OS91 at New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL

New OS91 Church partner: New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church

A Divine Connection story: 

About one and a half months ago, Mary received a phone request for a Psalm 91 card from the mother of a Soldier in Afghanistan. Her name: Lois Pennill...who just happened to be the wife of Pastor Allan Pennill of New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in St. Augustine. There was an immediate heart connection between this wonderful woman and Mary. "The rest is history" as they say! This phone call turned into a most gracious invitation to visit these wonderful Pastors, stay at their home, and address their Congregation about Operation Safety 91! 

Picture of Pastor Allen and Lois' son, Christian 

currently deployed in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army

 L to R: Pastor Allan Pennill, First Lady Lois Pennill and Ed

The date was set for the last weekend in October and off we went to spend some time with some wonderful new friends on Florida's east coast. Pastor Allan is a humble, gentle man, a lover of God and of His Word. First Lady Lois excels in the gift of hospitality and encouragement, always "up" and excited about the Lord and life!

Mary and Ed share a delicious dinner followed by devotions with the Pennills 

and new friends, Maria and Sam of Church On The Rock on Saturday night

Stop at a Fire Station on the way to Church...

...to give out Psalm 91 cards!

And they need it, as you can see!

 Choir and Deacons in Sanctuary

Certificate of Appreciation from U.S. Army to

New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church

During Announcements, a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Army to New Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, was read to the Congregation. That was Divine timing! But not surprising: Christian, the son of Pastors Allan and Lois, is a Soldier in the U.S. Army currently deployed in Afghanistan. And that is how we got connected in the first place!

Ed and Mary receive a Love offering from Congregation

for OS91

Ed and I were given a generous time slot to present OS91's mission and vision to the Congregation and Pastor gave OS91 a love offering from themselves and from the  generous people of his Church...a love offering which totaled 25,000 Psalm 91 cards! Praise God!

 Church Covenant hanging on wall

OS91 gives our most heartfelt thanks to Pastors Allan and Lois for their warm hospitality, opening their heart, their home, and their Church to Ed and Mary on behalf of the brave men and women Responders of America: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement and Military. Your generosity will save many lives! God bless and reward you!

OS91 attends The Prodigal Project's "Restoring Honor" Event

Honor Guard for Restoring Honor Event:

Veterans and Boy Scouts together 

The Prodigal Project, founded by Pastor Howie Bennett and his dear wife, Karen, hosted an outstanding Event October 24 - 26, 2012 in Mount Dora, FL, called "Restoring Honor". This Ministry is a new partner of Operation Safety 91. Pastor Howie is now a Law Enforcement Chaplain as well as newly certified by The FBI in Police Suicide prevention. 

Psalm 91 cards to future Resonders and leaders!

We so appreciate Pastor Howie's invitation to OS91 to set up a table and distribute Psalm 91 cards and books to the attendees.

Ps 91 part of The Prodigal Project's ministry -

a dad and son attending Event together

The message of "HONOR" was given by friend and mentor of Pastor Howie, Rev. Roberto Rodriguez (a Marine) of Vida Abundante Church in Asbury, NJ. This message is the best message I have ever heard regarding honor. Pastor Roberto talked about his father, who stepped up to the plate at 12 years of age to be a father figure and raise and support his two younger brothers. It was a message so very needed in our day.

 Karen Bennett and Rev Roberto's wife, Millie

Thank you, Howie and Karen, for inviting us to "Restoring Honor". We believe this movement is for such a time as this, planted by the Lord in Central Florida! And thank you for your partnership with OS91! (To see more pictures of this Event, please go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/operationsafety91.)

