Nashville Church thanks firefighters with surprise breakfast in honor of 9/11 first responders

Members from Nashville First Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church volunteered this past Saturday morning, Sept. 11, to distribute breakfast across local fire stations. The gesture, idea of pastor Nelson Mercado, was made as way to thank firefighters for their service and honor the memory of the 9/11 first responders.

Prior to becoming a pastor, Mercado served as a firefighter and paramedic from 1997 to 2008. Mercado says that this connection inspired him to search ways for his church to reach the first responders’ community.

“I spoke to my personal ministry's leader, and I told him about wanting to do something special for the [firefighters] in our community,” Mercado said. “He loved the idea. So, we told a few people and recruited a few helpers.”

A group of nine volunteers drove around Nashville delivering a variety of Panera bagels and cheese cream to a total of fifteen fire stations. More than 200 bagels were distributed. Inside each bag, organizers also included copies of Steps to Christ.

Mercado says the firefighters he spoke to were thankful for the food and the kind gesture; he hopes to make this a yearly tradition. In the future, Mercado also wants Nashville First SDA Church to prepare a special meal for police officers

“This was just a small token of appreciation,” Mercado said. “I can tell you, having worked as a firefighter and a paramedic, that unless something drastic happens, like at the events of September 11, it is a thankless job. And so, again, this is just a small way of showing our gratitude.”

Firefighters pose after receiving a breakfast surprise from members at Nashville First, Tenn., Church on September 11. The gesture was made as way to thank firefighters for their service and honor the memory of the 9/11 first responders. Photo courtesy of Nelson Mercado. (Saturday, September 11, 2021)

Volunteers from Nashville First, Tenn., Church prepare early Saturday morning to distribute breakfast to fire stations across the area. Volunteers went to a total of 15 fire stations and distributed more than 200 Panera bagels. Photo courtesy of Nelson Mercado. (Saturday, September 11, 2021)

Firefighters pose after receiving a breakfast surprise from members at Nashville First, Tenn., Church. Pastor Nelson Mercado says in the future Nashville First Church also wants to prepare a special breakfast for police officers as a way to thank them for their service. Photo courtesy of Nelson Mercado. (Saturday, September 11, 2021)