The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Dr. Joe Pool

First United Methodist Church
Rockwall, TX

Sponsor: Rep. Ralph Hall, (R-TX)
Date of Prayer: 06/22/2011

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without
objection, the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. HALL) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored
today to again recognize our guest
chaplain, Reverend Dr. Joe C. Pool,
pastor of my home church, my home
town, First United Methodist Church
of Rockwall, Texas.
Reverend Pool�s ministry spans more
than 30 years in north Texas and includes
serving as associate pastor in
Dallas and as pastor in Irving and
Gainesville prior to serving in my
home town of Rockwall.
Reverend Pool earned a bachelor of
arts degree from Southwestern University
in Georgetown, Texas, and earned
both a master of theology degree and a
doctor of ministry degree from Perkins
School of Theology at Southern Methodist
University. He has been a longtime
member of the executive board
and the Mentor Pastor Program at Perkins.
Over the past quarter of a century,
Reverend Pool has led mission trips to
the Appalachian region, Mexico, and
the Navajo Nation. He has been involved
in hurricane recovery and rebuilding
efforts throughout Texas and
Louisiana through Hurricanes Andrew,
Katrina, and Rita. Active in community
service, he was selected as an Outstanding
Young Man of America three
times and also was selected for inclusion
in Who�s Who in America.
Reverend Pool is blessed by his wife,
Becky, and their three children�
Candace, Corey, and Amanda. And
Rockwall is in turn blessed by this
minister and his family. Reverend Pool
is known as a wonderful preacher, a
great teacher, a close friend of mine
and friend of many, and may God continue
to bless his life and his ministry
for many years to come.
I�d be remiss if I didn�t also tell you�
or perhaps warn you�that he and PETE
SESSIONS were roommates at the university.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Loving God, creator of all things, author of all life, and giver of all grace, You have brought us to this time through the blessings of Your hand, and we remember that we do not work alone, serve without Your spirit, or act without Your guidance.

Open Your heart to us as we depend on You for wisdom beyond ourselves, discernment that fulfills the cry of need, and strength for the challenges we face.

May we be about Your work of justice and mercy, security and peace, comfort and provision. Forgive us our shortcomings. Create in us Your will and way. Write these upon our hearts so that we might serve You as we serve Your people.

We invoke the recognition of Your sustaining and guiding presence at today's session and beyond. Accomplish in us the work of Your hands. May we be worthy of all that is entrusted to us this day.

In Your most holy name we pray. Amen.

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