Wow has time got away from me or what? Seems like forever in updating you all about what is happening in the field. Even though I have been silent in my reporting its not for a lack of activity. I have been scrambling around like a mad man in search of hidden treasure. Holly and I recently came back from Indianapolis where we attended the annual FDIC conference. What a blessing to see so many old friends and talk to some new folks along the way. We had many contacts, each with their own level of enthusiasm. Some firefighters wanted to start a new chapter and others wanted to learn more about the Bible studies and devotions we put out. Our prayer is still to equip firefighters to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, whether that is through salvation or through growing in their faith.
Two conversations I would love to share with you and ask for your prayers for the ministry opportunities. First, we met a firefighter who belongs to an organization called African Fire Missions. This group goes over to Africa once a year to train firefighters. We are going to partner with them in order to share the love of Jesus with these firefighters once the training is over for the day. I believe God has opened a door wide open for us to walk through and I am planning on going over in November with the team. Our ministry will also be providing Bibles and other resources for the firefighters. Please pray that others from our ministry might join us.
The second conversation involved a believer from China who lives in Canada and works for a fire tool company. He stopped by our booth asking if we would be interested in training Chinese firefighters in hopes of also sharing the Gospel with them. This would be a complicated arrangement as the government is still not totally behind Christianity and the firefighters are actually soldiers in the army. Of course I said sure, God will have work out all of the details but I am excited about this open door. The very cool thing about this potential ministry is the fire tool company would actually pay our way over there because in order for us to go it would have to be a business venture. Please pray that God would continue to keep this door open and we would have more conversations with this believer.
The devotional book is in the final stages of approval by the publisher and I am excited about its release. My prayer is that God would use this to strengthen firefighters faith in God and help them to regularly read and study their Bibles. I have been praying that we get a million into the hands of first responders all over the world. Our goal is to begin another 90 Days of Encouragement soon.
I am excited about the addition of someone to head up our prayer team. For several years we have been lacking in this field and it is so important for our ministry to be praying for its members. John Schultz will be putting out a weekly prayer journal and establishing a prayer team that will go right to work when called upon. I have been praying for addition leaders to step up and help out the ministry. Please pray that God would challenge some of our members to begin to serve. I am thankful for our leadership team we have in place now but am mindful of the needs ahead. Our mission field has 1.4 million firefighters alone in America and who knows how many around the world. The times short and we need faithful members who are willing to go to work for God.
There is so much more going on, and I need to be more faithful in regularly updating you. Please join me in prayer for our ministry and help us to meet the needs of first responders giving them hope in a dark world.
Craig W. Duck
President/Missionary
FCFInternational
443-336-9859
www.fellowshipofchristianfirefighters.org
