By Pete Gawda
“Jesus told us to love our neighbors,” said Senior Pastor Jon Gleason of Peak View Baptist Church. “We believe in interacting with the community.”
The church has been putting that belief into action in practical ways. Most recently, in November, Peak View provided 80 pounds of ribeye steak and all the trimmings — vegetables, salads and tea — to serve complete meals for all three shifts of Falcon firefighters at each Falcon fire station. Church members also wrote 72 handwritten notes of encouragement and supplied devotional literature for the crews.
Associate Pastor Kevin King, who led the project, said it was a way to share the Gospel while showing support for firefighters. He noted that several firefighters are part of the Peak View congregation and that firefighting is a demanding job.
Deputy Chief Jeff Petersma expressed appreciation for the church’s efforts, saying the gesture showed firefighters that the community cares and recognizes their work.
“This isn’t just one church,” Gleason added. Peak View partnered with local businesses to make the project possible. Sponsors included Breaking Barriers Fitness, Christian Brothers Automotive, County Commissioner Carrie Geitner, East Side Modern Dentistry, Falcon Family Eye Care, Ice Cryospa and Medspa, Life Network, Nana’s Kitchen, Paul Davis Restoration (Colorado Springs) and Splash Bath.
The church organizes a different community outreach each month. Previous efforts have included participating in the Monument Fourth of July parade, helping sponsor a youth basketball camp and showing appreciation for educators through a Donuts for Teachers program.
Peak View also connects with the community by serving lunch on Sundays to anyone who wants to attend. The church meets at Falcon High School at 10 a.m.; they break for lunch around noon and gathers again afterward for a short afternoon service.
Jeremy Skiver, sporting a firefighter helmet, is having fun in the firefighter truck’s drivers seat.
Nathaniel Scalf, Jameson Scalf and Charlie King learning all about the fire house from FFPD firefighters.
