January 2025 | 9
A few months into the job, Hargis is seeing progress in building relationships. “We’re now getting into the place where I feel like I’m welcomed,” he said. “The first few months I did not feel welcomed, and some went out of their way to let me know that I was not welcome. After some time I’ve been more well received.” The Elyria Church weekly meal ministry to the fire de - partment has also opened relationship pathways with the firefighters. “Three and a half years of seeing them every week has really helped.” Hargis made his goals for the chaplain ministry clear to all Elyria firefighters. “The very first day that I met with them I made my introduction and I told them that I was there to be a friend and to be a compassionate, kind help, but the greatest help is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.” In addition to building relationships with firefighters, Hargis is also on call for the difficult days, and the fire department has already had one bad day since he be- came the chaplain. Two children, ages nine and ten, were struck by a car, and one of them passed away.
“I was called out that night to meet the firemen when they returned to the station,” he said. He wasn’t able to meet with the family of the victims on that particular day but has since developed a protocol to minister to bereaved families. “We’ve worked out a way that I have direct access through the fire department and meet the family, be with them, and build those relationships,” he said. “We’ll be able to do that, which will be another avenue of doing ministry within our city.” As Hargis and Elyria Church continue to find ways to build relationships and engage the city of Elyria, he be- lieves his call to chaplain ministry is a long-term com- mitment. “I think that this is a program that I will be investing in, probably until I retire. “Because longevity is key in transformation,” he said. “I want to be around long enough to plant the seed, to watch God work in some- one’s life, and to be there to help them walk with God when they’re ready to make that decision.”
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