Live...from Washington DC...

“Just relax,” he said. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. Just remember, in a few moments you’ll be speaking from the very podium where every president in your lifetime has stood to address the nation during the State of the Union Address and at other times of national importance.”

And with those words, Daniel P. Coughlin, the Chaplain of the U. S. House of Represent- atives, quickly turned and walked off the platform, leaving me standing there all alone. A second later, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the third highest elected official in our national government, entered the chamber, ascended to the Speaker’s chair, and gaveled the House to order.

“And now,” she said, “our opening prayer will be offered by the Reverend Danny Davis, Pastor of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.”

And with that, I prayed my 150-word prayer to the Lord in full view of the scattered Congressmen and staffers on the floor; Sandy, our son Jordan, and a group of school children up in the gallery; and an indeterminable number of television viewers watching the proceedings on C-SPAN. After ending my prayer with the politically incorrect “In Jesus’ Name, Amen”, I stepped off the platform and the House recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Then I publicly was recognized by the two members of the House who had made this rare opportunity possible for me: Congresswoman Thelma Drake of Virginia Beach—my son Jordan’s boss—and Congressman Virgil Goode, our local Congressman from here in Southside Virginia.

After their remarks on the House floor, we all exited the chamber. I then met up with Sandy and Jordan and the three of us were escorted to the Speaker’s Reception Room by Chaplain Coughlin, accompanied by Speaker Pelosi, along with Representatives Drake and Goode. Speaker Pelosi told me that the Speaker’s Reception Room was used to receive kings, presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries, but on that particular day it was being used to receive me. (Whoa!) Chaplain Coughlin then presented me with a certificate in recognition of my serving as guest chaplain for the day. A House photographer came along to chronicle the event. It was all quite amazing—almost too much to take in—for a simple preacher like me that grew up in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky.

In the midst of all the niceties, Speaker Pelosi turned to me privately at one point and said “Please pray for us.” Recognizing the tremendous pressures that the Congress was then under because of some of the critical issues they were facing, I assured her that I would. It was at the very moment that I suddenly was reminded of the fact that people are just people, no matter what position of power of prominence they may hold. And that everyone, regardless of status or stature, needs the Lord.

As our time together concluded, Sandy and I left the Capitol and went by Jordan’s office in the Longworth House Office Building to say our “goodbyes” to his co-workers, the other members of Mrs. Drake’s staff. During our stopover there, I was honored with yet another unexpected gift—a plaque containing an official copy of Congresswoman Drake’s remarks about me which would be entered into that day’s Congressional Record.

Congresswoman Drake had been so gracious and kind with her remarks on the House floor—not only in regard to what she said about me, but with the additional comments she made about her Senior Legislative Assistant, Jordan. It was a nice but unexpected tribute to a young man who has been a valuable part of her team for the past three years. Sandy and I were both humbled and proud. Mrs. Drake is truly a wonderful lady. She is just completing her second term on Capitol Hill. Obviously, we hope that her re-election bid this November is successful. It truly would be a loss both to her district and the nation if it were otherwise.

Earlier in the morning, prior to the opening of the House session, Sandy and I had enjoyed a leisurely private breakfast with Mrs. Drake and Jordan in the Members Only Dining Room. We were delighted to have that special opportunity to get to know her better. She is such a refreshing down-to-earth person, the type who quickly puts you at ease. She also is a person of character, integrity, and strong values. It is encouraging to know that there are people of her caliber serving in Congress. And the same goes for Virgil Goode. He also is a man of deep conviction and character. I feel better about things in Washington when I remember that both Thelma Drake and Virgil Goode are there. I truly thank God for public servants like these. May the Lord increase their tribe. Our nation surely could use a few more elected officials cut from the same cloth.

Pastor Danny

NOTE: By the way, I've learned that my prayer will be preserved for posterity on the House Chaplain's official website: chaplain.house.gov. Just click on the "prayer archive" and search for the prayer dated September 17, 2008. (Honestly, I just hope the Lord was pleased with it.)

Back from Cuba

Can you believe it? Pastor Danny's Blog has lain dormant for an entire month! But, contrary to any rumors regarding my untimely demise, I'm happy to report that I'm still alive & well. And after a lengthy hiatus from the blogosphere—due to travels, family illness, and a host of pastoral responsibilities that I had to catch up on after returning home—I’m finally settling back into my cyberspace saddle again. I’ll try to get my journalistic juices flowing once more by sharing some thoughts regarding our church's recent mission trip to Cuba.

In mid-August, Sandy and I led a team of 15 persons from the Danville area to minister with a Baptist church in Cuba’s capital city of Havana. We worked with a congregation there that Sandy and I have known quite well since 2002. This was my fifth visit to the island and Sandy’s fourth. Returning to the church in Cuba and seeing familiar faces there—faces that we’ve seen year after year—is sort of like going home again. We have been there so often that, for Sandy and me, it’s almost like returning to a church that we formerly pastored. The people there are truly special to our hearts. This was Mount Hermon’s first mission foray into Cuba, and Sandy and I were truly delighted for members of our new church family to meet some of our dear Christian friends in Havana. (We had been there several times previously with members of our former church in Florida.)

During week one, our team was involved in a variety of mission activities. Every morning, we divided into 3 subgroups of five persons each, and conducted 3 simultaneous Vacation Bible Schools for children in 3 different neighborhoods. Much as in the USA, our VBS consisted of Bible teaching, music, crafts, recreation & snacks…except that everything is done in Spanish rather than English! (Thank God that love knows no language.) We ministered to some precious boys & girls throughout the week, some of whom are the children of prostitutes & prison inmates. One child we ministered to had watched his father hatchet his mother to death just a few days earlier. Another child’s mother had just died of AIDs. One group of kids we worked with came from a household of 41 women & children crowded into a residence built for 10. But the children were all so adorable. And they have such an authentic spiritual hunger. They loved us & we loved them. Thank God for the work that the church there is doing in reaching them for Christ.

Following lunch, our team members were involved in afternoon adult discipleship training sessions. Some of us taught sessions each day. I did a series on the theology and practice of the various worship expressions mentioned in the Bible. Cliff Hudgins taught on conflict resolution, listening skills, and other practical matters. Whitney Clarke demonstrated the use of object lessons to communicate spiritual truth to children. Other team members provided special music (vocal and guitar), drama, dance/ creative arts, and personal testimonies. Throughout the week, every team member spoke at least once. Some shared multiple times. In the evenings, team members similarly participated in corporate worship services which were hosted at a different venue each night. Cliff Hudgins and I shared primary preaching responsibilities throughout the week.

Our team worked hard, they sweated profusely (at least I did), and they connected beautifully with their Cuban brothers and sisters. I was proud of the work they did. Because of the busy schedule that had been planned for us, there was very little down time for the team. Indeed, our sightseeing opportunities were limited to just 3 afternoon hours squeezed into one busy Sunday. But the whole week was a memorable experience for all and I’m sure it left an indelible mark on each member of our team.

At the conclusion of week one, most of the team headed back to the USA while Sandy and I stayed behind. We had been invited to stay for a second week in order to engage in some additional ministry opportunities. Originally, there had been talk of me preaching/ teaching/ lecturing at the Baptist seminary for a week. But, when that opportunity didn’t materialize, there was a plan for me to share in several different Havana churches during the second week. Right before our departure to Cuba, however, my close friend who is a leader among Cuban Baptists told me that Sandy and I had been invited to speak to a pastors and wives conference that week at a Baptist camp and retreat center out in the countryside. Sandy and I would meet various pastors and wives from throughout the country. I would have the opportunity to address the pastors, Sandy would teach a session for their wives, and then Sandy would sing each night of the conference. So, that was our plan when we arrived in Cuba. But then Tropical Storm Fay showed up a week later on the day the rest of our team flew home. That was a Monday. This led to the last minute cancellation of the retreat, which was to have begun on Tuesday. Although good ole Fay missed Havana (barely), veering to the east, she went right over the area where the camp was located. So, it probably was a good idea they canceled the event. But, this led to our personal plans changing once more. Our friend worked hastily to make new arrangements for us. And everything worked out beautifully as if God had planned it that way all along (which I’m sure He had.)

After hunkering down for a day while the storm (such as it was) passed by, we headed out on Tuesday morning, traveling to different areas in & outside of Havana, meeting different pastors & leaders, being exposed to their vision & to their various ministries, hearing their hearts, discerning opportunities for future mission ventures, and speaking and sharing wherever & whenever God gave opportunity. During the course of the week, we attended house church meetings, addressed youth gatherings, spoke to a group of brand new Christians, participated in an inner-city ministry to prostitutes, drug addicts & alcoholics, and preached & sang during regular church worship services. It was a rewarding time of relationship-building, encouragement & spiritual renewal.

There are many things about our experiences in Cuba and our friends there that I can’t post on the Internet. Thus, I’ll reserve those comments for unrecorded, oral communication only. Over the next few days, however, I do hope to share with you some written reflections and remembrances of our island neighbor to the south, for Cuba and its residents are truly a land and a people that God has put on our hearts.

Pastor Danny