What Is HillFaith, Who Is Mark Tapscott And Why Should You Care?

If you work on Capitol Hill, you and I likely have a great deal in common. You love this country and want to make it better. You are passionate about politics, the campaign trail and the legislative process. You worry about the future, of America and of you and your loved ones. You probably grew up somewhere else, most likely out there in "Flyover Country."

It doesn't matter which political party you identify with or where on Capitol Hill you spend your workdays. Your hours are long and odds are good you could be making more money working somewhere else (maybe a whole lot more if you've been on the Hill for a few years).

But you get to rub elbows with many of America's best-known leaders, and your job affords endless opportunities to get good things done, as well as to meet and work with interesting and amazingly smart, skilled people. Money can't buy the satisfaction that can come with that, right? Heartaches can come with it as well, as you probably know, or are learning, by now.

Fact is, for better or worse, the Hill, public policy and politics are your world. Maybe not tomorrow, but for now, most of your friends also work here, including people you socialize with, enter into (and out of!) romantic and "other" relationships, and compete/cooperate with to grab that next rung up the success ladder.

Many of them you like, some of them you can't stand, and a select few of them will probably be your friends for life. You see traits in some of them you admire and in others things that you would never want to characterize you.

But Are You Happy?

You tell yourself and others you are. As happy as you think you should be or want to be or thought you would be by now? Hmmm, odds are your answer is no. I know the feeling.

My first four years here in D.C. were spent on the Hill, initially on the House side as a press secretary and a chief of staff, then as communications director for a senator.

Yes, that's me, a Hill press secretary in 1977. Can you believe the hair? And those sideburns! My gosh, what was I thinking?? Hint: It was the 70s, ok?

It was dazzling, exhilarating even; being young and working with so many smart, powerful, famous men and women, hitting the receptions with the free food, booze and casual hookups, making a difference on important issues, growing in influence, knowledge, skills, position and importance.

Or so I thought.

When I left the Hill for a couple of challenging political appointments in the Reagan administration, there was something not quite right.

I kept telling myself I really was happy, but in my most sober, reflective moments, I knew better because, among much else, the wreckage of my personal life was impossible to miss.

In the years ahead, I "fixed" it with better jobs, a somewhat different but related career, divorce and remarriage, lots of beer, and even fulfilling a childhood dream by becoming a race car driver in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).

I raced a Formula Ford open-wheel, single-seater for three years at Summit Point, and a Mustang GT in the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) at Watkins Glen and Summit Point. Spent a lot of time on Road Atlanta, Moroso Park, Firebird, and Willow Springs, too.

Mark Tapscott in Turn Five at Summit Point Raceway, Middle Atlantic Road Racing Series (MARRS) in 1987.

On the outside, I certainly looked like a success, at least on the track and in the newsroom. On the inside, though, it was a different story.  Eventually, it all came apart and my world was shattered.

Sobriety and humility are wonderful and I've been blessed in the decades since with a wonderful wife, a son and daughter, six grand children, and a renewed career that I absolutely love. I do still miss suiting up, strapping on my helmet and carving apexes at triple-digit-speeds on the track, though!

The new career, as an investigative journalist, has led to many opportunities to shine the light of transparency and accountability in dark places in government and resulted in something I am especially proud of, being voted in as a member of the Freedom of Information Act Hall of Fame.

It was an honor being named Journalist of the Year by CPAC in 2008, too. And I've even been a consulting editor on a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporting series in 2014, Reporter Dave Phillip's outstanding "Other Than Honorable."

Don’t worry, it’ll just be friendly conversation, no judgements, no preaching, just two people talking about how to make it on the Hill and everywhere else.

HillFaith Founder and Editor Mark Tapscott in a teaching moment at a seminar for journalists in January 2020, before the Pandemic.

But far more important than all the scoops and any of the honors, I have been blessed with a deepening awareness of life-changing facts about myself, history, faith, science, people and living through a growing, thriving, incredibly rewarding relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who created all of us and indeed the whole universe. And He is coming back someday.

So Here's "The Ask"

HillFaith's "For Hill Aides Only" (FHAO) is a small gathering of friends and colleagues from both sides of the Hill who meet Mondays at 12:30 to 1:30 for Bible study, fellowship, prayer and conversation.

The FHAO meets in the Faith & Liberty Ministry Center at 109 2nd Street, NE, right behind the Supreme Court in the town house with the Ten Commandments in the front yard.

A recent gathering of HillFaith's "For Hill Aides Only" Monday noon meeeting. (Photo by Mark Tapscott, HillFaith).

No matter where you are on the Jesus issue, come join us for an off-the-record-hour to help launch your week. Lunch is always free, by the way, and we are religious about respecting everybody's time (pun intended!).

Or maybe you'd like a more personal introduction, to see if there are perhaps a few lessons —some practical, some spiritual — I've learned along the way in this town that might help you.

Don't worry, it'll be a friendly conversation, no judgements, no preaching, just two people talking about how to make it on the Hill and elsewhere. I strive to always have a listening ear, a truthful tongue, a caring heart and a helping hand.

We can talk for half an hour (or more, or less, if you like) over coffee. Senate or House side. Tell me what works for you. God bless.

Mark Tapscott is HillFaith's editor, IT jockey, spiritual guide, chief bottle washer and overall Jack-of-All-Trades. Email him at mt.hillfaith@gmail.com


FOX NEWS' BRIT HUME ON HILLFAITH

Fox News' Brit Hume

“I can think of no worthier effort than bringing the light of the Gospel to people working in Congress in these bitterly divided times. Hurray for HillFaith for doing it and may God bless this ministry. ”

Why Not Become A HillFaith PRAYER PARTNER Today!

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16


 

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