The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Ronald A. Jansen

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Collinsville, IL

Sponsor: Rep. Rep. John Shimkus, (R-IL)
Date of Prayer: 07/18/2002

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

(Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my Pastor, Pastor Ronald Jansen , to the floor of the House to open us up with prayer.

Pastor Jansen grew up on a northwestern Wisconsin dairy farm and has pastored in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, for 35 years. He served in parishes in Winono and Albert Lee, Minnesota, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and currently is at Holy Cross in Collinsville for the past 13 years.

He is married to his wife Becky, a public schoolteacher for 17 years. They are accompanied by his 90–year–old father Victor, and second oldest son and daughter–in–law, Dr. Aaron and Melissa Jansen .

Pastor Jansen is my pastor, and when I think about Pastor Jansen , I think about Ephesians 2:8–10, ‘‘For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created for good works in Christ, who calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice.''

Pastor Jansen preaches from the pulpit law and gospel, which is the hallmark of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

I want to thank Pastor Jansen for calling us to a higher calling this morning.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

O Almighty God, You have given us this good land as a place for us to live and serve You. We ask, Lord, that as You concern Yourself with the busyness of Your universe You would also give Your attention to the business of this place, the House of Representatives. May Your Spirit so guide the members of this chamber that they remember they are representing the people of the United States of America. Bless them also with the knowledge that they govern as Your representatives to the people. Be with the members in their conversation, their deliberations and their votes that they may serve You and be a blessing to the people who dwell in this land. In the Name of our Risen Redeemer. Amen.

To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory