Reverend L.H. Hardwick, Jr.
Christ Church
Nashville, TN
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Jim Cooper, (D-TN)
Date of Prayer: 04/06/2005
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to introduce as our guest chaplain my good friend Reverend L.H. Hardwick , Jr., the senior pastor of Christ Church in Nashville, TN.
Reverend Hardwick was born and raised in Nashville, and he attended the Freewill Baptist Bible College before he was called to the ministry at the remarkably young age of 18. Dr. Hardwick has held honorary doctoral degrees from the Moody Theological Seminary and Emmanuel Bible College. Reverend Hardwick is truly remarkable and has dedicated over 54 years of faithful service to his congregation as pastor of Christ Church.
The reverend has tirelessly led Christ Church through three moves due to growth, and now the church has over 3,500 members and is listed as one of the fastest growing congregations in America.
A dedicated community servant as well as pastor, Pastor Hardwick has been appointed by the Governor of Tennessee to serve 8 years on the Board of Trustees of the State Mental Health Association. He is a member of the Metro Pastors Association, 12 of Nashville's most distinguished ministers. He has been a key part of the board of Operation Andrew, which is the outreach board for Pastor Billy Graham and his ministry in uniting the body of Christ in Middle Tennessee. This year, Pastor Hardwick and his wife, Montelle, are celebrating their 55th year of marriage.
So, Mr. Speaker, it is again an honor and privilege to be able to welcome such a distinguished individual to the U.S. House of Representatives. Pastor L.H. Hardwick , Jr., is truly a fine man and did a wonderful job in delivering our opening prayer.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
The Reverend L.H. Hardwick, Jr., Pastor, Christ Church, Nashville, TN, offered the following prayer:
Almighty God, whose law kindles human conscience and sustains human government, we acknowledge our Nation to be yet sustained by those precepts our Founders committed us to keep. Strengthen, we pray, the foundations of this land. Save us from any hardness of heart or from the cynical disregard for Your ways. Deliver us, O Lord, from petty dissension. Increase our civility. Cultivate in us all that is good, beautiful, and true.
Grant to our leaders a tender spirit toward the people whose trust they hold and whose futures they influence. Give them forbearance and grace one toward another, that they may faithfully discern the common good for our country.
We ask You now to hold these, the Members of the United States Congress, in Your holy and mighty hand. May they do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. We confidently ask these things in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory