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My family and I were looking for a new church in the ELCA , one with young families like ours and a focus on community service. We were pointed in the direction of The Table, but as we have all learned, a global pandemic isn't the best time to meet new friends. We followed along on Facebook for a while, and we were excited to begin attending in-person services at Easter. We're so happy with what we found at The Table and how welcoming everyone has been.

Public service has been an important part of my life. I've been actively involved in the Fire Service for almost 25 years. I've been the Fire Chief in the Valley Township Fire Department in Montour County since 2006 and an active member of the East End Fire Company in Mahoning Township since the late '90s.  I am also a Forest Fire Warden for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and an elected Township Supervisor in Valley Township.

I recently felt called to join the team at Africa Fire Mission (AFM).  AFM is a registered 501(c)(3) Christian Organization founded in 2012 in Cincinnati to train, empower, support and encourage African firefighters in order to develop future leaders and better fire protection for African Communities. Link: https://www.africafiremission.org/

Jody and I spent almost a month in Southern Africa as a "last big adventure" before starting our family, and we both fell in love with the Continent.  The call to return to Africa, teach my passion of firefighting to those in need and to serve my Lord and share the Good News was one to which I quickly responded "Here I am, Lord."

In November, I'll be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya as part of the Instructor Cadre to teach at the All Kenya Fire and EMS Symposium, a week long firefighter training academy.  Nairobi city proper has a population of nearly 5 million people and the metropolitan area has a population of over 9 million.  Just this year the city opened new fire stations to bring the total to 5 that serve those millions of people.  Imagine responding to a fire in urban or rural Africa only to be taunted and abused because you don't have the skills or equipment to properly fight the fire.

As with most Christian Missions, it is up to the missionary to provide the funding for the Mission. I've committed to the trip, and this year's arrangements due to COVID have really condensed the timeline available for fundraising. I'm trying to raise $2000 by August 1 and another $2000 by October 1.  Any contributions will help and will allow me to continue serving this mission for years to come.  The most important thing I can ask for is prayers for our team and our mission, my family while I'm gone, and for me while I travel and serve.  I give my most heartfelt thanks for any means of support you can provide.

With Service and Praise,

Mike Kull

Fundraising Link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E351603&id=20&cfifid=25&fbclid=IwAR1c2NwrsUugXue0CumFoDjNkGx3r-MHXGxVafqc9_wOjdlT_Lc5Vv5Vulw




Ministries
Mission, Service, and Hospitality