Farm Progress Show 2018 – Boone, IA

Holly leads a group of teens, using the Wordless Walking Stick

This year’s Farm Progress Show took place August28-30 at the permament facilities near Boone, Iowa. It is the largest outdoor farm show in the United States, with almost 600 exhibitors showing the latest farm equipment and crop protection products. The Fellowship of Christian Farmers took its usual spot at the northwest corner of the show grounds, with a large, yellow and white tent.

Early Tuesday, the FCFI tent is ready for visitors. Volunteers stand by ready to give the Good News of God’s Grace using the Wordless Walking Stick.

One of the topics of conversation in the FCFI tent was our ongoing commitment to disaster relief. Fall begins the tropical storm season, and there is always great need for disaster volunteers. Hurricands, tornados, flooding, mold damage, down trees, and power outages all require clean up crews to restore our way of life. FCFI volunteers work hard to put things back in place, and offer kind words and the message of salvation to those whose lives have been disrupted by disasters.

Gary Leffler sitting on his custom painted, patriotic Ford tractor

From one of Gary’s placards:
“This patriotic tractor is a tribute to all the men and women who have served and are serving our country. It also represents the belief that God has endowed this country with religious freedom. Many of our family members answered America’s call in times of need. Such was the case with Thomas Pierce, WWI; Warren Pierce, WWII, Albert Holmes, WWII; and Dennis Glosser, Vietnam. Donald Pierce, U.S. Navy, worked on the early drone program, and Douglas Pierce served on a nuclear submarine. Doug is currently serving in the Army Reserves. Doug’s children, Rachel and Daniel, both did tours in the Middle East with the U.S. Army. Greg Pierce, U.S. Air Force, served in Alaska and Texas, and his son-in-law, Shawn, is stationed in New York and has served overseas. Scott Leffler joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after 9/11, serving two overseas tours.
My wife, Jannell Pierce Leffler and I are thankful for our country, and the men and women who have served it. Our prayers go the those who have lost loved ones in military service, the wounded soldiers, and the families who sacrifice so that their loved ones can serve the land of the free and the home of the brave.
God Bless America and Our Troops”

Dale Shurtz meets with some young children

Tuesday, the start of the show, brought heavy rain with lightning, cancelling the show for the day

The rest of the show had good weather on Wednesday and Thursday, giving many show visitors the opportunity to meed God face to face in the form of His many workers bringing in the Harvest. When the Holy Spirit brings people into the Fellowship tent, they come in for a free walking stick, but leave with the gift of salvation, for all those that believe and apply it to their lives. A big thank you to all the FCFI volunteers who fulfill the Great Commission and populate Heaven. Also, a big thanks to those who contribute to the operations of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, who without their generosity, we couldn’t serve at so many farm shows and events each year.