Reverend Dr. K. Eric Perrin
Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
Columbia, SC
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Joe Wilson, (R-SC)
Date of Prayer: 09/26/2002
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to welcome Pastor Rick Perrin from the Irmo community of South Carolina as our guest chaplain. Pastor Perrin has been the senior pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church for 11 years. He has been married to Barb Perrin for 30 years, and they have three wonderful sons. Scott Perrin serves with the Secret Service in Georgia; Tim Perrin , who worked for my mentor and predecessor, Floyd Spence; and Chris Perrin , who now works for my colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts).
Pastor Perrin started the Community Roundtable, a group of leaders who have come together to lead and deal with at–risk youth. He also started the Human Relations Committee to promote harmony with racial and demographic changes in the community.
Pastor Perrin is the chairman of the World Reform Fellowship which connects churches and ministry organizations around the world to build partnerships. Pastor Perrin has demonstrated consistent leadership over the years, and I count his family as friends.
It is a great honor for all South Carolinians to have Pastor Perrin perform the prayer today in the United States House of Representatives.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, Father of all who love You, this Nation owes You our liberty. Your truth shaped our law. Generation after generation You delivered us from enemies. For Your goodness, receive our thanks.
Now we confront new terrors. Clouds of war rise on the Middle Eastern horizon. We need Your help. Yet in many ways we have forgotten You. We are confused as to who You are. We have difficulty discerning good from evil in our private lives. We are often unjust in our relationships, corrupt in our commerce, self–interested in our pursuit of the Nation's welfare.
Forgive us, Lord. Turn our hearts to seek You, our minds to know You, our wills to serve You. Guide the men and women of this honorable House. Bless the President of these United States. Aid those who defend us. Save us through Your mercy, by the grace of Christ, our Sovereign. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory