Our Founder

What a blessing I had yesterday to talk to Bob Crum one of the founders of FCFInternational. He is truly a man after God's own heart. I listened as he retold the story of how FCFInternational got started. It was like I was in the store with him and Duncan as they shared what God was doing in their lives. How thankful Bob was to God for bringing firefighters to their first Bible study. After talking to Bob I felt that I was apart of something really special, something big. After thinking about it for awhile I came to the conclusion that we are all part of something special. God has allowed FCFInternational to exist in order to bring glory to His name in the fire service. When we meet for prayer breakfast, or Bible study we are apart of the command Jesus gave to His disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 15:16). So as we struggle and get discouraged in our small groups, be encouraged Jesus also told us; "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

I have also recently enjoyed reading some of the old Encouragers that Bob Crum wrote, as well as the goals for God's new organization (1977). Some of the goals are mine as well. Bob wanted to see local groups meeting together for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. We need that more than ever in the fire service. It is tough being a first responder these days. Some days it seems like everyone is against us. But I am thankful that God is not finished with any of us. He desires that daily we become more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone to read his/her Bible and to find a Christian friend in the fire service. In the military they call them "battle buddies". "Battle buddies" are friends who look out for one another both in the good times and bad. Someone they can count on when thing go bad, someone who has their back during the battle. You can not win a battle by yourself, it takes a well trained team who knows what to do. Folks, we are in a spiritual battle within the fire service. So let me encourage you today to grab a "battle buddy" and your Bible and encourage one another in the things of the Lord. You won't be dissapointed.

As I begin this ministry, God's ministry to the fire service, I want to be mindful that this ministry is filled with all sorts of people. The fire service is very diverse, and I would like to be able to minister to all types of first responders So here is where you come in. How can I better minister to those first responders? As an organization how do we meet the needs of firefighters? As you will notice, you can make comments to these posts. I encourage you to do that. Let me know what direction this ministry should take. Thanks for taking a few moments and sharing what God has laid on your heart.

Together let's make encouragement contagious!

Week 2

Reflections from the Mission Field

I just came home from church (Grace Baptist of Lauerel, Maryland). What a blessing to be among God's people in order to worship His most holy Name. I pray that those who are reading this post attended a worship service. Today we were blessed to have a missionary from Ghana West Africa. As he was sharing what God had laid on his heart I couldn't help but think of FCFInternational. I began to pray about the possibility of our members serving on a missions trip to Accra, the capital city. I asked our speaker if they have firefighters in Accra, and he said absolutely it is a large city after all. So let's pray together that FCFInternational might be able to minister to firefighters in West Africa.

This week has been a little challanging for the office transition. As I am beginning to set up the International off in Arnold, Maryland I am being reminded of red tape. It is going much slower than I would like. Pray that God would grant me patients, and everything would finish up smoothly. I was able to set up out PO Box. It was an interesting process that had me scratching my head and asking why quite a bit. Praise God we were able to get one sooner rather than later. FCFInternationals new address is:

Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International
PO Box 490
Arnold, MD 21012

Our second phone line has been a bit delayed, but Lord willing should be installed Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Once that is finished we can begin to take calls for FCFInternational on the 800 number. Speaking of calls, I am really enjoying calling folks of FCFInternational. I love to be able to encourage everyone and to get to know each and everyone of you. I pray that as the busy work of the office move is complete I can consentrate more on the ministry to firefighters. The fire service needs to hear about Jesus Christ and how He died for sins, was burried, and rose again the third day. I look forward to that wonderful reunion in the sky. I hear that retired firefighters love to get together once a year for a renion in order to see old friends and talk about the good ole days. Those reunions pale in comparison to the one God is planning.

I thank God for everyone that visits this site. I pray that you will be blessed by hearing what God is doing in the fire service. I plan to be able to tell you every detail once the office transition is complete. We are an international organization that seeks to encourage first responders to glorify God. This blog has already been a blessing to me as there has been 8 from Russia, 4 from Germany, 1 from Papa New Guinea, and 1 from Portugal. If any of those folks are firefighters and would love some more information about our group just let me know and I will be happy to help.

I pray that each of you would read God's Word the Bible everyday, and regularly attend a worship service that faithfully preaches from the Bible. I also pray that each of you would find a way to encourage a first responder today.

Let's make encouragement contagious in the fire service.

Firefighter Retreat

The annual firefighter retreat is set for Friday March 22 through Sunday March 24, 2012. This years retreat will be held in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and all firefighters and first responders are welcome. The retreat features cabins for the lady firefighters and seperate cabins for the men. There is also available 10 motel rooms available for fathers who want to bring their daughters and mothers who want to bring their sons. Couples may also stay in the motels. Our goal is to bring firefighters together for a weekend away from the world. There will be classes on taking care of our own, taking care of our health, and taking care of our spiritual life.There will be plenty of time for archery, rifle shooting, firefighter games, food, and fellowship. If you would like more information please e-mail me at fcfihq@aol.com

Don't be scared come out and enjoy the good wholesome Christian firefighter experience.

Let's make encouragement contagious in the fire service.

Week 1

Reflections from the missions field

Not everyone thinks of the fire service as a missions field, but I do. The fire service currently has 1.4 million firefighters according to NFPA 2010 statistics. This number does not even include the EMS only component of first responders. The fire service has 51,300 stations that house approximately that house 66,800 pumpers, 6,800 aerial apparatus, and 72,800 other types of suppression apparatus. Again these statistics do not account for EMS equipment. FCFinternational does want to minister to all first responders, and I will try and find out some of those statistics. So yes, the fire service is our missions field. FCFinternational has a passion to reach first responders for Jesus Christ. We want to be an organization to encourage first responders to have a personal relationship with God, through His Son Jesus Christ.

So what a missions field we have. The fire service is a unique missions field. There are firefighters from all walks of life, different politacal views, various religious faiths, and a wide opinion on how to live life. So how do we minister to firefighters and first responders? I believe that we have to go back to a common denominator, something we all should be able to agree on. That common denominator is the very Word of God, the Bible. That is why FCFInternational has always been dedicated to getting the Bible into the hands of first responders. Whether that is through station Bibles or with the smaller personal Answering the Call Bibles. Through the years FCFInternational has been faithful in doing just that. As the new President/Missionary I want to continue that effort until every firefighter has been given a Bible and every station has one for members to read. Impossible you say. I am reminded of Jeremiah in chapter 32 and verse 17 where Jeremiah declares; "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You". I believe it, God will allow us to accomplish His will in this goal.

I am thankful to God to have been selected as the new President/Missionary of FCFInternational. I am also humbled because of the enormous responsibility that goes along with it. Please pray for myself and my wife Holly as we transition into this position. I am confident that God will do mighty things for the fire service, and I am blessed to be a small part of it. Pray that Holly and I would truly have servants hearts as we serve first responders. Pray also that we would push aside our wants and desires for FCFInternational as we seek to follow God's plan for the fire service. Together we can do mighty things through God for first responders.

I want to be faithful in letting you know what we have been doing all week. This past week has been one in which I found myself doing a whole lot of running around. Since FCFInternational has always been in Colorado, a lot of work is needed to bring it to Maryland. So I have been opening up bank accounts, looking into office equipment, and getting the new office set up. This week I hope to finsh all of that and begin to minister to first responders. Once I get our new address I will share it with everyone. So please pray that I would finish up the administrative things this week and that the transition would not be too costly for FCFInternational. I am thankful to God how he has always been faithful to our organization, providing for all of our needs. I am also thankful that Gay and Sue are patient with me and are doing so much behind the seen work in order to make for a smooth transition. I am not sure that all of our members even realize the work that Gay and Sue have done over the years to keep FCFInternational going. If you get a chance, give them a word of encouragement they deserve it.

Finally, I would like to use this forum to be accountable to God and the membership of FCFInternational. So please feel free to ask me any question that you believe is important in order to keep me accountable. Currently my personal devotions have been in Jeremiah. I have just finished reading Jeremiah, and I am in the process of memorizing several verses from the book. As I read Jeremiah I was amazed at how the people of God was worshipping idols. The judgement that followed was totally deserved. Then I began to think of us first responders in the fire service. How many of us have also set up idols? God would be just and right to judge us as he did the Isrealites. I am thankful for God's grace and how He is patient with firefighters. It made me want to search my personal life and tear down any idols I might have set up. I want God to be pleased with everything I do. How about you? What idols do you need to tear down. Don't take my word for it, read Jeremiah yourself. So let me know how I can better serve you. I want our organization to continue to be about encouraging one another, which is what the Bible encourages us to do.

Let's make encouragement contagious in the fire service

Craig

Station Bibles

The Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International is celebrating 35 years of ministering to first responders in the fire service.  One of the original ministries has been to give out station Bibles to those who would like them. If the fire chief or president of the fire department signs off, we will provide them for free. Recently our Charolette, North Carolina chapter gave out 23 Station Bibles. My prayer is that this ministry will continue with our organization. Please join me in praying that we would be able to place a Bible in every firehouse in America. Anybody know how many fire stations there are in America? Some of our members also give out smaller answering the call Bibles. Check out our website www.fellowshipofchristianfirefighters.com

Welcome to the new place to view what is happening with the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International.  I am your new President/Missionary Elect, and I look forward to serving alongside each and everyone of you.  Please pray that God would continue to bless our ministry as we minister to first responders.  I hope you look forward to seeing what is going on each Monday with FCFI.  May God bless each and everyone of you.

Craig Duck