Reverend Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas
First Presbyterian Church
Columbia, SC
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Wilson, (R-SC)
Date of Prayer: 10/28/2019
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, the Reverend Dr. Derek
William Henry Thomas is the senior pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of Columbia, South Carolina, and the Chancellor's Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.
A native of Wales in the United Kingdom, Dr. Thomas completed his
ministerial training at Reformed Theological Seminary and received his Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter. He served as a pastor for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before returning to the United
States to serve as the minister of teaching at First Presbyterian
Church in Jackson, Mississippi. He was called to his present position in 2013. He has written or edited 25 books becoming editorial director for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the editor of its e–zine, Reformation 21.
He and his wife, Rosemary, have been married for 43 years, have two adult children, and are naturalized citizens of the United States.
The First Presbyterian Church was the first church organized in the
capital of South Carolina and will celebrate its semisestercentennial
next year. It is the largest congregation in the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian Synod with 3,000 members.
The historic First Presbyterian Churchyard was established in 1798
with Federal legislators interred along with Ann Pamela Cunningham who
founded the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association in 1853 saving President
George Washington's home from collapse. Also interred are President
Woodrow Wilson's parents, Reverend Joseph and Jessie Wilson.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Gracious Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your guiding hand upon our Nation for almost 2 1/2 centuries.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Today, I humbly ask that You would bless our Congressional leaders.
Grant them the wisdom of Solomon to address the complex issues of government, ensuring that the legitimate needs of our citizens are faithfully represented. At a moment of tension and division, I ask that Your will might be done, ensuring the preservation of liberty and justice for all.
I especially pray for those who protect our Nation and today may be in harm's way. Set Your angels to guard their every step. I thank You for those who make it their life's ambition to protect the lives of the weak and helpless. May this House ensure that righteousness exalts this Nation.
All this I ask in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory