February 9, 2009

E pluribus unum, Latin for "Out of Many, One," is what the forefathers of our country pledged and that was indeed the spirit of the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington D. C. that I was privileged to attend on Thursday,  February 5, 2009.  This annual affair begins on the Wednesday evening before and continues through that Thursday evening with plenty of food, fellowship, and a wealth of inspiring information centered on serving God by serving community.
 
I want to thank Congressman Phil Gingrey, Mrs. Janet Byington our District Director, The Lovejoy Church Family, and friends who made this trip possible for me.  Yes, it was special that I shared breakfast with President and Mrs. Obama, moreover it was a time to see Washington D.C. from a view few are privileged to observe:  Politics from a religious perspective.   The experience was inspiring and motivating.  I am more committed to praying for those courageous men and women who represent us in the Nations Capitol. 

            Upon arrival at Regan National Airport I was met by Mr. Marcus Holloway who took me straight to Congressman Gingrey’s office at 119 Canon Building, which is adjacent to the Capitol.  Marcus and Ms. Meredith Blackburn were my host and hostess and got me quick and easy access to the things the Congressman had prepared for me.  I then proceeded to lunch in the basement of the Capitol.  This was my first look at how fast paced and hectic life for people involved in the political scene can be.  I finished my lunch just in time to rush up stairs for a group tour of the Capitol Building.  With the Senate Floor on one side and the Congress Floor on the other; the beautiful Dome shaped Rotunda is in the middle of this building and its politically sacred contents are a must see for anyone who visits our Nation’s Capitol.  All around the rotunda I observed the beautiful murals and portraits that tell the story of the history of America.  All around these were statues of the great men and women who shaped America.  From President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the list goes on.  There are at least two statues of heroic individuals of each state in the union. 

When this tour was over, I had an opportunity to spend time in the Senate and Congressional Galleries while they were in session.  While in the Senate Gallery, I observed the Junior Senator of Illinois, Senator Burris chair a session in which Senator John McCain wanted to introduce his amendment to the stimulus package.   Time spent in the Congressional Gallery I observed Congressman Jessie Jackson, Jr. serve as Pro Tem and conduct a session where the congressmen and women cast votes.  One issue was to delay changing the Television reception from analog to digital reception.   
It was an exciting afternoon, but it was almost time for my first dinner in conjunction with the Prayer Breakfast.  The Dinner was the Southeast Congressional Dinner.   All these events took place at the Washington Hilton at 1919 Connecticut Ave. At each sit down dinner or seminar I always sat with a different group of people.  In one setting I shared a table with a Jewish man, an Army Chaplain, and a family from China.  The next time it would be a total different group from a different background.  It was always interesting to hear how we all had gotten to this point in our lives, the common thread being our love for God, and desire for world peace.

          Some of the speakers were Mr. Dan T. ( Bubba) Cathy of Chic-Filet, Dr. Ken Blanchard, author of One Minute Manager, and Brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick who were the creators, producers, and directors of the movies, “Facing The Giants” and “Fireproof.”    My favorite speakers were former Mayor and Civil Rights leader, Andy Young, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, and President Barack Obama.. 

          Andy Young is an elder statesman in the truest sense of the word.  His wisdom was obvious in the words he spoke.  He said that God was still working miracles.  That perhaps Barack Obama was born to the parents of African and American background; then raised primarily by wise and loving grandparents. He talks about how he has been reared and exposed to various parts of the world.  From the Hawaii Islands to Indonesia, and in America giving him a first hand glimpse of a diverse world; He would come back to America and attend the finest institutions of learning.  Then God would place a woman in the person of Michelle Robinson into his life to give him the stability he needed.  From there he hit the streets of Chicago to reach out to the least of them in community service.  Young declared all of this was simply God’s way of preparing him to be the kind of President he would have to be in this difficult time. 

         Then I heard him say something that I’ve rarely heard anyone say lately:  He praised former President George Bush.  He said he genuinely liked President Bush and that no one could have known exactly what to do after the 911 attack.  President Bush did what he thought was best at the time.  Given time, History might show that much of what he did that was unpopular then and now was possibly the best thing that could have taken place.  He concluded by saying America’s present situation is no one man’s fault and that no one man can solve all America’s problem. 

        Finally, he made a statement that only he could get away with and that was:  He believes that things would get better in America and on a global scale when the South fully embraces the idea of change.  After all, it was the changing of the South in American that ultimately changed America. 

        Thursday Morning I officially greeted Congressman Gingrey and his other guest and we enjoyed the morning fellowship.  Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was the Keynote Speaker of the Prayer Breakfast.  He was a pleasant surprise and awesome speaker.  His presentation was sprinkled with hilarious anecdotes.  Yet he set the tone for those in attendance, including our President.  He talked about John Newton’s life as a pirate and slave trader, who later converted to the Christianity and became a preacher.  He is the author of the great hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  Mr. Blair declares that grace is what the world needs, and those who are blessed with grace must share with others.  He shared that he had been spending a lot of time in Jerusalem and as He was seeking a closer relationship with God, he was also learning how to “slow down and enjoy the moments.”

         After Mr. Blair’s speech it was time for President Obama.  The President showed his wit and wisdom by declaring he would not attempt to touch the dynamic oration of Prime Minister Blair (It was indeed Blair’s hour).  The President did something in his presentation that I had not heard over his two year campaign and that was give his testimony.  He talked about his Kenyan Father who was at first a Muslim, but later in life became an atheist.  He spoke of how his grandparent raised him to be good and sheltered him from areas that might have gotten him in trouble; however they were not actively practicing their Christian Faith.  He spoke of his mother who certainly had a great belief system, but her world views and ultimate sickness often saw her faith weaning.  He declared that it was after he finished college and began to serve the most troubled areas in Chicago, trying to organize people and help people find jobs that he realized he needed a source of help other that what man could give.  It was then that he said he gave his life to Christ.  It was his testimony, and  that alone was worth the trip.  To hear my President lift up the name of Christ as his Savior was precious to me.  

               So what did I learn from my trip to Washington?  One thing that we as a community can do is to join the Congressional Prayer Caucus.  Simply go to www.prayercaucus.org and sign up.    I never shall forget that 180 nations came together in the name of God, and the name of Jesus was highly exalted.  I sat at tables with people of various religions and faiths; yet most confess Christ and others were respectful and tolerant of Christ.  To hear a Muslim say that He is a Muslim but Jesus is his Messiah seems to be an oxymoron, but yet it was his stance.  Statements like “Jesus transcends all religions,” and “appreciate our differences rather than be divided by them” has helped me to understand better to be more tolerant of those different from me. The experience had a very profound affect on my life.

          I can not help but wonder if these people can come together once a year and have such a fellowship and be united as one, why can’t we in our community.  I humbly challenge all Pastors, Ministers, and Evangelists across denominational and gender lines to make an effort to unite under the banner of Jesus Christ.  Let us lay aside our petty differences and agree to work together to impact Rome in a greater way.  Then, perhaps we can embrace those of other religions with the idea that Jesus does transcend all religions.  It has been reinforced to me that as the body of Christ grows together, so does the rest of the community, country, and world. “Out of many, one.”   It is time for change.