[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO PASTOR ADRIAN ROGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay well deserved tribute to 
one of the great religious leaders of our time, Pastor Adrian Rogers of 
Tennessee.
  In the words of Billy Graham, ``We need for ministers of the Gospel 
to defend the Bible as the infallible Word of God . . . I believe in my 
heart that Adrian Rogers is such a man. I know him personally. I have 
walked with him and prayed with him . . . I know God's hand is upon 
Adrian Rogers as he proclaims the Bread of Life from his church and 
through radio and television . . . I praise God for his ministry.''
  These comments echo the sentiment of millions who've been touched and 
inspired by the life-changing ministry of Pastor Rogers. The high 
regard in which he is held translated to his three elections as 
President of the Southern Baptist Convention--the world's largest 
Protestant denomination with 16 million members. With a passion and 
gift for applying the gospel message to everyday life, he has also 
shared the ``good news'' as a noted author with scores of books and 
instructional material to his credit; as a featured speaker at a number 
of historic conferences and international crusades; and as the founder 
and broadcaster with Love Worth Finding ministries which is played on 
over 14,000 broadcast and cable television outlets, on nearly 2000 
radio stations and in more than 150 countries worldwide.
  With all that he has given to people across the nation and the world, 
Adrian Rogers has etched a special place in Tennessee and Mid-South 
history as the pastor of the renowned Bellevue Baptist Church. Founded 
in 1903 in a small chapel on the ``outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee,'' 
Bellevue Baptist Church was in 1972 already a significant pillar in the 
religious community with a membership of approximately 9,000 persons. 
In this year, however, the entrance of Pastor Rogers and his wife, 
Joyce, served as a milestone in Bellevue's history. From this new 
beginning, the congregation grew from 9,000 to 29,000 members and 
expanded to a campus and multifaceted ministries that now stand as a 
model for houses of worship worldwide.
  Through the growth and success, Pastor Rogers gives all credit to God 
saying that ``Bellevue is what she is because of the love of Jesus. . . 
. Jesus is the glue that holds Bellevue together.'' These words are 
particularly significant as Adrian Rogers makes his transition from 
active Pastor to Pastor Emeritus of this great ministry.
  For his humility and his worthy example of all that faith should 
represent, I would ask that my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives would join with me in honoring a servant of God and a 
friend to humanity--Pastor Adrian Rogers.

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