OS91 attends FCPO Annual Conference

Fellowship of Christian Police Officers

2012 Annual Conference

Operation Safety 91 had the honor and privilege of attending the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers (FCPO) Annual Conference http://www.fcpo.org/ in First Assembly Church, Deland, FL http://firstassemblydeland.com/ yesterday and today. Over one year ago we were connected to FCPO when I cold contacted the FCPO Florida head, Deputy and Chaplain Mike Dye of Volusia County Sheriff's Office. I will never forget when Mike returned my call and asked where OS91 was located. I responded, "Winter Garden, FL." Mike said, "We're in Deland!" The rest is history! Ed and I met with Mike and loaded him up with Psalm 91 cards and the the 1687 Foundation's Psalm 91 resources, both of which he eagerly accepted to distribute. So about 3 months ago, when Mike contacted us inviting us to the annual Conference, the dates went on our calendar immediately. And what an outstanding Conference it has been! 

                                                                                      

Featured Speaker is OS91's very own National Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (Ret.) of "Black Hawk Down" renown. http://dannymcknight.com/

COL McKnight speaking about OS91

COL held the audience of Responders by the heart as he spoke of current events, his two trips to Afghanistan during the past 12 months, the Battle of Mogadishu, Leadership principles and his book: Streets of Mogadishu - Leadership At Its Best, Political Correctness At Its Worst. "Leading soldiers in combat is a special privilege; someone has to do it and I got to do it!" COL states that "you manage things: you lead people!" "In this day and age, most people are followers; we must 'take a stand' and lead people". COL ended with his personal testimony and allegiance to his leader, Jesus Christ!

http://dannymcknight.com/bookdvd.htm

COL with Ed at OS91 table

Pastor Mike Modica, First Assembly Deland with FCPO Board

praying over COL Danny McKnight

First Assembly Deland Pastor Mike Modica, served in the U.S. Army and truly appreciated hosting the FCPO Conference and COL Danny McKnight at the Church. Pastor Mike's son, currently also serving in the Army will be deploying to Afghanistan in months to come. Thank you, Pastor, for your service to God and country!

CH and Deputy Mike Dye - head of FCPO Conference

Our most sincere congratulations to Chaplain Mike Dye of Volusia County Sheriff's Office for coordinating such an outstanding Event! Behind Mike pictured above is a group of Responders who led excellent Praise and Worship during the Conference. Mike is the author of a "must-read" for every LEO: "The PeaceKeepers - A Bible Study for Law Enforcement Officers". 

http://www.christianlawenforcement.com/

Officer Jonathan Parker with Mary and Ed

One of my greatest joys during this Conference was the moment I walked into the Vendor Room on Friday afternoon and there stood long-time partner of Operation Safety 91, Jonathan Parker, an officer with Chattanooga Police Department and Founder of Covered Law Enforcement http://www.coveredlawenforcement.org/. Jonathan has one of the most compelling testimonies: Meredith Parker Testimony 700 Club. Although Jonathan has been partnering with OS91, distributing Psalm 91 cards and the Psalm 91 books of the 1687 Foundation, we had never met. At this Conference, we not only met him, but had the opportunity to listen to this young Officer and Minister, on fire to reach Responders for Christ.

Another long time Operation Safety 91 partner who attended the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers Conference is Chaplain Ray Fairman http://operationsafety91.blogspot.com/2011/07/os91-partner-chaplain-ray-fairman-at.html. What a great reunion! 

MC Williams invites Police to come on Mission trips to Moldova

Ed and I were invited to attend all talks and were inspired listening to MC Williams, FCPO Vice President and Board Member, among several other outstanding talks by current and retired Responders. 

OS91 gave out over 3,000 Psalm 91 cards during this Conference as well as several cases of Psalm 91 books for Military and Toddlers. And... to our great delight, we have been invited back to First Assembly Deland by Pastor Modica to speak to the congregation about OS91's mission and vision. OS91 continues to move forward to reach more Responders with God's supernatural protection: Psalm 91. To date, OS91 has distributed over 350,000 Psalm 91 cards / 375,000 Psalm 91 cards have been made through donations so far. Thank you to our faithful God as well as to our partners! As we say: "Together we can do so much more than separately!"

OS91 doing what we love!

