Greetings from the missions field 12-26-2012

From the Field
I pray and trust that everyone had a wonderful and Merry Christmas. As our world gets more and more diverse, it seems like fewer people remember that we have Christmas because of Christ. Had the Son of God not came to this earth in human flesh as a baby, we would not celebrate Christmas. I praise God that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. The fire service is going through a tough time this Christmas season. Please remember to pray for the first responders in Connecticut who had to witness that evil act upon innocent children, as well as the first responders who went through that horrible event in Webster, New York. We need to be on our knees for those first responders, that God would provide them comfort.

As the new year is upon us, FCFInternational is praying and waiting to see how the Lord will use us in 2013. God has provided for this ministry since 1977, and we are thankful to Him for all He has done. Our world is rapidly changing, and we want to be able to minister to first responders in a powerful way. We serve an awesome God, and we want to share the love of God to first responders through effective ministries. Pray with us that God would show us what doors to walk through this coming year.

Currently I am finishing up an Operations Plan (OP) for the ministry. This is what will keep me on track this coming year. Pray that God will show me the way, and that this OP will be for His honor and glory. If any of you would like to provide an input, I would gladly like to use it. I plan on posting the OP in the next several weeks.

I am excited about a new program that FCFInternational is rolling out in 2013. Based on the Navigators old "Minutemen" program, our "Command Staff" program seeks to draw first responders closer to God. I am praying that God would provide 25 first responders who are serious about God. The Command Staff personnel will comit to reading their Bible daily, praying an hour a day for first responders, memorizing 1 Bible verse a week, sharing your faith with a first responder every month, and discipling 1 first responder every year. If we could find 25 committed folks to do this I believe we would begin to see changes in the fire service as a whole. Please pray with me for that.

The Family
The family is doing great. Holly recently gave her notice to Kohls department store, and will only have 1 job. Our goal is to have her retire when I do next year. Then we will be able to devote 100% of our efforts to the ministry. Please pray for our family as they are beginning to lead their own lives. For those of you that have been there it makes for challenging times. I am excited as I want to see my children grown, living on their own, and serving the Lord.

Prayer Requests

• That we would find 100 churches who are willing to support the ministry.
• 25 committed first responders for the new Command Staff program.
• The Operations Plan would be complete.
• The first Encourager would be well recieved.
• First responders would be saved.
• First responders would draw closer to God in 2013 by committing to reading their Bibles and discipling younger first responders.
• First Responder Retreat in March, that we would have 100 first responders.

Ephesians 6:10-11 - "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil"