Fort Mill ministry aids family of late Charlotte firefighter

Anyone that knew Jeff McGill knew that he put his faith first and lived for his family.

The Charlotte area community is rallying around McGill’s family after the firefighter passed away on April 12 from stomach cancer. McGill left behind a wife, three children and a mound of medical bills, a burden Fort Mill-based nonprofit All Things Possible Ministries hopes to lessen, said Lisa Sexton, executive director.

“They have enough things to do readjusting to a new normal without Jeff,” she said. “This is just one of the things that doesn’t need to be weighing them down.”

McGill fought the cancer for 18 months before passing away at age 52, accumulating more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, Sexton said. Lisa McGill also quit her job to take care of her husband.

Sexton said All Things Possible hopes to raise enough to cover the remaining bills.

“If we can take this big chunk out of the way then the everyday expenses will be much easier for them,” she said.

McGill said she connected with All Things Possible Ministries after Sexton heard the pastor at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte praying for their family.

“It’s a wonderful team of godly people set out just to help,” she said.

“God makes all things possible. Had it not been for Him and the resources He sent our way, we would’ve never met all the people who have shown us so much love during this entire ordeal.”

McGill, a firefighter for 16 years, a basketball coach, mentor and minister, has touched many lives in the Charlotte community, his wife said.

“Even people that didn’t know him are calling to say they are going to support the fundraiser,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful thing and I owe it all to God.”

More than 300 firefighters held a service at the church for McGill last Monday signifying the end of his duties with the Charlotte Fire Department, McGill said.

“He’s been honored so well through the community,” she said.

McGill ministered at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and spent his days telling people about the power of God, Lisa McGill said.

“You don’t have to be on a platform to be able to reach people and tell them how God is, so wherever Jeff went, that’s what he did,” she said.

McGill also coached basketball for years, a passion he shared with his daughters Jerrica, 26, and Jaden, 15, and 17-year-old son Jaylan.

“We’re a basketball family and everyone that knows and loves us knows that’s what we do,” Lisa McGill said.

McGill also had his own gym where he worked with local youth.

“That was his pride and joy,” his wife said. “Through basketball, he was able to minister to small kids.”

Basketball and their faith has kept her family strong, McGill said. She said All Things Possible Ministries is helping to eliminate the financial burden they now face.

“It has been a wonderful ministry,” McGill said. “It’s a good resource for families going through a terminal illness.”

That’s what Sexton said she wants people to know, that All Things Possible is here to help. For medical fundraisers, 100 percent of what is raised goes directly to the family, and anything raised over the goal goes back into the ministry’s medical fund.

“It helps the next person,” she said.

Sexton said the McGill family was open about needing help and has been strong in their faith.

“They’re just awesome people,” she said. “I could see they really have a heart for the Lord and have their priorities in the right place.”

This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Fort Mill ministry aids family of late Charlotte firefighter."