Lakeland pastor prays before Congress

Photo Courtesy US House of Representatives

Jay Dennis, pastor of FBC at the Mall, Lakeland, served as guest chaplain for the US House of Representatives Nov 17. Pictured with Dennis (center) is House Chaplain Daniel Couglin (right) and Congressman Adam Putnam (R-FL).

First God told him to turn a mall into a church. Then God told him to take on an even more unusual project-present a personalized study Bible to each member of Congress, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, the Vice-President and the President of the United States.

Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, and president of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 2001, said he didn't stop there. Because the Chaplain to the Senate, J. Lloyd Ogilvie, had recently presented a study Bible to the members of the Senate, Dennis did not present them with Bibles. Instead a "second miracle" happened when he was invited to be the guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 13.

First, he was called to deliver Bibles, than he was asked to preside as chaplain.

"What an unbelievable experience," Dennis said. "The Lord just spoke to my heart, and I asked, 'Are you sure God?'"

In the midst of another building campaign, Dennis told Florida Baptist Witness he wasn't even sure at first it would be the right project to take to his 5,000-member congregation. Despite a hefty $21,000 price tag for the 467 leather-bound New American Standard study Bibles, Dennis said the congregation rallied to support the effort

"It really connected with them," said Dennis. And in Washington, with the help of Congressman Adam Putnam (R-FL), and with a lot of prayer, a path was cleared for Dennis and members of his family and church staff to deliver the Bibles, each imprinted with that legislator's name, in person.

"The impossible became possible," said Dennis. "We were able to go into offices where the whole atmosphere changed when we walked in. And we were able to communicate with the House of Representatives about what we were able to do."

Dennis said "unbelievable things" thing happened on his first trip to Washington.

"Right before I prayed, the chaplain looked at me and said, 'You know, this is where the President stands when he delivers the State of the Union Address,'" Dennis remembered being told.

"I looked at my 14-year-old daughter and there were tears streaming down her face," he said. "It really put me over the edge."

Dennis prayed, in part, "May your plan become our purpose; may your book become our guide, and; may your presence be our ever-encouraging assurance." [Click here for the full text of the prayer].

In remarks after Dennis' prayer, Putnam told the members of the House of Dennis' conviction to deliver the Bibles to every member of Congress, the supreme Court, and the administration.

"We often speak in this chamber about the dedication of individuals to their community and to their country. Dr. Dennis is making a difference in the lives of the people of central Florida, and in so doing, serves as an example for all of us to follow."

Back in Lakeland, members of the congregation caught the experience on C-Span.

"It was one of the most unbelievable experiences," Dennis said. "I had said to the church, and it had dawned on me, that we could change the nation."

Only one member of the House refused the gift. But Dennis is not giving up and will write the congressman a personal letter and tell him about what a "great experience" the project was for the congregation at FBC at the Mall.

Dozens of other members of congress, men and women, Republicans and Democrats, from around the nation, have sent letters of thanks to Dennis and his church.

One Congressman wrote: "Your witness to us speaks volumes of where our priorities should remain. May God continue to bless your ministry. II Chronicles 7:14."

Another wrote: "I sincerely believe that America's future and strength depend on those of us who have faith in God. Again thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Yet another wrote, "...I often think of how much different our country could be if each of us took time daily to reflect on the faith which has been so divinely inspired and graciously provided to all who seek it."

In addition to the letters, Dennis said he has received e-mail and phone calls of appreciation for the project.

"We learned not only that it's very possible we can change the nation; we learned that when you obey God, he still parts Red Seas," Dennis said. "When the pastor and church obey what God wants us to do, we do our job and God does His. He made the way."

And in Washington, Dennis said he was most impressed by the dome at the Capitol building.

"I was in awe when I walked in," said Dennis. Even more riveting to him was a display in a new section of the Smithsonian's Museum of American History devoted to display of pieces of one of the planes used as a weapon in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the nation.

"It was a stark reminder that our nation so desperately needs God," Dennis said. "It was just an amazing reminder of how much we really depended upon God during that time.

"Here I am delivering the Word of God; something so eternal," he said. "And on 9/11 I saw there was a new openness to the Word of God."