Today’s society works hard to separate faith and government, but the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net) believes exactly the opposite should be true.

Therefore, for its upcoming “U-Turn” conference, PPN is welcoming Ralph Drollinger, president and founder of Capitol Ministries, whose motto is “delivering the gospel to every political leader, in every capitol, every year.” Since its founding, Capitol Ministries has pursued one vision: to evangelize elected officials and lead them toward maturity in Christ.

Drollinger will join several other speakers for the upcoming PPN conference, titled, “U-Turn: A Roadmap for Renewal—A Conversation with Pastors on Society, Culture and Leadership,” which will equip attendees to “stand in the gap for truth.” The event is set for March 19 at Lancaster Bible College.

“We are honored to welcome Ralph Drollinger to our upcoming ‘U-Turn’ Conference,” said PPN President Sam Rohrer, who is also President of the American Pastors Network (APN,www.AmericanPastorsNetwork.net). “It is vital today to bring together biblical Truth and government policies, especially as our nation—and our world—is in such crisis. Ralph and Capitol Ministries are being very successful in teaching, encouraging, and coming alongside our nation’s political leaders in an effort to equip these Ministers of God in government (Rom. 13) to reflect and communicate a biblical worldview into their everyday decisions. It is our privilege to work with them. ”

In 2014, PPN initiated its own program to unite pastors and politicians through Ministers Together, whose purpose is to create opportunities to build relationships between pastors and elected officials on a biblical rather than political basis. Through Ministers Together events, PPN hopes to bridge the gap between church and state and rebuild the biblical worldview perspective as ordained by God.

PPN believes that those in the pulpit are “Ministers of God,” called by Him to preach the Word and speak truth in the public square. Likewise, those elected to office are not just “politicians” but occupy an equally ordained position as “Ministers of God,” with the clear job description of servants of God and God’s servants to the people.

A third-generation Californian, Drollinger grew up in La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego. He played basketball for legendary Coach John Wooden at UCLA and was the first player to go to four NCAA Final-Four Tournaments. He earned his degree in Ecosystems, and then, some years later, his Masters of Divinity Degree from The Master’s Seminary.

After college, Drollinger turned down several NBA opportunities to play with Athletes in Action, touring the world and preaching the gospel during the halftimes of their games. After four years with Athletes in Action, he played briefly with the Dallas Mavericks. Drollinger has also served in sports ministry as the Director of Sports Outreach America. He and his wife, Danielle, founded Capitol Ministries in 1996. Since then, Capitol Ministries has started dozens of ministries in capitals throughout the United States and, recently, Latin America.

The powerful one-day “U-Turn” conference is open to pastors, leaders and laypeople and is specifically designed to answer questions about society, culture and leadership, with a focus on how cultural trends can be strategically impacted with the truths of God’s Word.

Headlining speakers at the “U-Turn” conference are social science researcher George Barna, founder of the Barna Research Group, and historian David Barton of WallBuilders. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who recently left his Fox News television program for a possible run at the U.S. Presidency in 2016, will record a special video message to be shown at the event.

Other confirmed speakers for PPN’s “U-Turn” conference include: pastor, pilot and author Steve Scheibner; Gary Dull of the American Pastors Network; Sandy Rios of American Family Association and American Family Radio; Paul Blair of Reclaiming America for Christ; Jeff Mateer of the Liberty Institute; Pastor Joseph Green, founder of Antioch Assembly; and Sammy Tippit of Sammy Tippit Ministries.

All sessions will be held on Thursday, March 19, at Lancaster Bible College’s Good Shepherd Chapel from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Early bird tickets are available for $29 through Feb. 25. For more information on the conference or to register, visit www.UTurnConference.org.