So there was about 500 people at this event.
There was a message by the fire cheifs of both departments the fallen served at - as he was a full-time and volunteer firefighter. The Mason's did a funeral ritual, and the firefighters saluted their comrade. The Methodist pastor of the church he attended gave a sermon, and his nephew spoke.
You could sense the deep Faith the fire chiefs and the pastor had in Christ and the hope they had that they would see their friend again in Heaven. But as I looked around the EMT's, Firefighters, Police Officers, State Troopers, Air Evac staff, high schoolers, family and friends, I wondered how many of them understood the Hope of Salvation. They heard the Gospel preached and were encouraged to seek the Lord if they hadn't already invited Him into their hearts in a very loving, gentle, godly way.
500 people showed up to pay homage to a man who was a 'normal joe,' just a good old Kentucky boy. And when he was hospitalized due to a freak accident, the whole community responded not only to the family but to the fire department.
I hope when its my time to go I've made such a strong impact on a community, and have opened the door for at least that many people to hear the Gospel!