statement, the Center for Christian Virtue “seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.” 

Cedarville’s Rekindle returns to lead worship 

“To be invited into the state capitol is both an honor and a responsibility,” said John Chilcote, associate professor of worship at Cedarville. “It’s humbling to be a part of such a unifying moment as government officials go to the Lord in prayer and trust Him as they go about government business.” 

For the team, the invitation into a civic setting is an opportunity not only to represent Cedarville but also to represent Jesus and reflect His selfless servant’s heart. 

Encouraging Ohio lawmakers through worship and prayer 

“As government officials serve and lead our state, I pray they feel encouraged by fellow believers at the Statehouse, as well as by ministries such as the Center for Christian Virtue, the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, ���Ĺ��� and other organizations across the state that are joining them in prayer and support,” said Chilcote. 

Program highlights and keynote speaker 

Prayer at the Statehouse included updates from the CCV team and General Assembly members about issues being debated at the Statehouse, prayer with pastors from around the state and a keynote exhortation from Dr. Jeremy Westbrook, executive director of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.  

Rekindle student leader on worship and prayer 

Aleyna Bass, a senior worship major from Matthews, North Carolina, who has been a member of Rekindle for three years and currently serves as the band’s student leader, emphasized the importance of grounding the team’s ministry work in prayer.  

“You can’t worship apart from communication with the Father,” said Bass. “It’s hard to worship someone that you don’t know.” 

Rekindle’s mission: Proclaiming the gospel 

As the team seeks to know and adore the voice of the Lord, its members desire to remain sensitive to His leading and willing to step out in boldness for the sake of the gospel.  

For Bass and Rekindle, proclaiming the gospel is the ultimate goal. “Music is a wonderful means to worship,” explained Bass, “but it’s not the end goal. Our hope is that those in attendance will leave with a clear image of the gospel — so that worship through praise and obedience to God continues beyond the music.” 

About ���Ĺ��� 

���Ĺ���, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.