Reverend Willie Davis
Second Baptist Church
Las Vegas, NV
Sponsor: Rep. Hon. Shelley Berkley, (D-NV)
Date of Prayer: 03/19/2003
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to introduce to my House colleagues our guest chaplain, Reverend Willie Davis from the Second Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pastor Davis has served the Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas since 1978.
Under Reverend Davis's leadership, the membership at Second Baptist Church has more than doubled and the church has improved and expanded services offered to the community. Given the unique work schedules of the residents of Las Vegas, Second Baptist was the first African American congregation to begin an early morning worship service, as well as a live broadcast. It has expanded its facilities to incorporate a new sanctuary with seating for 2,000 people, new classrooms, a small chapel, a pastor's study, and administrative offices. From a tent in the desert, Second Baptist has bloomed into the miracle on Madison Avenue.
The glory of Second Baptist's transformation is reflected in the church's awards–winning choir which will be performing at noon today in HC–8 of the Capitol building, as well as other locations.
It gives me great pride and pleasure that they are here, and it is very fitting that as long as Reverend Davis is here in our Nation's Capitol, along with the choir from Second Baptist, that he give the morning prayer .
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
God, whose aggression is born of love and whose aim is peace, God of revelation and inspiration, from Your Holy Word come instructions about the necessity of vision and statements of encouragement for the entertainment of vision. Help us, O God.
Our world needs a new vision of sovereignty. We need negotiations more than confrontation, cooperation more than conflict, peace rather than war. Help us, Lord.
Our world needs a new vision of freedom. We need no political hostages; free them, Lord. We need no slaves of prejudice; free them Lord. No bond servants of poverty; free them, Lord. No captives of hunger; free them, Lord. No servants of sin; free them, Lord.
Our world needs a new vision of Your redemption. Save us, Lord. Enable us to call on Your name in repentance, to open our hearts to You in commitment, and to bow our knees to You in obedience.
Our prayer is offered in the Name of the One who gives clear visibility and spiritual reality. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory