Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola hosted its annual First Responder Sunday, a heartfelt gathering dedicated to honoring and praying for the brave men and women who serve and protect our community.
The event brought together first responders, their families, and members of the church and broader community for a time of gratitude, encouragement, and connection.
Special guest speaker Kelly Burke, a Tallahassee native and retired Captain of the Tallahassee Police Department, shared a powerful and timely message. Drawing from his 25-year career in law enforcement, Burke reminded the audience, “If the only answers you have are from yourself, the world will take you down. Your answers come from above.” He credited his resilience during years of high-stress service to the truths found in Psalm 73:26 and John 10:10.
Burke, who retired in 2007, now serves as the lead Chaplain for the Tallahassee Police Department and volunteers with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team—a crisis ministry launched by Franklin Graham through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The team deploys crisis-trained chaplains across the nation to provide emotional and spiritual care to those impacted by disasters, tragedies, and crises, with a strong emphasis on supporting law enforcement officers and their families.
As a gesture of appreciation, each first responder received a Special Edition Challenge Coin, enjoyed complimentary family portraits, and was treated to a traditional Southern Baptist meal.
“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who selflessly serve our community every day,” said Pastor Gordon Godfrey. “We want every first responder to know how deeply we appreciate their service and sacrifice.”
