Reverend Timothy N. Armstrong
Crossroads Community Church
Mansfield, OH
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Mike Oxley, (R-OH)
Date of Prayer: 07/24/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to welcome one of my constituents as our guest chaplain, Pastor Timothy N . Armstrong of Mansfield, Ohio.
Pastor Armstrong is the founding and senior pastor of Mansfield's Crossroads Community Church. He started this interdenominational, independent evangelical church in a school gymnasium in 1996. With only 30 people in attendance initially, the church
swelled to 200 within a month. Today, after less than 5 years, Crossroads welcomes more than 1,700 people per weekend.
Pastor Armstrong is an inspiration to the Mansfield community, bringing a unique and meaningful preaching style to his congregation. Through practical application of the Bible's truths to everyday living, he reaches out to the unchurched in and around Mansfield in a most effective way.
A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Pastor Armstrong initially pursued a business degree in college, ultimately realizing his calling to the ministry. He and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of twin girls, McKenna Kate and Isabelle Grace.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Father Coughlin for giving Pastor Armstrong the opportunity to open today's session; and on behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank Pastor Armstrong for his spiritual guidance as we begin our work today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Gracious God and Heavenly Father, we come to You this day, conscious of our own shortcomings, but nevertheless with great confidence, knowing that our trust in You is a faith well founded.
You alone understand the difficulties and hardships of these men and women who serve You and our country. You alone understand the weight of responsibilities, both personal and professional, which they must carry. You alone know of the private sacrifices which Your servants have bore in their pursuit of patriotism.
I ask that You bless them. Watch over them and their families. Strengthen them with courage and peace. May they be endowed, above all things, with Your sovereign grace and wisdom.
On this day, at every chair in this Chamber, may there be the whisper of Your wisdom. May these men and women hear Your still small voice and follow Your guidance for the good of all people.
Empower these representatives to be the relentless crusaders for righteousness in the lives of the people of our Nation. For whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, whatever is excellent and praiseworthy, may they be passionate about these things.
We ask this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, for His sake and for His glory alone. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory