Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-09-16

HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER

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On 2026-09-16, Representative Cleo Fields (D-LA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER" in the House.

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HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E948] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Covenant Christian Center and its founding Pastor, Michael Smith, for more than two decades of faithful ministry born from a divine vision and carried forward through years of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the people of Baker and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On December 28, 2002, at 4:00 a.m., God awakened Pastor Smith and began to speak to him concerning a vision, instructing him to locate the scriptures that would become the foundation of his ministry and giving him the name New Covenant Christian Center. Pastor Smith carried this vision quietly, trusting that it was ordained for an appointed time. Remarkably, several anointed men and women of God who did not personally know Pastor Smith spoke prophetically about this very vision, and on December 8, 2001, his own pastor, Bishop Mary Alexander, likewise revealed the vision to him during a worship service, confirming what God had already spoken. In July 2003, Pastor Smith relocated to his home state of Louisiana, where God revealed that this would be the place where New Covenant Christian Center would be born. Throughout August 2003, Pastor Smith entered a season of spiritual fasting and consecration, seeking instruction, and it was during this time that God revealed to him the why, the how, and the when of the ministry to come. On Wednesday, October 1, 2003, Pastor Smith held the first Bible study meeting at the Cathedral of Faith on Oswego Street in Baton Rouge, gathered with family members and a few close friends. The following week, the meeting moved to the House of God Church on Paige Street in Baton Rouge, where it continued to grow as many were saved, set free, delivered, and changed by God's Word. On February 1, 2004, the ministry held its first official worship service on Main Street in Baker, Louisiana. As the congregation grew in faith and in number, New Covenant Christian Center acquired five acres of land in Baker on September 2, 2005, for its future church home, and that land was paid in full by February 2006. On January 15, 2008, the ministry closed on a 14,000- square-foot building on East Myrtle Avenue in Baker, which would be renovated to become its new sanctuary. Renovations began on May 5, 2008, and on Sunday, April 5, 2009, the congregation held its first official service in the new sanctuary, where Pastor Smith delivered the anointed and powerful message, ``He Brought Us!!'' New Covenant Christian Center has continued to expand its reach in the years since. On January 10, 2010, the ministry launched the Victory & Hope Television Broadcast, airing every Sunday on WBRL at 7:00 a.m. and extending the ministry's message well beyond its sanctuary walls. Recognizing the growing demand for Pastor Smith's anointed leadership, the ministry expanded its borders to the greater Baton Rouge area on October 17, 2010, with the birth of Jericho International Ministries, its second location. From a vision given in the middle of the night to a thriving ministry with two locations and a growing television broadcast, New Covenant Christian Center and Jericho International Ministries stand as a testament to what can happen when faith and obedience meet divine purpose. True to their calling, this ministry remains committed to leading lives unto Jesus Christ, reaching the lost, and increasing the Kingdom of God. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pastor Michael Smith, New Covenant Christian Center, and Jericho International Ministries for more than two decades of vision, faith, and devoted service to the people of Baker, Baton Rouge, and the surrounding Louisiana community. May God continue to grace this ministry with His favor and anointing for many years to come. ____________________

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HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E948] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER ______ HON. CLEO FIELDS of louisiana in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Mr. FIELDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Covenant Christian Center and its founding Pastor, Michael Smith, for more than two decades of faithful ministry born from a divine vision and carried forward through years of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the people of Baker and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On December 28, 2002, at 4:00 a.m., God awakened Pastor Smith and began to speak to him concerning a vision, instructing him to locate the scriptures that would become the foundation of his ministry and giving him the name New Covenant Christian Center. Pastor Smith carried this vision quietly, trusting that it was ordained for an appointed time. Remarkably, several anointed men and women of God who did not personally know Pastor Smith spoke prophetically about this very vision, and on December 8, 2001, his own pastor, Bishop Mary Alexander, likewise revealed the vision to him during a worship service, confirming what God had already spoken. In July 2003, Pastor Smith relocated to his home state of Louisiana, where God revealed that this would be the place where New Covenant Christian Center would be born. Throughout August 2003, Pastor Smith entered a season of spiritual fasting and consecration, seeking instruction, and it was during this time that God revealed to him the why, the how, and the when of the ministry to come. On Wednesday, October 1, 2003, Pastor Smith held the first Bible study meeting at the Cathedral of Faith on Oswego Street in Baton Rouge, gathered with family members and a few close friends. The following week, the meeting moved to the House of God Church on Paige Street in Baton Rouge, where it continued to grow as many were saved, set free, delivered, and changed by God's Word. On February 1, 2004, the ministry held its first official worship service on Main Street in Baker, Louisiana. As the congregation grew in faith and in number, New Covenant Christian Center acquired five acres of land in Baker on September 2, 2005, for its future church home, and that land was paid in full by February 2006. On January 15, 2008, the ministry closed on a 14,000- square-foot building on East Myrtle Avenue in Baker, which would be renovated to become its new sanctuary. Renovations began on May 5, 2008, and on Sunday, April 5, 2009, the congregation held its first official service in the new sanctuary, where Pastor Smith delivered the anointed and powerful message, ``He Brought Us!!'' New Covenant Christian Center has continued to expand its reach in the years since. On January 10, 2010, the ministry launched the Victory & Hope Television Broadcast, airing every Sunday on WBRL at 7:00 a.m. and extending the ministry's message well beyond its sanctuary walls. Recognizing the growing demand for Pastor Smith's anointed leadership, the ministry expanded its borders to the greater Baton Rouge area on October 17, 2010, with the birth of Jericho International Ministries, its second location. From a vision given in the middle of the night to a thriving ministry with two locations and a growing television broadcast, New Covenant Christian Center and Jericho International Ministries stand as a testament to what can happen when faith and obedience meet divine purpose. True to their calling, this ministry remains committed to leading lives unto Jesus Christ, reaching the lost, and increasing the Kingdom of God. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pastor Michael Smith, New Covenant Christian Center, and Jericho International Ministries for more than two decades of vision, faith, and devoted service to the people of Baker, Baton Rouge, and the surrounding Louisiana community. May God continue to grace this ministry with His favor and anointing for many years to come. ____________________