Local first responders including volunteers, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement and firefighters were treated to a special Appreciation Dinner given on Tuesday night at the First Baptist Church in Indianola. In addition to the delicious meal, the local heroes got to hear from one of their own who has also responded to a different type of call out.
Jon Daniels, a pastor and 23-year veteran firefighter, who now serves as chaplain and firefighter with the Byram Fire Department delivered an inspirational message to Sunflower County's elite group of rescue workers during the program sponsored by the church's Sunday School ministry.
His message to the first responders touched on the need for the group to take some time to focus on themselves. "We give a lot to our communities and a lot to our people in our communities, doing what we are doing," he said. He stressed that no matter what role they played, they all give a lot. “What I want you to do tonight, since the focus is usually on someone else, whether minor or major, unless your pager goes off or a call comes in, I want you to for just a few minutes focus on yourself."
He acknowledged that for some that may be a difficult thing to do, but he advised them to think about the needs they have in their personal life. He told them, “All of us are jacked up in some way.” He mentioned life changes and what he called “the stuff of life” and said it affects marriages, work and family.
He mentioned the myriad of emotions that first responders experience when they are reporting to a scene. He said some situations evoke anger, when they consider the circumstances that people may have gotten themselves into and at other times it’s sadness over the living conditions and the struggles that some of those they are striving to help experience.
Referring to advice from his former fire chief, he advised the group to “Keep your head on a swivel” in their personal lives. He said there are pitfalls that can really mess things up “royally.”
He suggested that each of them be aware of the dangers in his or her own life. “Watch out for dangerous situations. Think about potential areas of your life were there can be some dangers,” he said.
Engaging other components of emergency personnel training to drive home his point about taking care of themselves, he said, “Keep yourself in shape.” He also called for unity and told them to be on the lookout for the “mayday” situations because circumstances can change in an instant.
Daniels said in those situations you need to have someone that you can trust and call on, but more importantly, “You need to know when you need to call out for help,” he said.
Holding true to his original calling, he reminded them that God is always someone they can trust. And he asserted that the Bible says that the enemy of God—the devil—comes to steal, kill and destroy and that everybody has a moment when that is possible.
Daniels said he was called into the ministry when he was a junior in high school, but acknowledged that he had always wanted to be a firefighter. He said, “I love preaching, but I love being a firefighter too. A firefighter is all I ever wanted to be.”
He shared stories from his life and told them about one of his assignments where he went several years without telling any of his fellow firefighters that he was a pastor, but when people found out that he was a minister they would pull him to the side at work to talk to him about their struggles.
He talked about the beauty in the camaraderie of emergency workers, which is having people around you that are connected. And he related that to the beauty of the church, “That's the beauty of the body of Christ,” he said.
Daniels said his greatest joy is helping people when they call out for help and not just as a firefighter. He added that nothing compares to telling people about Jesus. As part of his presentation, he invited those who may not have a spiritual relationship with Christ to come forward or contact him or one of the ministers of the church afterwards.
His brother, Andy Daniels introduced him to the group and told how they would go and visit their great-aunt for Christmas as a child and that he (Andy) would always get socks, but Jon always got a Bump and Go Fire Truck. So, he presented his brother with a working model of the toy fire truck as a gift for coming to speak to the group.
Pastor Guy Burkes welcomed the first responders to First Baptist and thanked them for their continued service. And local merchants showed their appreciation by supplying a bevy of gifts and pieces that ranged from headwear to weed eaters.
