Reverend Dr. John S. Reist , Jr.
Somerset Congregational Church
Somerset, MI
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Nick Smith, (R-MI)
Date of Prayer: 11/07/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce our guest chaplain today, and we certainly welcome today's distinguished guest chaplain, my personal pastor, Reverend John Reist , Junior.
Reverend Reist is a great American and a community leader. He has served as a veteran in the Armed Forces. He now combines his duty at the Somerset Congregational Church with his work as a professor of Christianity and literature at Hillsdale College. He has been recognized as teacher of the year, served as academic dean and is now the executive director of the Michigan Association of Scholars. He holds a Ph.D. degree in English from the University of Chicago and has been widely published.
His warmth, his devotion, his humor and understanding make him an outstanding counselor to his congregants and his students. These qualities have led to a doubling of our congregation in the 3 years since he came to our church.
Reverend Reist is distinguished by his love for his family, his church and his college, and his ability to motivate and cultivate those around him. I am proud to welcome him here today as our guest chaplain.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the Members of this House whom we have elected by Your Providence to do Your work.
We ask that You give Your wisdom to this House as they consider and debate.
We request that You grant to them, and through them, to us, the power to choose the right and the will to do the right, not only for us but for all mankind.
We pray that whether in this House or in far–off mountains and trenches or in the skies or the corridors of power, all of us might eventually and finally rejoice that we in our time and in our place will have made out of this present challenging moment a memorable passage toward Your coming kingdom of righteousness and peace.
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ and for the sake of all humanity. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory