Following Dr. Benjamin Carson’s keynote address at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, Tenn., pastor Dan Cummins announced that the May 7 Statuary Hall event “Washington: A Man of Prayer 2014” is set to make religious broadcasting history.
The ceremony honoring the 225th inaugural anniversary of President George Washington will be broadcast globally by the Daystar Television Network as members of Congress and national Christian leaders gather to honor the first president of the United States as a man of Christian faith.
Though the event is exclusively for members of Congress, churches around the world will be able to join the celebration that Wednesday evening during their midweek services via global webcast.
CBN News and World Net Daily Films will provide the satellite feed from the original chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. Churches are encouraged to register online to host the historic webcast during their midweek services at WashingtonAManOfPrayer.com
Cummins, originator of the event now in its third consecutive year, told Charisma News, “This is a historic first! This celebration is not coming from the steps of the Capitol or from the National Mall, but from inside the Capitol’s most sacred room, Statuary Hall.”
Speaker of the House John Boehner initially gave Cummins, pastor of Bridlewood Church in Bullard, Texas, access to Statuary Hall in May 2012—the first time a private citizen has been granted use of the Great Hall to conduct a service of this type in more than 120 years.
Speaking to the Delta Ballroom audience gathered at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NRB and the installation of its new president, Jerry Johnson, Cummins described the events surrounding this historic occasion.
“’Washington: A Man of Prayer 2014′ commemorates the events of April 30, 1789, when after being sworn in at Federal Hall, President Washington along with Congress proceeded to St. Paul’s Chapel where, as his first official act, [he] offered a prayer of dedication to God on America’s behalf,” Cummins explained.
“On April 30, 1789, the world saw more than just the inauguration of the president of a new nation; it witnessed a watershed moment in world history: the birth of the American republic and a functioning Constitution,” he continued.
“Could the ideals penned on parchment at Philadelphia’s Continental Congress preserve in ink what sword and patriots’ blood inscribed on the field of battle?” Cummins asked. “The pen indeed has been mightier than the sword, as today we celebrate 225 triumphant years of the American experiment and the exceptional man who most embodied the dream of all men—the freedom to self-govern.”
Asked about the importance of conducting the event in Statuary Hall, Cummins explained, “The Old House Chamber was the location of weekly Christian church services from 1800 to 1869. It was the largest church on the East Coast, with as many as 2,000 in attendance in the Capitol. The American Christian church has deep roots and significant historic ties to Statuary Hall.”
The early Christian church in Washington, D.C., began meeting in the new Capitol building about six months before Congress moved in. Legislation allowing that use was signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson, who attended services there—as did President James Madison after him. What part of separation of church and state did they not understand?
This year’s bipartisan event will be congressionally hosted by Rep. Michele Bachmann and emceed by former Gov. Mike Huckabee. Participants include both chaplains of the House and Senate, Fr. Patrick Conroy and the Rev. Barry Black.
Several members of Congress will offer prayers on behalf of the nation, our president and his Cabinet, the Supreme Court and its justices, and members of Congress. Churches will be able to participate in this historic time to pray for the nation.
Other members attending include Sens. Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson and Mike Lee. From the House, Reps. Mike McIntyre, Louie Gohmert, Kristi Noem, Corrine Brown, Tim Huelskamp, Steve King, Jeff Miller, Diane Black, Steve Womack, Chris Stewart, Steve Stockman and others will be in attendance. As a bipartisan event, invitations have been sent to all 535 members of the 113th Congress.
Cummins urges everyone to invite their senators and representative to attend the event by using the convenient invitation form provided on the event website.
National Christian leaders participating include the program director for the event, Dr. Jim Garlow, as well as Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., Robert Jeffress, Phyllis Schlafly, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Star Parker, Penny Nance, Peter Lillback, Bill Federer, Bishop Angel Nunez, Rosemary Schindler Garlow, Charmaine Yoest, Sergio De La Mora, Tony Perkins, Samuel Rodriguez and Rafael Cruz.
Churches hosting the free webcast should register online where downloadable promotional materials are available. Also, free school curriculum (K-12) pertaining to the historical events surrounding the inauguration of President George Washington has been provided by the Brook Hill School of Bullard, Texas.
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