Closed Door, Open Sidewalk: How God Turned a Setback into a Greater Gospel Opportunity at the 2026 Texas FFA Convention

For many years, the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) has had the privilege of exhibiting at the Texas FFA Convention, sharing the Gospel through Wordless Message bracelets, Christian literature, and conversations that pointed students to Jesus Christ. The booth also introduced students and advisors to opportunities for Christian service, missions, and agricultural ministry.

This year, however, the ministry faced an unexpected challenge.

A Closed Door

The 2026 Texas FFA Convention was held July 6–10 in Fort Worth, Texas, with more than 18,000 FFA students, advisors, exhibitors, and guests in attendance.

Earlier this year, FCFI volunteer and retired agricultural educator Art Free learned that FCFI would not be permitted to exhibit at the convention. After seeking clarification, FCFI was informed that exhibitor participation would be limited to organizations that directly aligned with the convention’s mission.

While disappointed, the team accepted the decision and chose not to dwell on the setback. Instead, they asked, “Lord, what door are You opening instead?”

A New Opportunity

Rather than giving up, Art explored the possibility of ministering from the public sidewalks outside the convention center.

After consulting with the City of Fort Worth, the team confirmed that distributing free literature on public sidewalks was permitted, provided pedestrian traffic remained unobstructed and no displays or tables were used.

With that approval, preparations began.

To explain FCFI’s absence from the exhibit hall, Art and Dan Janzen created an informational flyer affirming the ministry’s continued support for Texas FFA students.

Susan Free also developed a simple but effective outreach strategy. Instead of handing out individual items, volunteers assembled clear bags containing an FCFI Operator Manual, a Gospel tract, an informational flyer, a Wordless Message bracelet, a “Little Jesus” figure, and other ministry resources. She also modified bright yellow safety vests by adding large pockets, allowing volunteers to carry dozens of outreach packets while remaining highly visible.

Family members joined in assembling nearly 1,000 packets before the convention began.

A Greater Gospel Impact

From July 7–9, Art Free, Susan Free, and Jeff Goss stationed themselves on the sidewalk between the parking garage and the convention entrance, where thousands of students walked each day.

The response exceeded expectations.

The first 1,000 outreach packets disappeared within hours. Each evening, the team prepared more packets, while Dennis Schlagel arranged overnight shipments of additional ministry materials and other supplies were purchased locally. By the end of the event, volunteers had distributed more than 3,000 Gospel packets—far more than they typically shared from an exhibit booth.

Just as valuable were the many conversations with students, advisors, parents, and guests. After reading the informational flyer, many stopped to ask questions, express encouragement, and voice their support for FCFI.

Lessons Learned

The outreach demonstrated how God can open unexpected doors for ministry.

The sidewalk location placed volunteers directly along one of the convention’s busiest walkways, allowing them to connect with thousands of students entering the event. Their visible safety vests and easy-to-carry outreach packets made distribution both simple and effective.

The team also realized they had underestimated the demand. With only three volunteers and limited supplies, many students entering through other entrances could not be reached. Looking back, they believe that with additional volunteers and materials, they could have distributed as many as 10,000 Gospel packets.

God Turned a Setback into a Blessing

Reflecting on the experience, Jeff Goss summarized the week by saying,

“What was meant for evil, God turned into good.”

Art Free shared the same perspective. His desire was never to create conflict but simply to let students know that FCFI continues to care about them and remains committed to sharing the Gospel wherever God provides an opportunity.

What first appeared to be a closed door became one of FCFI’s most fruitful Texas FFA outreaches. Instead of ministering from an exhibit booth, volunteers met students face-to-face on the sidewalks, distributed thousands of Gospel resources, and witnessed firsthand how God can use unexpected circumstances for His glory.

As Art concluded in his report:

“What Satan meant as a stumbling block for FCFI was turned into a mighty blessing by God.”

Watch the Ministry Update

Hear directly from Jeff Goss and Art Free as they share how God worked through this year’s outreach in Fort Worth. Their testimony is a powerful reminder that God can use every circumstance for His glory and that His Word continues to transform lives wherever it is faithfully shared.

FCFI remains thankful for the opportunity to serve Texas FFA students over the years and continues to pray for its students, advisors, volunteers, and leadership. We also pray that the thousands of Gospel seeds planted during this outreach will bear lasting fruit for the Kingdom of God.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)