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It's not every politician who keeps the Bible and an Experiencing God devotional book on his desk in the State Capitol. But Dennis K. Baxley is not just a politician. He is a man on a mission.

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives last year to represent District 24, this 48-year-old father of five from Belleview, Florida, feels it's God's plan for him to be in Tallahassee. When Baxley came to the Capital last year, he left behind his elderly parents, his children, six businesses, 65 employees and a godly, supportive spouse named Ginette.

"I'm here for Him," Baxley said, explaining his commitment to honor the Lord. "What I do must glorify and please Him. I see this job as a calling and believe my opportunity to serve here was providentially arranged."

Baxley's Christian faith runs deep. The son of a Southern Baptist preacher, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior when he was seven-years-old, and was baptized by his father. "My conversion experience is as real today as it was at the beginning," he said in a recent interview with Florida Baptist Witness in the House Office Building in Tallahassee. "The decision to trust Christ has made all the difference."

At age 15 Baxley thought God might be calling him into the ministry, but as a preacher's kid he told the Lord he'd do anything but pastor. When Baxley finally surrendered and told the Lord "yes" to whatever he wanted, God opened another door of ministry. That door was in funeral service, an opportunity Baxley describes as "gardening around the gate."

"I learned then that God could use me to minister in other ways," Baxley said. "What the Lord looks for is willingness and readiness."

Over the past several years God has used Baxley's willingness and readiness to place him in a number of leadership positions. In addition to working as Vice President/General Manager/Partner of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Baxley has served as Mayor/Commissioner of Belleview, as president of the Belleview-South Marion Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member for five Ocala civic groups. Now as a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, Baxley's committee assignments include; Colleges and Universities (Vice Chairman), Child and Family Security, Natural Resources & Environmental Protection, House Redistricting, and Education Appropriations.

"I always like to be working on projects that are making a difference," Baxley said. "One of the most gratifying things about being here in Tallahassee is feeling I'm in the center of God's will. It's a joy to discover that He's at work all around in ways I'd never have imagined or expected."

Some of the unexpected discoveries Baxley found when he arrived in Tallahassee included two morning prayer groups and a weekly fellowship dinner. "When I went on mission trips to Cuba and Haiti," Baxley said, "God was there working. He's also at work here in Tallahassee. I came here expecting to find what you hear about- booze, affairs, and deal making. Instead I found some godly people in the midst of some ungodly tough stuff. I've seen people from both parties on both sides of issues willing to reach out to each other."

Baxley experienced that firsthand when his mother passed away during his first week in the Legislature. "There was an outpouring of kindness and support for me," he explained. "I received over 200 cards, and the first phone calls of condolence came from Governor Bush and from two Jewish, Democrat coworkers. Compassion crossed all lines."

Baxley is familiar with line-crossing compassion. He lives it, as either of the youngest Baxleys, now 14 and 11, would tell anyone. Adopted as special needs children at ages eight months and six weeks, these siblings are much missed by their father when he's away. "Being away from my family is the hardest part of this job," Baxley said.

He drives home every weekend to teach a young couples Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Belleview, where he also serves as a deacon. His pastor, Ronnie Walker, said Baxley is one of the kindest, sensitive, most spontaneous people he's ever known.

"Dennis is in touch with people," Walker continued. "It doesn't matter their background, socioeconomic status or political party, he's always willing to jump in and help individuals."

Walker has known Baxley for almost two decades, and counts his friendship a treasure. "Dennis has been a confidant," Walker said. "Growing up in a pastor's home, he understands the stresses of the ministry. He's always been a great encourager to me and he's always ready to get involved."

Getting involved is something Baxley encourages all Christians to do. "We're here in the world to be leaders and influencers," he said. "We're here to influence our culture for the cause of Christ. In all we do, we need to ask ourselves, 'Is this obeying God? Is this God's will?' If it is, all the rest is just details."

Baxley encourages believers to get out of the four walls of the church.

"The battle's out there," he said. "People can get so busy inside a church that they forget that the main event is to go out and confront the world with the Gospel. That happens in lots of ways. To the believer, everything needs to be seen as spiritual, and we must ask ourselves, 'Where are we going to engage?'

"Lets not stay in a private or country club, fortress mentality. Let's get out and be agents of change and be grateful we live in a country where we can still do that."