[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. MARK E. DEVER

  Mr. HAWLEY. Madam President, it is a privilege today to honor the 
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Dever on the occasion of his 30th anniversary as 
senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, here in Washington, DC.
  Mark Dever was born in Madisonville, KY, in 1960. Initially a 
skeptic, he became a Christian as a teenager and went on to study at 
Duke University, where he met his wife Connie. Preparing for a life in 
academia, Dr. Dever completed degrees at Gordon-Conwell Theological 
Seminary and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, before earning 
a Ph.D. inecclesiastical history from Cambridge University.
  Providence had plans other than academia, however. In January 1993, 
Dr. Dever was invited to apply for the recently vacated pulpit on 
Capitol Hill. To the surprise of many, he did--and has pastored in the 
shadow of the Capitol ever since.
  Since his installation as pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Dr. 
Dever has not hesitated to preach ``the whole counsel of God,'' Acts 
20:27. Under his faithful leadership, the church has grown from a few 
hundred to a thriving congregation of nearly a thousand. In January 
1995, that same leadership was felt in this Chamber, when he briefly 
served the Senate as interim chaplain.
  Dr. Dever has dedicated his life to the work of the ministry and to 
the idea that a pastor should preach, pray, love, and stay. And those 
who have been blessed enough to know him or to be members at his church 
know he embodies that ideal.
  His preaching--and he would be sure to note that it is expositional 
preaching in particular--has taught many to better understand God and 
God's word. His constancy in prayer and willingness to wait on God's 
timing has produced an inspiring level of patience and trust in God's 
purposes. He loves through his encouragement and regular prayers. He 
has an almost singular ability to shape leaders and inspire pastors. 
And his dedication to staying in the place God has called him has made 
Dr. Dever a blessing to the thousands of Capitol Hill and executive 
branch staffers who have passed through his church doors.
  Dr. Dever is the author of over 20 books. He is the grateful husband 
of Connie, the father of Annie and Nathan, and the proud grandfather of 
Penelope.
  On behalf of the Senate and countless colleagues who have been 
inspired, pastored, and taught by him, it is my honor to recognize Dr. 
Mark Dever for his distinguished service to the church and to our 
Nation.

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