The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend Pete Wall

Jackson Baptist Church
Sylvania , GA

Sponsor: Rep. Max Burns, (R-GA)
Date of Prayer: 05/19/2004

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

(Mr. BURNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the guest chaplain for today. The Reverend Pete Wall is the pastor of Jackson Baptist Church in rural Screven County, Georgia. It is my home church in my home community. It was the church of my father and my grandfather. It is just across the road from our family farm. As my colleagues might imagine, this church and the community that surrounds it has been a guiding force in my life and is dear to my heart.

We rarely call him ‘‘Reverend'' at home. It is just ‘‘Brother Pete.'' Pete Wall is a shepherd, both literally and figuratively. He is widely known for his knowledge of livestock, especially sheep. But he is more widely known and loved for his ministry to others. Pete has a shepherd's heart. He cares for his flock. His homespun wisdom and amazing storytelling ability easily wins friends and disarms those who might be put off by a more formal religion or a typical preacher. He has a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, and he lives it every day. Pete readily shares his faith with those who wish to learn about a Christ–centered life, yet he never forces his views on others.

Pete has been a blessing to our church and our community for 7 years. It has been a great joy in my life to know him, his wife, Gina, and their family.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor and privilege to have the Reverend Pete Wall as our guest chaplain today. He is my pastor, he is my friend, but most importantly he is my brother in Christ.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

The Reverend Pete Wall, Pastor, Jackson Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia, offered the following prayer:

Lord, I thank You that You allow me the great privilege and opportunity to speak to You, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Lord, I know based on Your word that You respond favorably to those who obey You. Therefore, Lord, I ask that even now You might deal with all those in this House on the urgency of that obedience. Lord, we as a Nation face challenges in the days ahead, problems we have brought on ourselves because many have forgotten whose Nation we are.

Lord, help all to understand that the Earth does not just quake, that fires do not just burn, that the storms do not just show up, but that all are under the control of You, an awesome God who will be heard. Lord, that we might understand that it is not knowledge which is the opinion of man but wisdom which is the gift of God that needs to prevail here in this place this day and every day. Convict those who so foolishly overlook the guidance that You so wonderfully and generously offer. Deal with us now individually and collectively, that our hearts' desire might be Your desire, that our will might be given over to do Your will, that we would only think and say and do those things that we are led to do by You. Amen.

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