Speaker Information |
Bruce R. Porter |
Snapshots:Author: The Martyr’s Torch: The Message of the Columbine Massacre. (Destiny Image) Also the author of a new, soon- to-be-published book; Responding in an Age of Terror. He has written articles for CellChurch and The Minister’s Family magazines, and has been featured in Time, World, and Charisma. Keynote Speaker Nationally and Internationally: In over 40 nations at Youth Rallies, Government leadership briefings, Conventions, Writer’s Conferences, Churches, & School Assemblies. http://www.sarahstent.com/porter/update5.htm Director and Producer of Documentary Video: Quest for the Hero Heart, an expose’ of terrorism in New Yorkand Israel. Broadcast on Sky Angel, Distributed by Deeper Calling Media http://www.deepercalling.com (Click on “Deeper Videos” and select second item on page) Frequent Television & Radio Guest: With the CBN “700 Club” “On Main Street” Lutheran Hour, and “Life Today” with James Robison. Also radio guest of Dr. Bill Bright, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Issues in Education, MSNBC, The Jane Chastain Show, New York Talk, and scores more. http://cbn.com/700club/profiles/bruce_porter.asp Also http://www.torchgrab.org/cbn_256k.asf Member: Civil Air Patrol: (USAF Official Auxiliary) Cadet Program serving nine years as a Moral Leadership Officer, also holding Commercial/Instrument Pilot ratings. http://www.mustangcadetsquadron.org Fire Dept. Chaplain: Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue, Morrison, CO http://www.intercanyonfire.org
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MESSAGE AND PASSIONFor over a quarter of a century, Bruce has not only planted and pastored churches in the United States, but he has ministered in many nations where Christians live in grinding poverty and are often under persecution. He has seen up-close the price many believers pay for practicing their faith in Christ. These experiences have prepared him to deal with many varied situations faced by Christians, and those who lead.
Most recently, he experienced firsthand the heartbreaking shock and unspeakable horror of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As a firefighter and Chaplain from his local fire department, Bruce ministered in New York City at Ground Zero, arriving six days after the attack.
Drawing from his experience as a pastor and as a Critical Incident Stress Debriefer, he sought to bring comfort and encouragement not only to the victims, but also to rescue workers and firefighters. He came away with a wealth of valuable insights related to coping with unexpected tragedy. Bruce not only worked at the pile, but also in the morgue, bringing comfort to the staff and personnel working there in the midst of their difficult work of identifying the dead. A few weeks later, he returned to ground zero with $70,000 collected by his local fire department and hand-delivered checks to several of the widows and families of slain firefighters. As he was leaving New York City for a speaking engagement in England, his aircraft was lined up for takeoff behind the doomed American Airlines flight 587, which crashed minutes after takeoff. The airport closed, and his flight was cancelled. He went directly to the crash site in Queens and ministered to the rescue personnel at the scene. Hours later, he went to the victim assist center at JFK Airport to pray and weep with the family members who lost loved ones.
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Reaching Out
In 2002, Bruce and his wife Claudia led a team of
youth and counselors to Erfurt, Germany to console
and comfort the hurting families and friends of
the school shooting that took place there in
April, 2002. In this tragedy, a 19-year-old
student shot dead 13 teachers, two students, a
police officer and himself in what is regarded as
the country’s worst post-war massacre. The team
was comprised of Columbine HS students who were
either shot themselves, or witnesses. In addition,
the Mother and sister of slain Columbine victim
Rachel Scott joined the team. Enriching the ChurchFor the past five years, Bruce has traveled across the nation, the U.K. and Europe sharing the story of Rachel’s life and her amazing testimony. Hundreds of thousands of people have had life-changing experiences as they hear Rachel’s story of victory and hope, born out of tragedy. He has shared Rachel’s story, as well as other students who died that day, in a book titled; The Martyrs’ Torch, The Story of the Columbine Massacre. Drawing from a large variety of ministry experiences, Bruce also speaks on a wide range of subjects including but not limited to… Taking up the Torch: Bruce has conducted many inspirational school assemblies and civic meetings. He has consistently seen standing ovations from formerly skeptical High School and Middle School student audiences as he speaks of the lessons of Columbine H.S. and the higher calling of being a person of character in a “bent” world. As a rally and conference speaker, Bruce’s messages of hope and courage are loosing the Giants of the Land! His Rally and conference presentations put rocket-fuel in zeal tanks! Coping Proactively: Bruce speaks of the emotional trauma that people, and even rescuers, often experience in the aftermath of terrorism, accidents, or natural disasters. Drawing from personal experience and interviews with those directly affected in recent events, he brings confidence and encouragement to not only those hurt, but those who get hurt trying to help. He helps people learn to cope with the painful experiences of life with confidence in Christ and the strength of the Holy Spirit. Preparation for Ministry in Tragedy: How to be an instrument of grace in the midst of tragedy, bringing God’s compassion on the scene of need. Drawing from his experiences of counseling rescuers and victims at ground zero, terrorism attacks, aircraft crashes, and in Israel, he shares practical steps to “on scene” service.
