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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF PASTOR JOHN POWELL
______
HON. KEVIN BRADY
of texas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of an
incredible servant, John Powell, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist
Church of New Caney, Texas.
After stopping on the roadside to help someone in distress, Pastor
Powell was tragically killed when he was struck by a passing truck.
Robert Downen, a reporter with the Houston Chronicle, wrote a very
touching article about Pastor Powell's life and the example he set for
others--one of selfless service. According to Robert Downen's account,
Pastor Powell and a friend were driving in Sherman, Texas, when they
spotted a car catch fire on the side of the road. Pastor Powell
immediately stopped, grabbed his emergency kit bag and rushed to help.
Just as he and his friend arrived at the scene, the brakes failed on an
approaching semi-truck and it veered toward the group. Pastor Powell
took decisive action and was able to push one individual out of the
way, saving their life. Unfortunately, the young pastor was unable to
get out of the way himself, and was killed.
Pastor Powell grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he knew from a
young age that he wanted to pursue ministry. That desire led him to
enroll in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville,
Kentucky where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. While at the
seminary, he showed his care and concern for those less fortunate and
began leading worship services at local homeless shelters.
After graduation, Powell took on a challenging assignment and became
the pastor of a small Baptist church in the West Texas town of Hamlin.
When later reflecting on the lessons he learned during that time,
Powell said, ``Success is faithfulness, even when it's hard, even when
you want to give up.''
In 2016, Powell and his family moved to the Eighth Congressional
District of Texas, where he established the Emmanuel Baptist Church in
New Caney. Over the years, Powell grew this small church into a pillar
of the community and guided his 140 members to walk in the light of the
Lord, and in fellowship with one another.
Those who knew Pastor Powell remember him as bright, passionate, and
warm-hearted. Many spoke of him as, ``the best man [they've] ever
known.'' Andrew Walker, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, said of Powell, ``In every sphere of life where he had
influence, he always wielded it for the betterment of others.''
The Houston Chronicle reported that in Pastor Powell's final sermon
before his death, he preached from Psalm 72, saying that, ``in the poor
man's distress, Christians might be there'' and asked his congregation,
``How could we pray that God would have compassion on those that need
it while not having that compassion on them ourselves?'' To those who
knew him, it was no surprise that Pastor John Powell stopped on the
side of a road to help someone in distress. He died as he lived--
helping others. He was a man of faith and faithfulness who had
compassion for others, and who willingly risked and ultimately
sacrificed his own life so that others might live. He was a hero. He
leaves a legacy of selfless service and compassion. His life was a true
example of Christian love and sacrifice, values that we would all do
well to reflect on and try to emulate.
Pastor Powell is survived by his wife, Katherine, and their four
beautiful children. I join the Powell family, the Emmanuel Baptist
Church, and the entire community of New Caney in mourning this tragic
loss. May God bless Pastor John Powell.
____________________