Reverend Carlton Gerrell
Tennessee Valley Community Church
Paris, TN
Sponsor: Rep. David Kustoff, (R-TN)
Date of Prayer: 06/11/2026
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Carlton Gerrell of Tennessee Valley Community Church in Paris, Tennessee, as our guest chaplain.
Pastor Gerrell has dedicated his life to ministry in the church and through public service.
Mr. Speaker, under Pastor Gerrell's leadership, TVCC, the Tennessee Valley Community Church, has become one of the largest congregations in rural West Tennessee.
Pastor Gerrell also served on the Paris City Commission from 2010 to 2022. During that time, he spent 8 years as mayor, working to strengthen the city that he calls home.
He and his wife, Dr. Norma Gerrell, have built a life in Paris and are the proud parents of two sons, Trey and Scott.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Pastor Gerrell's service to the ministry and to the community in Henry County. I thank him for offering the opening prayer before the people's House.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Our dearest and most gracious Heavenly Father, I thank You for the opportunity to come today and pray in the Capital of our government, Father, that You set apart many years ago. I pray today, Father, for our leaders, our president, our congressmen, and our senators, that, Father, we will, as people, submit to the authority and pray for them as You commanded in 1 Peter and in Romans. Father, they deserve all honor and glory. And I pray for their wisdom, their strength, and their discernment, Father, to lead us in a way that honors and glorifies You.
Father, bless this time together, that You give them complete wisdom and earnest desire to glorify You, Father, the Lord of the universe, the Lord of all creation, and the Lord over this nation.
These things we pray in Your most precious Heavenly Son's name, the almighty name of Jesus. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory