[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING STEVE SWOFFORD'S 25TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Steve Swofford's 25th 
Anniversary as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rockwall. He has 
served the congregation and his community with humility, humor, and a 
love that stems from his faith in Jesus Christ. I know the First Family 
of FBC Rockwall is thankful for the Swoffords and for Steve's 
leadership over the years, and that they join me in celebrating this 
special occasion.
   Steve grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and accepted Christ as his 
personal Savior as a high school junior. He felt the call to ministry a 
year later and went on to receive his Bachelor's degree from Dallas 
Baptist University and his Master's from Southwestern Baptist 
Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He was blessed with many supportive 
relationships and his faith was made stronger through the spiritual 
guidance of his first pastor, Bob Graham; his favorite high school 
teacher, F.J. Lykins; and Pastor Gene Reynolds. Steve's wife Brenda, 
whom he married in 1973, has also been a true helpmate to him and their 
church family.
   Steve began his ministry in the Dallas area and was soon drawn to 
Rockwall because of the untapped potential of First Baptist and the 
closeness of the community. Over the 25 years Steve has faithfully 
served the First Family, the church has seen tremendous growth--growing 
from 800 members to over 4,000. In order to meet the needs of the 
growing church body, FBC, which began with one Sunday morning worship 
service and Sunday School, now holds three Sunday morning worship 
services and three Sunday Schools. Bible Study attendance has likewise 
grown from 200 people to almost 1,500. To meet space demands, four new 
buildings and five new parking lots have been built. As a Pastor with 
deep convictions to actively spread the Gospel, Steve has also led FBC 
Rockwall to give nearly $8.5 million on behalf of world missions--not 
one penny of which stayed in the church.
   It is important to note that Steve's ministry goes beyond the walls 
of First Baptist. He serves at the local, state, and national level in 
Baptist endeavors, and especially enjoys serving the Rockwall community 
as chaplain with the Rockwall police and fire departments where he can 
provide spiritual and emotional support to those in need.
   Without a doubt, God has strengthened and helped Pastor Swofford as 
he has faithfully served the First Family of FBC Rockwall these past 25 
years. I am sure that Steve and Brenda share their accomplishments 
together--and that they attribute all success to Christ for His Glory.
   I am also personally indebted to Pastor Steve for his participation 
in the service for my late wife, Mary Ellen. His generosity to a fellow 
believer--outside his church membership but still a brother in Christ--
is not forgotten.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Pastor 
Steve Swofford's 25 years of faithful leadership to the members of 
First Baptist Church of Rockwall. He is truly a servant of God, and the 
First Family and Rockwall community are blessed to have him. Even more 
so, we are blessed to live in a country founded on Christian principles 
where pastors like Steve Swofford can proclaim the Gospel freely.

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