Gospel Opportunities Take Flight at the Terre Haute Air Show – by Brent Hawkins

The Terre Haute Air Show was more than an exciting weekend of airplanes, aviation, and community—it became an opportunity for the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) to share the Gospel and remind people of God’s love and grace.

Brent Hawkins and his team were at the show sharing the Gospel through Wordless Walking Sticks and the Wordless Book beads. Throughout the event, God opened unexpected doors for meaningful conversations and opportunities to share the hope of Jesus Christ.

A Grapple That Opened the Door

One of the most memorable encounters began with something as simple as a tractor grapple.

A mother approached the FCFI tent because her young son wanted to see the grapple on the Branson tractor. Before coming to see it, she had gone through the Wordless Book beads with her son.

Brent asked her if she was saved. She honestly replied that she was not.

When he asked if she would like to be saved, she said yes. Brent was then able to lead her in praying the sinner’s prayer.

What began with a young boy’s interest in a tractor became a divine appointment. God used a grapple on a tractor to bring this woman to a place where she could hear and receive the Gospel.

“You Don’t Know What I’ve Done”

Another powerful conversation took place with a woman who felt she was beyond forgiveness.

After Brent shared the Gospel with her, she responded, “You don’t know what I’ve done. I can’t be saved.”

Brent shared John 3:16 with her and reminded her that the word “whosoever” includes her, too.

The message of the Gospel is that salvation is not based on our past, our failures, or whether we believe we are worthy. It is offered to anyone who will come to Christ.

The woman said she would pray the prayer from the operators manual when she got home.

God Answers Prayers

Brent’s 14-year-old grandson, Reece, also joined the team at the air show to help pass out Wordless Walking Sticks.

Reece was nervous about talking with people because he has a stuttering problem. While doing some last-minute preparation in the tent, he scanned the QR code and discovered the opportunity to submit a prayer request.

He asked Brent what he should put as his request. Brent encouraged him to ask people to pray for his stuttering.

Then Reece began sharing the Gospel with people through the Wordless Book beads.

Brent said they did not hear Reece stutter a single time while he was sharing the Gospel.

God answers prayers.

What could have been a limitation became an opportunity for Reece to experience God’s faithfulness firsthand and boldly participate in sharing the Gospel.

Remembering the Sullivan Tornado

The FCFI team also encountered many people at the air show who remembered the devastating Sullivan tornado and the disaster relief work carried out by the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International.

These conversations served as a reminder that ministry opportunities often continue long after the immediate crisis has passed. The relationships built while serving communities in times of need can open doors for continued Gospel conversations.

The Terre Haute Air Show demonstrated once again that God can use ordinary things—a tractor grapple, a simple strand of colored beads, a teenager’s willingness to step out in faith—to accomplish His purposes.

Every conversation is an opportunity. Every person has a story. And every “whosoever” is invited to come to Christ.

The Fellowship of Christian Farmers International is grateful for the opportunity to serve, share, and sow seeds of faith wherever God opens the door.