Ed with Police Chief Dembinsky 

Operation Safety 91 was graciously welcomed today by Daytona Beach Shores Police Chief Stephan Dembinsky. Chief Dembinsky has been a Police Officer for more than 35 years. We left the gift of Psalm 91 cards for any Officers on the force who would like them. Chief thanked us more than once during our time together for Operation Safety 91's mission and vision to honor and protect America's Protectors.

Ed with Firefighter at Port Orange, FL

We also took some time to visit with a Firefighter at Port Orange, FL leaving some Psalm 91 cards for his Team located in the nearby station. 

Port Orange Fire Rescue

We appreciate all Responders and want you to be protected with the supernatural protection of Psalm 91.

OS91 attends 9/11 Memorial at Clermont Fire Station 1

9/11 Memorial at Clermont Fire Station 1

OS91 attended a 9/11 Memorial at Clermont, FL's Fire Station 1 on Highway 50 in Clermont. What a meaningful and touching Ceremony! Guest speaker was OS91's very special friend, Jimmy Brown, member of FDNY who responded to the attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11, and survived the fall of Tower II, preserved miraculously by God's grace! The crowd of former Responders of NY and patriotic citizens of Clermont gathered for the Memorial.

Although Ed and I now reside in Winter Garden, Clermont was our original home in Florida, so it is very special to us. Speaking of "special to us", this Memorial brought us together with several longtime friends of Operation Safety 91: Clermont Fire Chief Carle Bishop and Clermont's  interim Chief Charles Broadway.

  Ed with Clermont Fire Chief Carle Bishop 

and Clermont interim Police Chief Charles Broadway

Longtime friend of Operation Safety 91, Fire Chief Carle Bishop, hosted the 9/11 Memorial with the help of Charles Broadway, who also responded to the attack on 9/11 as an NYPD Responder and who was recently promoted to Clermont's interim Chief of Police! Know that OS91 appreciates you and our prayers are with you both!

James Brown's testimony of surviving the fall of Tower 1

Special friend of Operation Safety 91, Jimmy Brown, former NYPD, then FDNY, invited Ed and Mary to share in this Memorial Ceremony. Jimmy shared the testimony of his miraculous preservation as he was almost buried alive in the rubble of the Towers, escaped, and is now a walking testament of God's supernatural protection! I don't know if there was a dry eye in the crowd...I couldn't see through my tears! OS91 loves you, Jimmy, and your dear wife, Shirley! You two are a blessing! 

Honor Guard at Ceremony

Steel from Ground Zero at Fire Station 1 

OS91 salutes all the brave men and women Responders who went into the Twin Towers while civilians were going out... all who lost their lives to rescue as many as they could. 

"We will never forget!"

OS91 at St. Timothy's Church, Lady Lake, FL

Ed (right) and Bob at OS91 table in front of St. Timothy's

The weekend of 9/11, 2012 brought us to St. Timothy's Catholic Church of Lady Lake, FL for a fundraiser for Operation Safety 91. Father Ed Waters, Pastor of St. Timothy's, not only graciously opened his doors to us, but his heart as well. St. Timothy's is a very patriotic Church, full of retired Veterans of all branches of the Military, many NYPD and FDNY Retirees and all other Responders. One look at the vehicles (including golf carts) with their stickers, magnets and U.S. flags will tell you that these people are true Americans!

Patriotic Salute to our Armed Forces with

giant U.S. Flag in front of Church

Prominently displayed on the front of St. Timothy's Church is a wonderful salute to our Armed Forces. At the base of the Flag are 6 pedestal mounted plaques, one for each of the branches of Military Service.

Former FDNY and Coast Guard and his wife 

showing a photo of "Miracle on the Hudson" where he helped with rescue!

There were so very many special people and special moments we had during our time at St. Timothy's. Pictured above is a former FDNY and Coast Guard Serviceman who was not only involved in the 9/11 rescue but also in the Miracle of the Hudson. It was truly an honor to meet them. 

