Jonathan Jenkins says the generation that’s coming along today will mark time by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But for his generation, it was Sept. 11, 2001, that was defining.
“I was a college freshman in 2001, and so I was just starting to pay attention to the world,” he said. “It gave me a sense of what was at stake.”
It gave Jenkins a sense of something else, too. Two decades ago, as he watched the two commercial jets fly into the Twin Towers in New York City — and then watched first responders risk their lives to save as many people as they could — the experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for that kind of sacrifice.
“It’s the kind of sacrifice Christians would do well to embody in all different areas of life — that willingness to be sacrificial in their service in the name of Christ for their fellow man,” he said.
So four years later, Jenkins became a pastor so he could preach every Sunday about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. And five years after that, when he was presented with the opportunity to become a volunteer firefighter, he said yes to that too.
‘In the crucible with them’
“I started getting involved there at the station and absolutely fell in love with it,” said Jenkins, pastor of First Baptist Church Kinston. “The camaraderie, the difficulty, the ability to be able to help and see somebody’s bad day go from horrible to a little bit better because of our efforts — it’s a blessing.”
And it provides opportunities to share the love and truth of Christ. He says when his fellow firefighters “know you’re in the truck with them, you’re in the crucible with them and you’re there for them, it provides a lot of opportunities to share with them.” He’s now the chaplain of the Kinston Volunteer Fire Department, too.
And last year, Jenkins got to be a part of sharing that truth with an even bigger crowd while they honored the men who gave their lives on that defining moment 20 years ago. As part of the 9-11 Stair Memorial Climbs, he and nearly 400 others across 11 states climbed 110 flights of stairs to commemorate the climb of the first responders who went up into Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
Jenkins took part in the event held at a resort in Panama City that had 11 flights of stairs. He and other firefighters — some in full turnout gear, others in workout clothes — along with other first responders and volunteers climbed the 11 flights of stairs 10 times.
The event honored those who gave their lives and also raised money for the national fallen Firefighters Foundation and Emerald Coast First Responders Association.
Marking 20th anniversary
“I did this climb specifically as a firefighter to help commemorate the service of those who lost their lives and to point those around me to the value of sacrificial service,” Jenkins said.
When he reached out to organizers before the event, they asked him to serve as event chaplain, and as part of the opening ceremony he led the blessing of the helmets and patches. He will do that again this year as he and others remember the 20 year anniversary of the attacks.
“I took this opportunity to point everyone in attendance to the earthly example of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9-11-01, but most importantly to the eternal example of Jesus surrendering His life on Calvary so that others may live and have life eternal, abundant and free,” Jenkins said.
For more information, visit www.firehero.org/events/9-11-stair-climbs.
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