Remembering Congressman Todd Akin

Decades ago,  I came to the understanding that God’s calling was not just into church-related ministry, but that God could assign any field of work as a ministry and a platform for living and sharing His truth. Over the years, I had made the acquaintance of many Christians in the field of politics, but only a handful would I have considered to be “Christian politicians” and “Christian statesmen.” Todd Akin was one of those. As his constituent, I began to observe how he handled himself in his office. I inquired as to how he made legislative decisions and the standards he used. I observed his relationships with constituents, his staff, his co-workers, as well as his family and friends. Todd was genuine through and through. 

We became friends through his relationship with The Pillar Foundation and the St. Louis Teen Eagles organization. Todd had spoken or taught dozens of times over the years. (His favorite topic? The Pilgrims-handsdown!) My son met his wife working in the Akin campaign and, actually, is “in-laws-in-law” with the Akin family. Todd and Lulli had homeschooled their children, as we did, and we had the privilege of getting to meet them and work alongside a few of them. Authentic, authentic, authentic! I met Todd’s parents…again authentic. Three generations of the genuine article—loving, honoring, and serving our Heavenly Father; loving and honoring His Word; and loving, honoring and serving others. It doesn’t get more real than that! 

One quick story: a few years ago, while I laid in the hospital ICU recovering from a sudden cardiac arrest, Todd and Lulli and Wynn somehow got permission to bring their guitar and keyboard into my ICU room and play and sing a few songs and hymns. With compassion and joy, they encouraged my heart! Literally encouraged my heart! (“A merry heart is good medicine!” says Proverbs 17:22) I will forever be grateful.

Whether it was in the midst of victory or defeat, good times and hard times, health and infirmity, the character of Christ was revealed in Todd. He loved his family, he loved his church, he loved his friends and neighbors, he loved his work, and he loved his country. In Todd’s life, Jesus’ story of the faithful servant is once again exemplified. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter now into the joy of your Lord.” Todd’s faith is becoming sight! Along with that great cloud of witnesses, Todd has run his race and now, with the others, encourages all of us to lay aside those things that encumber us, and fixing our eyes on our Lord and Savior, run our race as he did, with endurance, with passion, and with joy.

This Bible passage encourages me today. It is reality for Todd and it is hope for us—2 Corinthians 5:1-9:

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” 

Today, Leah and I pray God’s warmest comfort and God’s perfect peace for all of Todd’s family and friends. God bless you all!

W. Todd Akin
1947-2021

Todd Akin was a Christian, a family man, an engineer, a student of American history, and a public servant. He served 12 years in the Missouri House of Representatives and 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Advertisement