The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Tom Nelson

Denton Bible Church
Denton, TX

Sponsor: Rep. Hon. Michael Burgess, (R-TX)
Date of Prayer: 10/21/2003

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

(Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, today is a special day for me and a special day for this House to have our deliberations blessed by the Reverend Tom Nelson.

Born in 1950 in Waco, Texas, Tom grew up in a family of four boys. For higher education, he chose the University of North Texas, my alma mater, where he graduated in 1973.

Reverend Nelson received his calling to the Ministry early and entered Dallas Theological Seminary from 1977 to 1982 while he was Associate Pastor at Denton Bible Church. He has been pastoring at Denton Bible Church for 25 years and is presently the Senior Pastor.

Some of his outreach has included being a national speaker for the Fellowship of National Athletes and active leader for Campus Crusade for Christ and the Navigators.

In the past 15 years, Tom has built Denton Bible Church into one of the largest congregations in north Texas. Besides the four Sunday services at Denton Bible Church, Tom disciples 30–plus young men each year. The program includes ministry, evangelism, and service and meets four times a week. Tom also teaches two men's bible studies, one on Tuesdays in Lewisville at Lakeland Baptist Church and one on Wednesdays at Denton Bible Church. At home in Highland Village, I have attended his Tuesday bible study. His messages are powerful and prepare us well to go out into the playing field of life.

He has authored three books, "The Big Picture", "The Book of Romance", and, "The Problem of Life With God", a commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes. He is also the teacher for three video series and his taped messages travel throughout the world.

His wife, Teresa, is his best friend and secretary. Their older son, Benjamin, and his wife Amanda, live in Lewisville, Texas, and have just made them the proud grandparents of a baby boy, Thomas Clark. Their other son, John Clark, played baseball for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and has gone on to play professional baseball with the St. Lewis Cardinals.

I am honored the Reverend Tom Nelson could be with us here today. I know his blessing will make us more respectful in our debates, more careful in our deliberations, and more accountable for our decisions.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Could we pray. Our Father in Heaven, You created us. Your law, the edict of Thy very nature is our protection and our guide. Your benevolence continually sustains us. Your grace hath protected us always in the defense of the weak. Guide now these men and women to steer a clear path and to guide our Nation amidst the obstacles of our day. Grant them discernment to perceive the true, the courage to stand in it, and mercy to administer it to all.

And in so doing, may You be pleased and may You lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us. For Your pleasure is our solitary good and our confidence. May evil be winnowed at this our gate and may the sun of Thy favor rise upon us. For it is in Thy saving name that we pray. Amen.

To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory