Perdue commissioned as “missionary” to Trump cabinet

WARNER ROBINS, Ga.—U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was commissioned as a “missionary” to Washington D.C. by Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Ga., July 9

The previous week, Perdue preached at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., and told how he and his wife Mary believe “God spoke” to them and called them “to serve President Trump in his cabinet.” Seven people made professions of faith in Christ following the message, First Baptist told Baptist Press.

Currently a member of Second Baptist where his son Jim Perdue is pastor, Sonny Perdue was a member of First Baptist for eight years while he served as governor of Georgia. He has taught Sunday school at both churches.

Perdue was sworn in as secretary of agriculture April 25.

Jim Perdue said the term “missionary” can be applied to his parents.

“A missionary is someone who … listens when God calls,” Jim Perdue said. “So what we’re doing tonight in this commissioning service is certainly praying for mom and for dad. But we are commissioning two more missionaries out of Second Baptist to Washington D.C., to the cabinet of the president, to the United States Department of Agriculture.”

Jim Perdue added, “When you think of the word ‘missionaries,’ don’t just think of those that carry the Bibles into China or those that take the gospel to the tribes of Africa. But put people like Sonny and Mary Perdue on your prayer list as they serve as missionaries in D.C.”

The previous Sunday, at First Baptist’s Fourth of July service, Sonny Perdue said he was not expecting God’s call to Washington.

“People used to ask me, ‘When are you going to Washington?’ I said, ‘When they move the capital to Bonaire, Ga.,’“ Perdue said. “Nonetheless, God spoke to us again and changed our hearts to go to serve President Trump in his cabinet, and it has been an absolute thrill to get to know the men and women he has appointed.”

Perdue said he meets every Wednesday morning for Bible study with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price as well as other cabinet members.