When Ricky Creech moved from fire fighting to the ministry 10 years ago, he never dreamed he would one day combine the two worlds.
But with the launching of a five-year partnership between Birmingham Baptist Association (BBA) and Metropolitan New York Baptist Association (MNYBA), firefighters will once again be a part of Creech’s life.
As part of the mutual partnership between sister associations, New York City’s Engine 40/Ladder 35 fire station was adopted.
Creech, BBA director of missions, said the partnership idea developed when Birmingham Baptists donated $70,000 to the Metropolitan New York Association following the Sept. 11 tragedy.
“When we brought the money to New York in November (which was used entirely to assist families in need), we explored the idea of a partnership,” Creech said.
Butch Henderson, BBA congregational consultant, said he and Creech met several firemen from Engine 40/Ladder 35 and learned that the station lost 12 men in one shift at the World Trade Center. “Ronnie Brock from the Church at Brook Hills (Birmingham) had spent several days ministering to these guys and had built a relationship with them following Sept. 11,” Henderson said, noting MNYBA continued that ministry once Brock returned to Birmingham.
So adopting the fire station as part of the partnership came easily, Henderson and Creech agreed.
“You are very near and dear to my heart,” Creech told the 30–35 firefighters present at the partnership kickoff banquet April 18. Also present were family members of the firefighters, BBA representatives and MNYBA representatives for a total of 76 people.
“I was really hurt by the news of Sept. 11,” Creech said. “We have been praying specifically for your ladder company and your engine company. We want to assist you any way we can.”
Birmingham assistant fire Chief Carl Harper also brought greetings to the group. “Just to be able to come here and help is an honor I will cherish for a long time,” he said.
Along with words of encouragement, the Birmingham group also gave away door prizes and gifts to all who attended.
Those attending noted appreciation for the banquet.
“It was very touching,” said Marc Morello, who lost his brother, Vincent, in the Sept. 11 tragedy.
Morello’s father, John, a retired fire chief, also expressed gratitude. “I thought it was just wonderful. For these people to come all this way and do something like this is absolutely mind boggling,” he said. “It is the little things like this that really get us through day to day.”
While the kickoff banquet focused on the fire station, the partnership also includes adopting New York City’s Police Precinct 20. A banquet will be held for them in the fall.
The fire station and police precinct are in the neighborhood of the MYNBA building
Other aspects of the partnership include leadership development initiatives among associational staff members, building and construction projects, prayer activities and church-to-church partnerships within the associations.
David Dean, MNYBA director of missions, said, “We appreciate the partnership and the encouragement. This could develop into longtime relationships.”
Noting MNYBA needs staff people for new church starts in the area, Dean asked Alabama Baptists to consider funding one or more of those positions. At the same time he said MNYBA could assist Alabama with Hispanic ministries.
Alabama native Lisa Chilson-Rose, director of volunteers and partnerships with MNYBA, believes the partnership will also help bridge the north and the south.
Chilson-Rose plans to visit Birmingham in May to promote the Alabama kickoff event, which will be held Sept. 11 at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham.
“We are organizing a living flag, similar to the living Christmas tree performed by churches,” Creech said.
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