When Ellen Ravelin picked up the phone to answer a call from the Intercessors for America (IFA), she could never have imagined the extraordinary path that awaited her. Tapped to serve as the IFA State Leader for Vermont, Ellen—a dynamic pastor at Winooski United Methodist Church—was about to step into a divine calling that would ignite her passion and purpose in ways she never dreamed possible.

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Before her pastoral ministry, Ellen spent an impressive 31 years in Washington, D.C., climbing the ranks in management roles with Border Patrol, CIS, ICE, and DHS, shaping immigration policy with poise and expertise. Retiring in 2019, she returned to her beloved Vermont, a state she cherishes for its breathtaking beauty and tight-knit communities. Yet, as a retired government employee, a proud conservative, and a Methodist pastor in a famously liberal state, Ellen’s unique journey stands as a vibrant testament to the transformative power of faith.

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Then came the call that changed everything. Out of the blue, the Legislative Council for Vermont Senators reached out to Ellen. They had scoured the internet for a pastor to open a Senate session with prayer and stumbled upon her name as the IFA State Leader for Vermont. Even more compelling? Her extensive government background made her the perfect fit. Thrilled yet surprised, Ellen quickly connected with Amy Sabat at IFA for guidance. Amy delivered a powerful prayer card, Praying for Leaders, brimming with inspiring scriptures that felt tailor-made for the moment.

On the big day, Ellen, joined by a handful of fellow intercessors, made the pilgrimage to Montpelier, Vermont’s charming state capital. After a warm meeting with Penny, the Legislative Leader of the Council, Ellen was ushered onto the Senate floor. Introduced by the Lieutenant Governor, she stood before 31 senators, the grandeur of the chamber’s spiral staircase and ornate beauty leaving her in awe. The senators welcomed her with open hearts, and as she delivered her prayer, a sacred hush filled the room. As she exited, one senator’s soft whisper of “Thank you” lingered in the air, a quiet but profound affirmation.

After the ceremony, Penny invited Ellen back to her office and dropped a welcome bombshell: Ellen was welcome to return and pray anytime. Even more astonishing, Penny offered her a dedicated Prayer Room just outside the Senate chamber, complete with a windowed wall facing the leaders—a sacred space for intercession at the heart of Vermont’s government. Twice in a single month, Ellen returned to Montpelier, praying with purpose and conviction.

As a fifth-generation Vermonter, Ellen was overwhelmed by how God orchestrated this miraculous opportunity. She sees the Prayer Room as a divine gift, a place where intercessors can gather to lift up the state’s leaders at the very seat of government. “This wasn’t about anything we did,” Ellen emphasizes with humility. “It was simply an answer to prayer—a supernatural act of God.”

IFA Vermont State Leader Ellen Ravelin’s story is a thrilling reminder of the power of prayer and the unexpected ways God moves. From a chance phone call to a Prayer Room in the state capital, her journey shines as a beacon of hope, calling others to join her in this sacred mission.

What did you think of Ellen’s story? Share your own testimonies of how God has moved in your life and your state below.

(Betsy West is one of IFA’s Regional Field Leaders. Photo Credit: Jonathanking – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21731245)