Staff Reports
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Prayer is a daily part of Rev. Gregory Kirk's life, but he called a recent request a big honor.
Kirk, who is the executive director of the United Gospel Rescue Mission in Poplar Bluff, will give the invocation Wednesday in the Missouri House of Representatives. Speaker of the House Todd Richardson invited Kirk to open the special session of the Missouri lawmakers.
Kirk questions how many pastors are in the state of Missouri before explaining it as a big honor for him to be asked.
"I cannot begin to say how big an honor this is," Kirk said. "He could have asked anyone."
When Richardson asked him, Kirk replied, "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm really in shock he wants me to do it," Kirk said. "I really want to do it. I love Poplar Bluff and our community. I think it is really cool."
Kirk, who has been the mission's executive director for 13 years, and Richardson became acquainted before Richardson ran to represent the 152nd district in the Missouri House of Representatives in 2010.
Kirk said, Richardson "is just who he used to be. He acts like he is a regular guy."
Before moving to Poplar Bluff, Kirk served 15 year at the Sacramento, Calif., rescue mission and is a military veteran having served tours overseas. His wife of nearly four decades, Pamela, will accompany him.
This is Richardson's eighth and final year in the House.
Richardson served as the House Majority Leader for the 98th General Assembly before being elected to his current position as Speaker.