Indiana Congressman Honored for Christian Statesmanship
by Jenni Parker
May 12, 2004
(AgapePress) - A congressman from Indiana is being recognized for his character, leadership, integrity and willingness to follow God's call in public service.Representative John Hostettler of Indiana has been named 2004's "Distinguished Christian Statesman" by the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship (CSS). Since 1996 the Center has honored public officials whose exemplary service to God and country sets a high standard and an example for others to follow. In a press statement about the selection of Hostettler for the honor, the Center refers to the congressman as one who is "helping to show the way for all who guide our nation right now."
According to CSS executive director George Roller, it is the Center's philosophy that any leader who serves in government is a minister, with the added duty of "doing 'business' God's way." Roller says Hostettler was chosen for the Distinguished Christian Statesman award because "his commitment to Christ and love of country compel him to stand for truth and righteousness in government."
In an Associated Press interview, Roller notes that Hostettler was elected to Congress some ten years ago, after having attended one of Rev. D. James Kennedy's "Reclaiming America" conferences. The director of CSS describes the Center's 2004 honoree as "a man of prayer," and a scholarly man who knows the Bible well and believes it is a blueprint for a godly society.
"When [John Hostettler] has to make decisions on Capitol Hill, he always prays about those decisions and seeks God's guidance and direction," Roller says, adding, "This is a person, though flawed -- he is not perfect because none of us are -- but here's a person who's striving to serve Christ in the public arena."
In response to being named as this year's award recipient, the Indiana congressman is characteristically meek. "I recognize that God has me in this particular ministry not only to do the right thing legislatively, but also to allow his Holy Spirit to work in me," he says. "I have an opportunity to give a reason for the hope that is within me."
The presentation of the 2004 Distinguished Christian Statesman award is scheduled to take place this evening (Wednesday) on Capitol Hill at a 6:00 p.m. reception in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building. Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church will be on hand to present the award to Congressman Hostettler, with several Washington leaders, members of the House of Representatives, and their staffs also in attendance.
Past recipients of the award include Attorney General John Ashcroft (1996), former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (1997), Senator Sam Brownback (2000), former Congressman J.C. Watts (2001), and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James (2003).
