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helping in time of crisis New York City 9-11-01
by: Luke KnickerbockerPosted on:

Responding to the Crisis of 9/11/01

A day I will never forget

It was a day where so many unforgettable memories were made. Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, I was a Junior at Crown College of the Bible in Powell, Tennessee. In between classes, I was resting when someone informed me that there was an unusual attack being made on our country. I ran to join others to catch the news that was unfolding. We watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. The Twin Towers had both been struck by airplanes and the towers crumbled.

Taking action to help

Meanwhile, as everyone was in shock, Pastor Clarence Sexton began organizing a team of about twenty men from the Temple Baptist Church and the Crown College. I was privileged to be selected to go with them to try to get as close to Ground Zero as possible. Our mission would be to bring food, water, and Gospel materials to give the people who were in shock of the recent tragedy. We arrived five days later on September 16th. Below are pictures taken on my camera. The quality is rough, but will give you a glimpse into my experience from that week. This is the first time I’ve posted any of these pictures publicly.

My first view of Manhattan NYC following the destruction of the Twin Towers
My first glimpse of the smoke arising from Manhattan, NYC following the terrorist attacks
I got to ride in the back of a truck filled with food and water we would distribute to people in NYC
I got to ride in the back of a truck filled with food and water we would distribute to people in NYC
Brother James Zenker leads the charge in unloading boxes of food and water.
Brother James Zenker leads the charge in unloading boxes of food and water.
John Sommer (now missionary in Ghana, Africa) and I stamping Gospel tracts with information of local churches
John Sommer (missionary in Ghana, Africa) and I stamping Gospel tracts with information of local churches
Distributing food and Gospel literature outside the church building where George Washington was baptized!
Distributing food and Gospel literature outside the church building where George Washington was baptized!
The Crown College men's quartet singing uplifted the people's spirits in NYC
The Crown College men’s quartet singing uplifted the people’s spirits in NYC
My friend Dominick Cuozzo (currently pastoring in NJ) and I got to share the Gospel with these three Egyptian men!
My friend Dominick Cuozzo (currently pastoring in NJ) and I got to share the Gospel with these three Egyptian men!
Riding the subway with Scott Hooks, John Sommer, Micah Sellew,
Riding the subway with Scott Hooks, John Sommer, Micah Sellew, and Stephen Troell (gave his life for Christ in the Middle East)
We visited several fire stations and police departments to pray and encourage the heartbroken.
We visited several fire stations and police departments to pray and encourage the heartbroken.
Many people came to pay tribute to the fallen heroes in NYC outside the fire stations.
Many people came to pay tribute to the fallen heroes in NYC outside the fire stations.
This man sitting across the street from the Brooklyn Tabernacle received one of the special tracts. (See below)
This man sitting across the street from the Brooklyn Tabernacle received one of the special tracts. (See below)

The Gospel tract we distributed

Gospel tract printed for NYC
Gospel tract printed for NYC
Gospel tract printed for NYC

As we walked throughout the city, it was a solemn scene. People walked quietly and were open to talk about what they had personally experienced. I remember one lady who told me that she had lost about 90 co-workers in one of the towers. My heart goes out to all those who have lost family and friends during this terrorist attack over two decades ago.

Dear Reader, Please know that sin is the reason that there is sorrow in this world. But there is a holy God who can help and heal you. He sent Jesus to forgive your sin and to be your Shepherd who will guide you through this life! He can bring peace to the hurting heart and joy to the sorrowful. Please go here to read my pamphlet Peace in the Storm.

From the Author: Luke Knickerbocker and his served as foreign missionaries in Nepal Asia for almost seven years. We were privileged to teach at a Bible College while there. Learn more about what God is doing at Crown Nepal Bible College here. His evangelistic website is www.PilgrimOfTruth.com.

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