Great Psalm 91 testimony from Tina

Among so many others was Tina who was awakened by the Lord in the middle of the night during a very difficult time of her life and was given Psalm 91 to pray. Psalm 91 got her through her trial in victory!

"The Last Supper Chapel"

My favorite place is "The Last Supper Chapel", a former library, now a place of Divine Presence and peace. It is truly a very special hidden retreat. This is the legacy of Father Waters to the people of St. Timothy's Church.

Michael the Archangel, 

Patron of Police and Firefighters

On the right wall of the Chapel is this beautiful piece of Art showing St. Michael the Archangel, Patron of Police and Firefighters.

St. Timothy's Catholic Church with Patriotic Flag Display

OS91 is so grateful to the precious people of St. Timothy's in Lady Lake, FL for their support of Responders. Because of their generosity, OS91 was able to order 25,000 more Psalm 91 cards to reach that many more Responders with the Divine Protection of Psalm 91! A special note of thanks to the Director of Volunteers, Pat Schaefer, who was so helpful to us before and during the Event, treating us as family. Thanks, too, to the Ushers and Choir for their special support and encouragement of OS91. To Kevin, Bill, and Chris in maintenance, our thanks. And Ed and Mary want to offer our most heartfelt gratitude to Father Waters, who not only welcomed us, but personally spoke at the Masses, holding up Psalm 91 cards, explaining what we do, and encouraging his parishioners to get involved. Father frequently checked on us, making sure we had everything we needed to make our fundraiser a success. Many thanks to all our volunteers: Bob and Carlene, Bob H, Vince, Al, James, Roberto, Grace, Rusty, Rae, DJ, Chad, and Jackson. May God reward you! Know that, because of your efforts, the lives of many Responders will be touched! To all of you we repeat: 

"Together we can do so much more than separately!"

****************

FUN MOMENTS

OS91 partners with Unity Christian Fellowship International Ministries

Huntsville Police Officer reads Psalm 91 card 

 About one month ago, OS91 was contacted by a wonderful Pastor for an upcoming event his Church was sponsoring. We became very excited upon hearing the details. The Pastor is Pastor Earnest Edwards of Unity Christian Fellowship International Ministries located 2 miles from Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This is the home of the AMC (Army Material Command), who had the first female 4 Star General stationed and commanded the AMC. 

Even the children received Psalm 91 cards...let's get them started early!  

Behind them you can see the Psalm 91 books for giveaways

The Event was Community Outreach Fun Day which took place on September 1 from 11 am to 3 pm. This was an outreach to the community, with special emphasis on the Police of Huntsville as well as the Military nearby. 

Enjoying some relaxation with a Psalm 91 card

We so appreciate you, Pastor Edwards, your dear wife who made sure I received photos, as well as your Church's appreciation of those who protect and defend us daily. God bless you!

OS91 attends "Charity Challenge"

Charity Challenge XXVII 

Today Operation Safety 91 Founders, Ed and Mary Ganster, were invited to attend the Charity Challenge XXVII Luncheon at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Unbeknownst to us, our long time friend, Paul Benjamin, Founder of Central Florida Dream Center located in Sanford, FL, partnered with Charity Challenge and targeted an overage of the funds raised for the Dream Center to be donated to Operation Safety 91. 

Lee Constantine, Founder of Charity Challenge

presents Ed with check 

Former Florida State Senator Lee Constantine, founded Charity Challenge to bring the Central Florida community together by providing an opportunity for young adults to have fun and give back to local charities at the same time. Charity Challenge has evolved from a 4 team backyard event into a multi-media extravaganza with nearly 100 teams competing and the loyal support of over 200 sponsors. Charity Challenge has awarded nearly $5 million to local charities, including $220,000 to 7 charities in 2011, making it the largest independent charity in Central Florida.

