Congratulating Pastor Jim Graff and Tamara Graff on Faith Family Church's 30th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor Jim and Tamara Graff for their over 30 years of serving Faith Family Church.

Faith Family Church began with humble origins as a home Bible Study. In 1989--after favor and growth from the Lord--Faith Family Church called Pastor Jim and Tamara Graff to the Pastorate with a vision to build a Luke 14 church where people could find help, hope, and a family. On Easter Sunday 1998, Faith Family Church dedicated a new sanctuary and ministry campus with a vision to be: ``A Church with a heart for all people'' that would ``Not see through people but help see people through.''

Faith Family Church has provided Christ-centered education to equip people for a better life through Faith Academy, Destiny Bible Institute, Celebrate Recovery and hundreds of classes, workshops, and community small groups weekly. Their vision to encourage, empower, and equip overlooked churches in overlooked places has led to the development of the Significant Church Network. Their heart to further the reach of the Gospel led them to open campuses in Hallettsville and Gonzales, Texas.

The people of Faith Family provide help and assistance to the surrounding community through efforts including: Passion Week projects, Backpack outreach, Toys for Tots, Sidewalk Sunday School, Adopt-a- block, and Prison Ministry. Faith Family served as a temporary shelter in 2005 for those fleeing Hurricane Katrina and, in 2017, was a central point to coordinate relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey.

Their commitment to underserved and unreached populations across the world has built 19 Bible Schools, planted 526 churches, supported orphanages in Guatemala, and delivered aid to other parts of the world. Constructed in India, The House of Psalms 1 & 2 rescues girls from sex- trafficking, giving them an education and a new way of life.

President George Washington acknowledged that ``religion and morality are indispensable supports'' of our nation. For 30 years, Pastor Jim has committed himself to the study and sharing of Scripture, the building up of believers, and the leadership, guidance, and ministry to the staff and people of Faith Family Church. The fruit of his labor has strengthened the moral fabric here in our community and in communities around the world.

I would like to personally congratulate Pastors Jim and Tamara Graff and the people of Faith Family Church for 30 years of faithful ministry together sharing the love of Christ with their community, our nation, and the world.

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