[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 25 (Monday, March 7, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S2147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. ADRIAN ROGERS

 Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, some say we are living in the 
post-Christian era, but you would not have known it yesterday if you 
were among the 13,829 worshippers, as I was, at the retirement tribute 
to pastor Adrian Rogers at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. I am a 
Presbyterian--but Presbyterian or Baptist, believer or nonbeliever, one 
could not help but be inspired by the services on Sunday and especially 
by Dr. Rogers himself.
  Adrian Rogers is one of America's best-known preachers. His ``Love 
Worth Finding Ministries'' is broadcast in more than 150 counties in 
both English and Spanish. He has authored 17 books, 48 booklets and 78 
cassette tapes. He has been elected three times to lead the Southern 
Baptist Convention.
  Dr. Rogers came to Bellevue in Memphis in 1972 when the Church was in 
Midtown, the enrollment was 9000 and the annual budget was $625,000. 
Today the church spreads across 375 acres in Cordova, the enrollment is 
29,000 and the budget is $21 million.
  What impresses me most is not this growth but the man himself. Like 
his friend Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers has not allowed his fame to 
diminish him personally. The most moving statements yesterday came from 
his children who testified that this man who everyone knows can talk 
the talk always walks the walk at home. Those who know him best say 
that he practices what he preaches. When he told his congregation, ``I 
am what I am by the grace of God,'' it was not mock humility.
  There was much love expressed yesterday for Joyce Rogers, who Adrian 
said ``is the only girl that I have ever dated.'' She has sung in the 
choir, taught Sunday school and been his partner since their marriage 
in 1951.
  Our founders made sure that we do not have a state church but that we 
do have freedom of religion. As a result of this constitutional 
guarantee, there is a church of some denomination on almost every 
American corner. This freedom has also proved to be a nurturing 
environment for independent leaders such as Adrian Rogers whose good 
lives attract us and inspire us and lead us to be among the world's 
most religious people.
  No mortal is perfect. I know of one blemish on my friend Adrian 
Rogers: He is a Florida Gators fan. In the spirit of yesterday, the 
Christian thing to do is to forgive him.

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