Chaplain Phil Crenshaw
Lubbock, TX
Sponsor: Rep. Jodey Arrington, (R-TX)
Date of Prayer: 04/26/2018
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, the Good Book says, "a righteous man's
prayers availeth much."
What a prayer, Mr. Crenshaw; what a man; what a great American.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our guest chaplain and my dear friend, Mr. Phil Crenshaw.
Mr. Crenshaw's life has taken him across the globe, from serving our
country in World War II to spreading the Gospel of Jesus in places like
Norway, Israel, Russia, and India. At every stop on his journey, Mr.
Crenshaw's mission has always been the same: simply to love God and
serve others.
While stationed in Okinawa, he ministered to marines, soldiers, and airmen, as well as over 4,000 Japanese POWs, living out God's
commandment not just to love our neighbors, but to love our enemies as
well.
Over the years, following his return from war, Mr. Crenshaw, along with his late wife, Ruth, to whom he was married for 66 years, opened up their home and their hearts to more than 50 young people who were in
need of a place to stay, some of them orphans.
At 95, Mr. Crenshaw is the last living chaplain's assistant from World War II, and he still lives every day to the fullest, serving our community and serving the Lord with all his body, soul, and strength.
Mr. Crenshaw, your life of personal sacrifice and faithful service to
our country and to the Kingdom of God is an inspiration to all of us. We are all honored to have you here this day.
God bless you, Mr. Crenshaw; God bless the country you fought for and served; and, go, West Texas.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear Holy Father, it is with grateful hearts we begin this day with Thee, the author and finisher of our faith. We come praying for Thy blessing for every man and woman in this assembly representing all the people of our great Nation.
We recognize our inability to exist at our best without Thy supreme wisdom, for Thou hast said: "A contrite heart, O God, Thou will not despise." And because of this, we seek supreme direction in the deliberation and our need for divine petition.
We further recognize our imperfection and beseech Thy forgiveness when unintentional errors in judgment are forthcoming. Grant, dear Father, Thy unhindered blessing to all those assembled at this moment, remembering Thy words: "Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord."
Thank You for loving us and praying that we may in turn love You with grateful, overflowing hearts.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory