Reverend J. Josh Smith
Prince Avenue Baptist Church
Bogart, GA
Sponsor: Rep. Jody Hice, (R-GA)
Date of Prayer: 07/12/2018
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome
Reverend Josh Smith as our guest chaplain here at the U.S. House of
Representatives, and I greatly appreciate his leading us in prayer this morning. He has been serving in ministry for nearly 20 years.
Josh has faithfully dedicated his life to the Gospel and currently
serves as senior pastor of my home church, Prince Avenue Baptist Church in the Athens, Georgia, area.
In addition to earning a bachelor's degree in cross–cultural studies,
a master of divinity, and a doctorate of ministry in expository
preaching, he has worked to spread God's Word on both a national and
international level.
As a pastor myself, it gives me absolute pleasure to recognize Josh for his spiritual leadership and guidance.
I also welcome, today, his wife, Andrea, to the people's House; and
we send our best wishes to their five children, Lily, Gracie, Josie,
Annalee, and Josiah, back home in Georgia.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask everyone to join me in thanking Pastor Smith
for leading us today and opening this session in prayer. It is my deep
privilege to not only be a member of his church, but also be a co–
laborer with him for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his
outstanding spiritual leadership to the Athens community and the world
abroad.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear Father,
We pray this morning the words of Psalm 67: "God be gracious to us and bless us and cause Your face to shine upon us that Your way may be known on the Earth, Your salvation among all nations."
Father, we humbly acknowledge today how much we need You, how we depend on You for everything.
We acknowledge in desperation how much we need Your grace, wisdom, favor, and blessing.
And although You have already blessed us beyond measure, we unashamedly ask You for more of Your blessing, not for our benefit alone, but that through us and through every decision that is made in this place, all people and all nations might come to know Your love, grace, kindness, mercy, and salvation.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who died so that those who trust and follow Him might live forever. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory