Reverend Charlie Martin
Bethel Baptist Church
Vilas, NC
Sponsor: Rep. Virginia Foxx, (R-NC)
Date of Prayer: 05/20/2014
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, Pastor Charlie Martin has preached the Gospel for 45 years.
Charlie Martin attended Trinity College of Florida and continues to serve as vice president of that institution. After college, he began working with youth at his home church in Arkansas.
In 1971, he was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida. The Lord blessed the 37 years he spent there, with the church growing from fewer than 100 to over 6,000 members under his care.
Largo is also where Pastor Martin met Stephanie, his wife of 38 years. Together, they have raised five children––Shannon, Christian, Somer, Samara, and Colt. All five children are grown and happily married, and the Martins delight in their 16 grandchildren.
For the past 7 years, Pastor Martin has led the good people of Bethel Baptist Church in Vilas, North Carolina. We are blessed to have this man of God living and working in our community in the mountains of North Carolina, and I want to thank him for opening the House with a prayer today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Dear Heavenly Father, today, Lord, we enter Your gates with thanksgiving and enter Your courts with praise. Thank You for Your blessings for America, our home. I call on You, O Lord, to bless our land again.
In the Bible, we read, "If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Father, You know that I trust You and Your holy Word. I call on You this morning to place Your great hand upon this Congress and upon this people.
Please grant Your wisdom in their decisions and leadership on behalf of all Americans. For all of us who love this land and call America home, we call on You together today.
In Jesus' name, amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory