[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 90 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1407]]
    ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW SANCTUARY ON ROCK SPRINGS CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 2005

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention 
of the House a momentous occasion occurring in the Eighth District of 
Georgia--the one-year anniversary of the new sanctuary of Rock Springs 
Church in Milner, Georgia which will be celebrated on August 14 of this 
year.
  The ministry of Rock Springs is an amazing demonstration of the 
faithfulness of God in the lives of His people. The church has been a 
lighthouse for more than 150 years, faithfully calling on people in 
Georgia to follow the Lord in accordance with His Word.
  It was 1852, when some of the first Congregational Methodist churches 
were being formed, that Rock Springs first began. The church began 
serving the area immediately, and moved into its first sanctuary in 
1855.
  From that point, a number of faithful men served in the pulpit, 
proclaiming God's Word to all who came to hear, and going out into the 
community to spread the message of truth.
  The church has continued to grow, and now Dr. Benny Tate leads the 
work that has been carried on by so many before him. Dr. Tate's vision 
of ministry for the community has continued to grow, and the church 
stands as a lighthouse, true to the Word of God.
  Dr. Tate's messages on the importance of Christian involvement in 
government have been an encouragement and challenge to me, and I 
appreciate his vision for Christians serving all throughout the halls 
of government. But true Christian statesmanship involves a deep 
commitment to living out the truths of the Bible, and that is the 
message that comes out loud and clear from the people of Rock Springs.
  One year ago, Rock Springs dedicated the new church sanctuary, as 
Solomon dedicated the temple, to the glory of God. This is the base of 
operations for ministry to the community. But the building itself is 
not the church. As we celebrate this new sanctuary, dedicated to the 
worship of God, the equipping of His people, and the evangelization of 
the lost, we also thank God for the people of Rock Springs and the 
testimony they are to a watching world around them.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to lay before this House the ministry of 
Rock Springs Church, and pray God's richest blessings on the ministry 
there as they look back on the past year of the new sanctuary, and look 
forward to many, many years of ministry in the future.

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