Doctor Suzan Johnson Cook
Believers' Christian Fellowship Church
New York, NY
Sponsor: Rep. Ed Towns, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 07/25/2007
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mr. TOWNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook . Rev. Cook is the pastor at the Believers' Christian Fellowship Church, which she founded in 1996 after serving as pastor of the Mariners' Temple Baptist Church in downtown Manhattan for 13 years. In 2002, Rev. Cook became the first woman elected president of the 10,000–member Hampton, Virginia, University Ministers Conference, which represents all the historically African American denominations. Her list of other ‘‘firsts'' includes: first woman appointed Chaplain of the New York Police Department and the first female baptist minister from the Bronx to receive a White House fellowship.
A woman of promise, passion, diligence, and determination, Rev. Cook is the author of eight successful books. In 1997 Rev. Cook was featured by Ebony Magazine as one of the Nation's top 15 women in ministry.
Rev. Cook has toured nationally with Bishop T.D. Jakes and the ‘‘God's Leading Ladies Conference.'' Her motto is ‘‘If I can help somebody, then my living is not in vain.''
A faculty member and graduate of Harvard University, she also received a doctorate of ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary, a master of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, and a master of arts degree from Columbia University.
Rev. Cook is married to Ronald Cook , and they reside in New York City with their two sons.
Dr. Cook is a powerful orator and was recently described in the New York Times as ‘‘Billy Graham and Oprah rolled into one.'' Her mentoring and leadership skills have now charged her to form The Woman in Ministry International Summit, which supports and advocates for women church leaders.
Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize this magnificent minister, scholar, and dynamic leader, and urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this outstanding member of the clergy.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Our God and our Creator:
We come to you this day, rejoicing in our hearts for life and life more abundant. We ask you to guide us throughout this day, throughout all of our proceedings, that we may go forth with purpose, passion, and perseverance, representing the people who have both elected and put their trust in us. Please also bless our families as we are absent from them. Let no hurt, harm nor danger come their way this day.
May we now place our trust in You. We ask also, God, that you keep ever before us our mission, our missives, and keep our minds focused, clear and convicted to be servants as we represent our nation, the United States of America. Thank you for this opportunity to serve. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve. Bless also, those amongst us, who are candidates for office. Give them strength, and keep them grounded in thee. We also ask, oh God, that you bless not only us, but those around this world, especially those who live in fear, poverty and with injustice. May what we say and do make a difference that we may be a light to this world, as you shine through us. This is our prayer in your name and for your sake.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory