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South Carolina Pastor Uses Fire Chief Position as an Avenue for Ministry

He explains to new trainees that they should expect to deal with a lot of low man-power situations in their emergency responses.

Despite these difficulties, Easler said he desires to use his role to “mentor younger guys and help them grow and develop.”

Easler added pastors with firefighters in the congregation have a unique opportunity to minister to these members, particularly in helping them process the traumatic experiences they often go through.

“For pastors, try to have more of an understanding about what emergency services go through in today’s world,” Easler said.

“There needs to be a level of understanding about who you have in your church, but also how to minister to those folks. It can sometimes just help to be a listening ear and a helping hand. Almost like a ministry of presence. I think pastors can be a huge help in their community in this way.”

Easler also exhorted fellow Southern Baptists to consider if fire service is the right vocation or volunteer opportunity for them.

“For the Christian, it is an opportunity to grow as a person but also to grow in your Gospel connections in the community,” he said.

“It helps you develop relationships outside of the church, but also be the hands and feet of Jesus. It really can be a Christian activity. We are there to be a help on somebody’s worst day. It will cost you and take things out of you, but I am serving others and have the opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a practical way.”

This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.