Turning Negatives into
Positives: Bruce’s gift of
encouragement and humor is contagious! Life’s
pain and setbacks are doorways to great
opportunities if rightly understood. The enemy
of our souls will never have the last
word! Managing Stress & Burnout in Ministry and Public Service: How to recognize it, manage it, and overcome it. Bruce’s pastoral experiences span nearly 27 years, and his many experiences in the field as a missionary, volunteer firefighter and Chaplain makes him no stranger to the stresses of dealing with incredibly horrific emergencies with God’s grace! Bruce’s messages inspire compassion for people, spiced with appropriate and uplifting humor, has audiences alternately laughing and weeping. His passion is for believers to stand up and be counted in this generation. He challenges audiences of all ages to a deeply committed lifestyle of Christian service and witness, while having fun at the same time! SCHOOL ASSEMBLIESVirtually stunned-silent student audiences characterize Bruce’s school assemblies. As he tells the stories of courageous heroes who gave their lives for others in the New York terrorist attack, as well as of Columbine High School, one can hardly see a dry eye in the student body. He challenges students to rise to the call of Christ-likeness in their lives by serving others and seeing the higher calling. “I stand among the giants of the land…” He often tells students; “Each of you represent virtually unlimited potential for greatness in this world! What will be YOUR legacy? Will you rise to the call, or waste the gift that is you and thereby rob the world of what you can contribute?” Using multi-media and PowerPoint, Bruce draws from stories of Columbine, Ground Zero, Israel, Erfurt, Germany, and many others, highlighting the lives and examples of heroism of those who left a legacy and example of care and sincere concern for others. He challenges the students to walk a higher path of virtue, integrity, and sincere empathy for people. In past assemblies, many students are moved to action as they glimpse a greater vision for themselves, their fellow students, and their school.
Endorsements & Book Reviews
Mary I. Jumbelic, MD. Chief Medical
Examiner, OnondagaCounty,
Syracuse, New York. (Bruce served
with Dr. Jumbelic for several days in the
on-site morgue at the
WorldTradeCenterdisaster site)
Marlene Bagnull, Litt.D, Founder and
Director of the
Colorado Christian Writers Conference and
the
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers
Conference
Josh McDowell, Author and Teacher When I read The Martyr's Torch, I had two thoughts. First, I wished I had written it! Second, I realized that I couldn't have written it as well as Pastor Porter did! I highly recommend The Martyr's Torch and will gladly do everything I can to help see that multitudes will find and read it! A job well done!”
Darrell Scott, Rachel Joy Scott’s Father
(Rachel was killed at Columbine H.S.)
James Robison, President LIFE Outreach
International
Art Linkletter, Author and Television
Personality
Charlton Heston, Actor, Author and
Speaker
Jewell Patek, State Representative, MO
Bill Owens, Governor of Colorado
Wellington E. Webb, Mayor of
Denver
Barbara L. Gentry, Lieutenant Colonel,
Civil Air Patrol Recently, Bruce was named Moral Leadership Officer of the Year for the state of Colorado. He would never seek an honor for himself. The outstanding job that he does in the Civil Air Patrol earned him the honor… We consider ourselves very fortunate to have him as a member of our squadron. We feel we have the best Moral Leadership Officer in the state of Colorado, if not in the nation. I highly recommend Bruce Porter as a speaker at any school assembly or other gathering of young people. In having him join you in any capacity, you will be greatly benefited.”
Winston Rogers, Principal,
BerkeleyMiddle School, Berkeley,
MO I would like to personally thank you for the signed copy of your book which I will display in our trophy case as a testament to the fair and equal treatment that all young people deserve and to the attention they crave. May their hearts be filled. I can’t begin to fathom the depth of feelings that you have experienced, but am glad that you have chosen to give of yourself and offer testimony to the memory of those slain, to the strength of those left behind, and to their resolve to help prevent another such tragedy. Good luck in your efforts to deliver the message across the country. I can assure you that the struggle is not in vain.”
J. Bradley, Principle, FairlandHigh
School, Proctorville, OH I hope Mr. Porter and all others connected with these presentations luck and safety as they present their wonderful message. I am sure that at least one of our students was touched more than we will ever know, as I am sure that at each presentation there are students influenced to be who they are and to stand up for their beliefs."
Barbara Smith, Fifth Grade Teacher, West Jefferson
Elementary School, Aspen Park, Colorado |
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