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Vanguard Prayer Project

A call to pray for local government officials in Vigo County and Terre Haute, IN


The Vanguard is the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force. They fight first and support the success of the entire operation. The Vanguard Prayer Project is an effort to focus on the spiritual battles in our community, to fight first on our knees, in obedience to God’s call to pray for our government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Some are elected. Some are appointed. All have God-given authority (Romans 13:1). 


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Getting Started


  1. Know their names, legal authority, and responsibilities (beginning below).

  2. Pray intentionally, setting aside a few minutes on regular days.

  3. Pray spontaneously, responding to times when these people or their offices come to your mind in the course of the day.

  4. Thank God for them.

  5. Ask God to give them godly wisdom (James 3: 13-18).

  6. Ask God to protect them from spiritual and physical evil. 

  7. Ask God to draw them to himself and fill them with faith for their salvation and/or sanctification.

  8. Ask for them to promote peace and freedom so the Gospel can flourish (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

  9. Use the Psalms/Proverbs to prompt further prayer.

    1. Daily Psalms by calendar date, counting by 30 (examples below)

      1. Month Day 1: 1, 31, 61, 91, 121

      2. Month Day 10: 10, 40, 70, 100, 130

      3. Month Day 27: 27, 57, 87, 117, 147

    2. Daily Proverb by calendar date


Going Deeper


  1. Attend public meetings and pray throughout the meeting.

  2. Introduce yourself to the leaders; tell them you are praying for them generally and ask how you can pray for them specifically.

  3. Send encouraging words via email or regular mail, reminding them that you are praying for them and for the community and thanking them for their service.

  4. Watch and wait for the Lord. When you recognize his providence at work, share that with others.

  5. Encourage others to pray.


“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

~Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)



VIGO COUNTY LEADERSHIP


Vigo County Commissioners 

  • Mike Morris 

  • Chris Switzer

  • Mark Clinkenbeard

Vigo County has three Commissioners who are the administrative arm of County Government. The terms of office for County Commissioners are four (4) years on a staggered basis. The prospective Commissioner must reside in a certain district but elected by a majority vote of the County. Commissioners represent all citizens of Vigo County. The County Commissioners are empowered to set county policy, adopt laws, implement them, and, except for the responsibilities of other elected officials, carry out day-to-day operations of the County.


Vigo County Council

  • Nancy Allsup, District 2

  • Brad Anderson, At Large

  • Steve Ellis, At Large

  • David Thompson, District 1

  • Vicki Weger, District 3

  • Brenda Wilson, At Large

  • Randy Gentry, District 4


The Vigo County Council is comprised of seven members, four elected from districts and three elected at-large. To ensure continuity within the Council, elections for the at-large and district positions are held two years apart.  Members of Council must reside within the county and the district from which they were elected.  Members elected at-large can reside anywhere within the County.


Council Duties:

  • Exclusive power of making appropriations to be paid out of the county treasury.

  • Adoption of the annual budget after receiving estimates submitted by the various county agencies through the county auditor, subject to the modification by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.

  • Incurring county indebtedness within the constitutional limitations.

  • Appropriation of additional funds arising after the budget is adopted.

  • Fixing of salaries of officers, deputies, assistants and employees whose salaries are payable from any county fund, with certain exceptions as provided by the statutes granting the Council.


Vigo County Assessor

  • Kevin Gardner

  • Deana Chrisman, Chief Deputy


In Vigo County, the County Assessor is responsible for maintaining all real and personal property assessments for  the eleven townships that do not have a central office. Those townships are - Fayette, Honey Creek, Linton, Lost Creek, Nevins, Otter Creek, Pierson, Prairie Creek, Prairieton, Riley, and Sugar Creek. The County Assessor does NOT maintain the assessment of Harrison Township which has an office located in the annex building.


Vigo County Auditor

  • Larry Hutchings


The Auditor of Vigo County is responsible for keeping all financial records for the County. 

Duties include:

  • Process payroll for all county employees.

  • Process all County Accounts Payable, including vendor claims.

  • Prepare w-2's & 1099's.

  • Official keeper of minutes, ordinances, contracts and bonds.

  • Administration & Reporting of all County Grants.

  • Calculate property tax rates based on assessed values and budget needs.

  • Process property tax corrections & refunds.

  • Conduct the Bi-Annual County Property Tax Sales, per State Code, on all property that become delinquent by 3 tax payments or more.

  • Process property transfers, parcel splits, combinations & annexations. 


Vigo County Clerk

  • LeAnna Moore


The Clerk of the Vigo Circuit Court, sometimes referred to as the County Clerk, is located on the first floor of the Courthouse. The Clerk is known as the "Keeper of the Records" and as such the Clerk develops, maintains, and stores all court documentation for Circuit, Superior, and Juvenile Courts. The Clerks responsibilities includes collection and disbursement of court costs, fines, judgments, restitution, and various other fees. The Clerk also collects and disburses child support payments, issues marriage licenses and conducts all elections. The Clerk is also the chief election officer in the county, maintaining all voter registration and filings and paperwork for candidates for elected office. 


Vigo County Coroner

  • Travis Norris


Duties include:

  • Identification of the deceased;

  • Determination of the CAUSE of death; and

  • Determination of the MANNER of death.


