The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Larry Phillips

MIdway Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Sponsor: Rep. Howard Coble, (R-NC)
Date of Prayer: 11/14/2013

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) is recognized for 1 minute.

There was no objection.

(Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that you accepted our nomination of Surry County minister and commissioner, Larry Phillips from Mount Airy, to lead the House with the opening prayer . In the short time that I have represented Surry County, I have come to know Larry as an outstanding elected official and a principled and thoughtful person.

Reverend Phillips is currently serving in his 25th year as senior pastor of Midway Baptist Church in Mount Airy, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, holds a master of arts in biblical studies, and is completing his master's of religious education.

Mr. Speaker, it has been said in North Carolina there are more Baptists than there are North Carolinians, and Reverend Phillips and his family belong to that very distinguished group.

Larry Phillips was born in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and has been married to Melinda Gay Johnson Phillips for 36 years and is father to Andrea and Darren, father–in–law to Meagan, and grandfather to Madison and Branson.

Larry Phillips was elected to the Surry County Board of Commissioners in 2012 and serves on the County Commissioners Economic Development Task Force, including the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and Board of Directors.

We are pleased, Mr. Speaker, to have Larry Phillips as our guest chaplain today.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

Almighty God, giver of eternal life, we thank You for this great Republic, a Nation conceived in religious liberty and the free exercise thereof. Today, as generations before us, we seek Your divine hand of providence to guide the affairs of our Nation and those who serve.

Guide our Representatives, we pray, on a path consistent with the original intent of our Constitution. Grant them the strength of character to defend life, liberty, and freedom for future generations. Lead them in the path of righteousness which will exalt this Nation.

As public servants, keep them from the sin of arrogance and self–centered pride by reminding them they are accountable to the people and to You for their decisions.

And I pray each Representative of this House may know that they are greatly loved by You.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I pray this in His name.

Amen.

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