The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Brad Hales

Reformation Lutheran Church
Culpeper, VA

Sponsor: Rep. Eric Cantor, (R-VA)
Date of Prayer: 06/18/2013

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Bradley Hales of the Reformation Lutheran Church of Culpeper, Virginia, to the House floor.

For the past 19 years, Pastor Hales has been focusing on the renewal and revitalization of churches for greater growth and involvement in their communities. As the leader of his church in Culpeper, he has overseen the expansion of a congregation that was once only several dozen members strong to over 240 today.

With a great passion and caring for our senior citizens, Pastor Hales was very influential in starting The Place, a gathering center within the church for seniors who wish to meet others and stay involved with their community.

Pastor Hales' civic engagement and enthusiasm for improving the lives of others is not limited to the house of worship. Pastor Hales also serves as a member of the Culpeper Human Services Board and teaches Civil War history at the Culpeper Christian School.

His energy and compassion have a positive effect on so many, the Culpeper Times named him Citizen of the Year in 2012.

Pastor Hales, I'd like to thank you for being with us here today and offering this morning's prayer . Your leadership and willingness to help others is an inspiration to us all.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Lord God, maker of Heaven and Earth, I thank You and praise You for the blessing of this day. I thank You for our country. I thank You for the laws and government which You instituted for order and honor, and I thank you for our active military and veterans who have sacrificed over and over to make us free.

Father, as a Nation, as individuals, and as a government, we must repent and always come back to You for truth, wisdom, forgiveness, and hope. Let us follow Your words from the Prophet Joel: "Return to the Lord Your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love."

I pray all these things in the powerful and the authority–filled name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Amen.

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