Reverend Father Mina D. Essak
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Troy, MI
Sponsor: Rep. Dave Trott, (R-MI)
Date of Prayer: 06/15/2016
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Father Mina and the Coptic community he represents in southeast Michigan. Egypt's Coptic Christians have been a staple in my district since they held their first liturgy at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Troy almost 40 years.
Father Mina is an engineer by trade, but in 1991, he accepted God's calling and became a priest to serve the then–small congregation of Coptic Christians in southeast Michigan. Under the leadership of Father Mina, the Coptic community has grown from a handful of families to over 750 today.
The Copts are my neighbors and friends. They are our nurses, schoolteachers, public servants, and business leaders. The Copts represent what America represents. Their story is America's story: the story of people who dreamed of a better life, the story of people who left everything they had ever known to come to this country for a new beginning.
I am proud to represent this vibrant and welcoming community, and, under the leadership of Father Mina and Father Maximus, the Copts will continue to serve an important role in southeast Michigan for a long time.
I want to thank, again, Father Maximus and Father Mina for leading the House in prayer today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, thank You for our lives, our health, and the opportunity to serve our beloved United States of America. Send Your spirit for protection of her inhabitants as she continues to exist as the most powerful nation in the world.
Send Your spirit to touch the hearts of our Nation's leaders.
Endow the spirit of wisdom on President Obama and the Members here today with familiar words: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Accept the great goodness they strive for: trust, justice, and peace in our great Nation. Inspire our leaders with new approaches to increase the prosperity of those whom they represent. Grant each Member talent with which to multiply their fruits.
May we please You, O God, this day. Hear us, Almighty God.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory