[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 21 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING BISHOP FRANK MUNSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness and the utmost 
respect that I take this time to remember a dear friend and one of 
Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Bishop Frank Munsey, founder of 
Family Christian Center in Munster, Indiana. On Saturday, February 5, 
2011, Bishop Frank Munsey passed away at the age of 80. Known for his 
commitment to the church and his missionary work, Bishop Munsey will 
surely be missed by his family, friends, parishioners, and the many 
people whose lives he influenced.
  Bishop Frank Munsey and his wife, Ruth, founded their church in 1953. 
Initially, the church was named Evangelistic Temple and was located in 
Hammond, Indiana. The church's congregation continued to grow, and in 
1971, Bishop Munsey moved the church to nearby Griffith, Indiana. It 
was at this time that the church was renamed Family Christian Center. 
Bishop Munsey's family has always been very active and dedicated to the 
Bishop's aspirations for the church, and in 1985, Pastor Steve Munsey, 
Frank's son, took over leadership of the Family Christian Center. In 
addition to his son, Steve; Bishop Munsey's daughter-in-law, Melody; 
grandson, Kent; and Kent's wife, Alli, serve as Pastors for the church. 
Due to its continued, tremendous growth, in 1999, the church moved to 
its current location in Munster. Today, because of Bishop Frank 
Munsey's commitment, loyalty, and spiritual guidance, as well as the 
continued leadership and dedication of his son, Pastor Steve Munsey, 
and family, the Family Christian Center has an astounding following of 
more than 30,000 parishioners.
  In addition to founding and building the Family Christian Center, 
Bishop Munsey's passion for missionary work was a significant part of 
his life. In 1985, he and Ruth became missionaries in Latin America. 
After seven years of traveling missionary work, they established a 
Christian school in Bulgaria. In 1992, the American English Academy 
opened in the city of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Today, there are 
175 students from 31 countries who attend this school.
  Bishop Frank Munsey is survived by his wife, four children, nine 
grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He has been called, ``an 
amazing man of God'' and ``a gentleman . . . who walked the walk'' by 
parishioners. Bishop Munsey will be remembered for his truly 
outstanding contributions to his community and throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Bishop Frank Munsey for his devotion to 
the numerous people whose lives he touched. His unselfish and lifelong 
dedication to the church, his family, friends, parishioners, and those 
he served through his missionary work is worthy of the highest 
commendation. His legacy will serve as an inspiration to all in the 
spiritual community, and he will remain an inspiration to the people of 
Northwest Indiana and beyond.

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