L to R: Antonio and Belinda of the Dream Center

and Mary and Ed

Ed and Mary were truly blessed to meet for the first time Antonio Barbosa, Jr., VP/Director of Ministries and Belinda Thrift, Administrative Assistant of the Cental Florida Dream Center, wonderful people with hearts to help others and devoted to the Dream Center's mission and vision. We feel we made 2 new friends, even though we have been working with them (almost without knowing it) spreading the Psalm 91 message through the books of the 1687 Foundation. 

Paul, thank you so very much for your continued friendship and support of us and of Operation Safety 91. We truly appreciate your gift but even more, we appreciate YOU! God bless and reward you!

OS91 invited to Rosen Centre

Operation Safety 91, with other Orlando organizations, corporations and businesses, was invited to the Rosen Centre Hotel this evening to be treated to some exquisite dining and informed all the newest renovations to the Rosen Hotels. As you know, if you have been following us for any length of time, that for the past two years OS91 has hosted the 3rd and 4th Annual Tribute Events at the Rosen Centre here in Orlando. 

We appreciate Mr. Harris Rosen, a brilliant businessman, generous philanthropist, and former Military, who truly has a heart for OS91's mission and vision. Ed and I had several minutes with Mr. Rosen, and were touched to receive his enthusiastic encouragement and congratulations for what we are doing. I do apologize that the picture is so dark, but I am still posting it.

Mr. Rosen, Mary and Ed

God gave us a special blessing tonight at this Event. Ed began talking to a staff person, Doug Ribley, Assistant Director of Convention Services and Catering. When Doug discovered that Ed was the Founder of Operation Safety 91, he told Ed that he attended the 3rd Annual Tribute and there he received a Psalm 91 card and a Christian Patriotic decal, which he promptly put on his wife's car. Later that year, Doug's wife was miraculously spared, when her car flipped 3 times and ended up on all four tires; she did not have a scratch! Praise the Lord!

Ed with Doug

What a blessing to hear miraculous testimonies of the Divine Protection of Psalm 91!

OS91 meets with COL Danny McKnight

COL McKnight with his book & card & Psalm 91 card

Yesterday Ed and Mary had the honor of another meeting with an American Hero and our beloved National Spokesperson COL Danny McKnight, US Army (Ret.) of "Black Hawk Down" renown and his beautiful wife, Linda.  We cherish these times spent with COL and his wife, both so dedicated to Responders and to the mission of Operation Safety 91, to honor and protect these brave men and women.

During the conversation, Linda told us that she has for a few months now been including one of COL McKnight's business cards as well as a Psalm 91 card in each copy of COL's new book, Streets of Mogadishu. That was music to our ears! 

COL then invited us to their home! What a privilege! As we pulled up, the first thing we noticed is this Yellow Ribbon Flag pictured below. Of course I had to have a picture!

Yellow Ribbon Flag held by Linda

COL McKnight and Linda rolled out the "red carpet" for us and showed us around their beautiful home, the highlight of which is what COL calls "Linda's Room" which is really COL's room...full of memorabilia as Danny moved up the ranks of the U.S. Army and fought for America on foreign soil. 

COL McKnight in front of a one-of-a-kind multiple autographed

"Black Hawk Down" movie poster

We enjoyed a heartwarming moment when their granddaughter appeared; just had to have a picture of that!

Proud Grandparents!

Ed and I thank God for connecting us to COL McKnight and Linda, who have such a heart for OS91's mission and vision. COL does at least 80 Speaking Engagements and Leadership Conferences for Responders all over the U.S. each year and speaks about Operation Safety 91 wherever he goes, always making available our Psalm 91 cards at each Event. In fact, COL has been to Afghanistan twice this year to be with our brave soldiers in battle and he gave hundreds and hundreds of Psalm 91 cards to them. If you ever have the honor to spend time with COL McKnight and Linda, you will see two people who love our Responders and are giving their lives to reach them. COL Danny and Linda, OS91 loves and appreciates you!

COL McKnight with Chaplain in Afghanistan - 2012