Gospel Encounters at the 2025 Troy Fair – by Michael and Karen Steele

Two FCFI witnesses are busy sharing the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ at the FCFI tent at the 2025 Troy Fair!

The Pennsylvania Northern Tier Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) was blessed to attend the 2025 Troy Fair in Troy, PA, held July 21–27. Each day from 10 AM to 10 PM, the FCFI tent served as a place of ministry and encouragement, where the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ was shared with all who stopped by.

We are grateful for our faithful volunteers who made this outreach possible: Michael and Karen Steele, David and Sally Good, and Ed Terrel.

Throughout the week, God opened doors for powerful Gospel conversations and memorable encounters:

• A Young Camper’s Joy: One day, a mother and her daughter were walking past the FCFI tent. The daughter’s eyes lit up as she looked toward the display. Suddenly, she broke away from her mother and ran straight into the tent to volunteer Michael Steele. Smiling brightly, she announced, “I was at church camp last week!” Michael noticed the Bible verse on her shirt, knelt down, and affirmed how she was living that very verse in that moment. Her mother soon joined them, smiling with joy at her daughter’s enthusiasm.
  
• Hunter’s Salvation: Another mother came with her son, Hunter, and her daughter. Karen Steele shared the Gospel with them, and while mom and sister had already trusted Christ, Hunter was eager to respond. Having learned about Jesus in after-school classes, Hunter was ready to make his decision. With his mother’s help, he prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior. The whole family rejoiced together, especially mom, who was thrilled to see her son take this step of faith.
  
• Wordless Witness: A girl stopped by the tent looking for a Wordless Walking Stick but noticed a gel bracelet on the table. Her excitement over the bracelet opened the door for sharing the message of the Gospel through its colors.
  
• Therapist’s Recommendation: Two children, about 12 and 13 years old, came with their parents. What made the visit remarkable was the parents’ testimony—that their children’s therapist had specifically recommended they stop by the FCFI tent. What a unique way God uses unexpected channels to draw people to Himself!
  
• A Child’s Excitement About Heaven: In another encounter, a family gathered as Michael Steele explained the Wordless Book colors. When the little boy heard that the white bead represented Jesus’ robe, he was told that one day he too would receive a white robe in heaven. His face lit up, and he shouted with excitement, “Yay!” What a reminder for all believers to share in that same joy and anticipation of our eternal hope in Christ.

The Troy Fair was more than an agricultural event—it became a place where the seed of the Gospel was planted in hearts, families rejoiced together in faith, and children expressed the pure joy of knowing Jesus.

“Shouldn’t all Christians be this excited about Jesus?”

Now onto some great scenes and stories from the tent:

A Pastor and his family stop to hear the message. Their church was in one of the buildings at the fair. The Pastor came back later with his wife to see the FCFI ministry

Three young adults listen as FCFI witness Sally Good shares the message of the beads

One of the fair gate workers stopped by several times at the FCFI booth. When asked if she had a Bible she said no. Here, FCFI witness Sally Good (left) gives her a new Bible!

Above: A husband and wife receive the salvation message of Lord Jesus Christ from FCFI witness and local farmer Ed Terrel (right).

Three young men get walking sticks and the Gospel message of Lord Jesus Christ from FCFI witness Karen Steele

More Gospel Encounters at the Troy Fair

God’s Spirit continued to move throughout the week in the FCFI tent, drawing hearts to Jesus in powerful ways.

• A Moving Moment at the Jesus Box: One man stopped to look inside the “Jesus Box” (which reads: “Look Inside To See Who Jesus Died For!”). When he saw his own reflection, he choked up with tears. With great emotion, he whispered, “That is beautiful!”
  
• Visitors from Washington, D.C.: A family visiting from the nation’s capital marveled at the Troy Fair, remarking that fairs in their area were nothing like those in Pennsylvania. The father noticed the FFA Cord Lock bracelet and admitted he had never heard of the FFA before. This opened the door for conversation and connection.
  
• A Father’s Encouragement: A young man and his father stopped by the tent. After hearing Karen Steele share the Gospel through the beads, the young man was asked if he wanted to pray to receive Christ. His father leaned in and encouraged him to say yes. With joy, the young man prayed and became our brother in the Lord!
  
• Three Young Men Together: At one point, three young men came for walking sticks. Before they left, all three prayed together to receive Jesus into their hearts and lives. What an awesome and unforgettable moment in the FCFI tent!
  
• Mountain Man Necklaces: The Pennsylvania Northern Tier Chapter introduced a new Gospel tool this year—“Mountain Man Necklaces.” These long leather necklaces with the five colored beads quickly became a favorite. They were used effectively to share the salvation message and were received with great enthusiasm.
  
• The David Hall Story: Perhaps one of the most remarkable testimonies came through a man named David Hall. Three young men and one young lady listened to the Gospel message at the tent, and afterward, they called over their uncle, David. He too heard the message, and to everyone’s joy, he prayed to receive Jesus into his heart. David is already a deacon in his church, and the FCFI team encouraged him to share this life-changing step with his pastor and congregation back home in Elmira. But God’s work didn’t stop there—shortly after, three more of David’s relatives came by, heard the message, and prayed to receive Christ as well, all because David encouraged them to visit the tent. Praise the Lord!

Here are some pictures from the event!

A lady looks inside the “Jesus Box”

FCFI witness Sally Good sits at the front table in the FCFI tent waiting for people to stop as FCFI witness Ed Terrel shares with a gentleman just in front of the stick box

A mother in a scooter and her daughter stop by the FCFI tent. They had a bad experience at another festival with a Christian organization. They were first sceptical and then thrilled about talking to Karen Steele at the FCFI tent!

A young lady stares at the Wordless Walking Stick as FCFI witness Karen Steele (gold shirt) shares the message

By the end of the week, the Pennsylvania Northern Tier Chapter of FCFI had witnessed 38 people pray to receive Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Please keep these new believers in your prayers—that they will be rooted in strong, Bible-believing churches and grow in their walk with the Lord. And please also pray for David Hall, that God would use him mightily in his church and community.

We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and financial support. Every testimony, every salvation, and every seed planted at the Troy Fair is fruit that you are a part of. Together, we are making an eternal impact for the Kingdom of God.

To God be the glory—great things He has done!