[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. JOSEPH M. STOWELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge and commemorate 
the accomplishments of Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, the outgoing president of 
the Moody Bible Institute. It is with great pleasure that I rise to 
honor Dr. Stowell for his 18 years of dedicated servitude to the Moody 
Bible Institute.
  Mr. Speaker, the Bible says in the Book of Mathew 20 and 27: ``And 
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be servant.''
  Mr. Speaker, by his steadfast commitment to his ministry, I believe 
Dr. Stowell is servanthood personified.
  Dr. Stowell, devoted husband and a committed family man, is a man 
known for his compassionate leadership style. In fact, his love for his 
students and belief in their capacity to make a difference in the life 
of the community and for Christ have been the hallmark of his tenure as 
president.
  Under his leadership and by the grace of God, various Moody Bible 
Institute ministries have been strengthened. These ministries have 
focused on methods that embraced the diversities in the body of Christ, 
including color, caste, and class distinctions; and has sharply focused 
attention to the ministry needs of urban centers.
  In addition, the MBI graduate school has made significant strides 
with a Master of Divinity program and other academic majors that are 
designed to prepare students for ministry in a changing and diverse 
world. Dr. Stowell's most recent contributions at MBI led to a 
restructuring of its many ministries to emphasize the unique 
contributions of the work of Christ through education, broadcasting, 
and publishing. His leadership did not just stop there. In 2001 the 
Distance Learning Center launched Moody Online which now has students 
enrolled throughout 28 countries. And over the past 18 years, MBI 
Broadcasting Network has expanded from 11 to 33 owned and operated 
radio stations which broadcast the award-winning radio ministry known 
as ``Proclaim.''
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Stowell has authored many books, including the 
recent Gold Medallion-winning book entitled, ``The Trouble with 
Jesus.'' Dr. Stowell has earned tremendous respect from all people who 
know him. His unique leadership style, his love for the ministry, and 
his faithfulness in spreading the gospel of Christ was admired by the 
faculty, students, and others in ministry and in the community. Without 
question, Dr. Joseph Stowell was one of the most effective presidents 
in the history of Moody Bible Institute.
  Mr. Speaker, there is an old adage that states: ``When you start to 
benefit more than the people you serve, you are no longer a servant,'' 
and I submit today that Dr. Joseph Stowell has exemplified genuine 
servanthood and he has impacted the lives of those around him more than 
he will ever know.
  He has now been called to his next season of servanthood to advance 
the cause of Christ, and he leaves Moody Bible Institute with a 
tremendous legacy. So today, I rise to recognize and commend the legacy 
of true servanthood which will never be forgotten. I commend Dr. Joseph 
Stowell.

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