Northwest Bible Baptist Church to host First Responders Appreciation Day
On Sunday, Sept. 11, Northwest Bible Baptist Church in Elgin is hosting a "First Responders Appreciation Day" as part of a special 10:45 a.m. service, to commemorate the 15th year anniversary of 9/11.
Last fall, the church celebrated a "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" honoring police officers and their families who attended from 17 different jurisdictions. The response was so positive from that event that the church decided to include firefighters and emergency medical services personnel and their families with those in law enforcement in this year's special commemoration.
Invitations to the event have been extended to all first responder stations in 26 northwestern suburban communities, along with those of the Illinois State Police and Kane County Sheriff's Department, when special recognition and gifts will be given to them. The church will also host a special lunch for these first responders and their families afterward, when they will be honored in other ways.
"As the 15th year anniversary of 9/11 approaches, terrorist attacks are intensifying all over the world, and there is also more negative attention and attacks on law enforcement officers here in America," said Rev. Keith Gomez, Northwest's pastor of 35 years, who himself served as a firefighter and EMT in the Baton Rouge area, where several of his cousins are involved in law enforcement. "We want all first responders to know that we at Northwest Bible Baptist Church appreciate them and their putting their lives on the line every day to protect us, our loved ones, and our property," he continued. "We want to honor them and their families on this 9/11 15th year anniversary day in a very special, tangible way."
The church is located at 9N889 Nesler Road on the far west side of Elgin. The public is invited to join the folks of Northwest in honoring these first responders and their families at this special service. For information, call the church at (847) 695-6222, ext. 2011, or visit www.nwbbc.com.