Vigo County Judges & Magistrates

  • Superior Court #3 Hon. Sarah K. Mullican, Judge Matthew Effner, Magistrate Charles Ray, Magistrate Phillip Adler, Commissioner 

  • Superior Court #1 Hon. Charles D. Johnson, Judge Charles Ray, Magistrate 

  • Superior Court #2 Hon. Lakshmi Reddy, Judge Charles Ray, Magistrate

  • Superior Court #4 Hon. Christopher A. Newton, Judge Charles Ray, Magistrate 

  • Superior Court #5 Hon. Matthew A. Sheehan, Judge Charles Ray, Magistrate 

  • Superior Court #6 Hon. Daniel Kelly, Judge Charles Ray, Magistrate 

  • Terre Haute City Court Hon. Kenneth E. McVey III, Judge 


Judge Duties: In Indiana, Superior Courts are the primary trial courts at the county level and have broad responsibilities. The judges in these courts play a crucial role in administering justice within their communities. 


Magistrate Duties: In Indiana, a Superior Court Magistrate at the county level is a judicial officer appointed by a judge to assist Superior Court judges, particularly in handling a large volume of cases. They focus on specific types of cases, like small claims, child support, or traffic violations, to ease the workload of the elected Superior Court judges


Vigo County Prosecutor

  • Terry Modesitt


The Prosecutor is the county’s prosecuting attorney. The office has divisions in criminal law, child support, and adult protective services. 


Vigo County Recorder

  • Diana Winsted-Smith


In Indiana, a County Recorder's main duty is to maintain permanent public records related to real estate and other legal instruments. These records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and more, are crucial for establishing property ownership and providing legal notice. The Recorder ensures these documents are properly recorded, indexed, and stored, and also provides certified copies when requested. 


Vigo County Sheriff

  • Derek Fell


The Sheriff is the oldest law enforcement office known within the common-law system. This position is the chief of county-wide law enforcement and works collaboratively with city police.


Vigo County Surveyor

  • Bruce Allen


The Surveyor's Office is charged with the duties of measuring, mapping, recording the geography of Vigo County, and maintaining records of Vigo County's legal boundaries. Primarily, the Surveyor's Office serves as a repository for records of governmental boundaries, subdivisions, government benchmarks, and other information. The Surveyor's Office also oversees all section corner conservation throughout the county, supervises construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of all Vigo County legal regulated drains. 


Vigo County Recorder

  • Josie Swalls-Thompson


The Treasurer is the custodian of all money belonging to the county. Duties include:

  • Collection of Property Taxes (Real Estate, Personal and Mobile Home)

  • Collection of Taxes involved in Bankruptcy

  • Collection of Innkeeper Tax

  • Collection of Excise Tax

  • Issuance of Tax Clearance for Alcoholic Beverage Permit

  • Issuance of Mobile Home Permit (Transfer or Moving)

  • Investment of Funds

  • Conduction of Annual Tax Sale

  • Collection of Delinquent Taxes of Public Employees

  • Collection of Delinquent Personal Property Taxes through Judgment

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CITY OF TERRE HAUTE LEADERSHIP

Terre Haute Mayor 

  • Brandon Sackbun


In Indiana, a mayor serves as the city's chief executive, responsible for enforcing laws, managing city operations, and recommending actions to the City Council. The mayor also has powers related to the city budget, appointments, and the overall well-being of the city. 


Terre Haute City Clerk

  • Michelle Edwards


The clerk maintains all records as required by law. The clerk maintains the City Seal and attests and affixes it to documents as required. As soon as a successor is elected and qualified, the clerk delivers to the successor all the records and property of the clerk's office. The clerk administers oaths when necessary in the discharge of the clerk's duties. The clerk takes dispositions. The clerk takes acknowledgement of instruments that are required by statute to be acknowledged. The clerk serves as Clerk of City Court. 


Terre Haute City Council 

  • George Azar, At Large

  • Tammy Boland, At Large

  • Curtis DeBaun IV, At Large

  • District Representatives:

  • District 1: Kandace G. Hinton

  • District 2: Amanda Thompson

  • District 3: Cheryl Loudermilk

  • District 4: Todd Nation (President)

  • District 5: James P. Chalos

  • District 6: Anthony J. Dinkel (Vice President) 


In Indiana, city council members primarily act as the legislative body for the city, focusing on lawmaking, budget approval, and financial oversight. They also appoint members to various boards and commissions. City Council members serve a four-year term with no term limits. 


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VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION LEADERSHIP


Vigo County School Corporation Board of Trustees

  • District 3 (North): Stacy Killion (President)

  • District 5 (South): Rick Burger (Vice President)

  • District 1 (Harrison Township): Christina Crist (Secretary)

  • District 1 (Harrison Township) Amy Lore

  • District 1 (Harrison Township) Carey LaBella

  • District 2 (West): J.D. Skelton

  • District 4 (East): Ken Warner


School Board members are elected to serve a four-year term with no term limits. They govern the school corporation’s finances and policy and have the sole power to hire, fire, and manage the Superintendent. All Vigo County School Board members are elected at large, but must reside in a specific district, similar to County Commissioners. 


Superintendent: Dr. Chris Himsel

The Superintendent is appointed by the School Board and serves on a contract of 1-3 years. He is the CEO of the public schools and directly oversees the daily operations and long term planning of the school corporation. 


 
 
 

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