Prayer and Support – California Wildfires

AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Join us in praying for the Los Angeles area and those being impacted by the devastating fires. Pray for protection and wisdom for the many first responders, firefighters and neighbors that are courageously battling the blaze, rescuing people in danger and assisting in recovery efforts.  Pray for Christians and ministries delivering words of hope and comfort to the many that are suffering.

Organizations are deploying and providing aid to victims of the fires.  We will continue to update the information below as it is received:

Mennonite Disaster Services will offer support, in cooperation with other faith-based and voluntary organizations, where it may be needed.  From the website, MDS Executive Director Kevin King noted that “wildfire cleanup work, compared with other disasters, often requires special toxic debris removal for longer periods before volunteers can arrive on the scene to help residents repair and rebuild.” and noted that  “MDS is in for the long haul”  MDS focuses on long term hope and urges people to pray for survivors and their families as they navigate the future.

Samaritan’s Purse is prayerfully standing by  and poised to offer help in Jesus’ Name when given the go ahead from local authorities.  They will mobilize teams of volunteers to aid hurting homeowners. Trucks, equipment, and supplies will be deployed from their West Coast Ministry Center to the devastated areas to support the work of their U.S. Disaster Relief volunteers. Volunteers will help sift through the ashes to help recover precious items.

World Vision’s US Programs team has and is dispatching truck loads of emergency response supplies and are partnering with local churches and organization for distribution.

Harvest: Through the Harvest Relief Fund partnering with organizations, bringing medical care, distributing biblical resources, and providing spiritual support to those affected by these fires.

Eight days of Hope  is partnering alongside several churches in the Los Angeles region to provide essential supplies and assistance with housing, transportation, food and other items.  These churches will be the first glimpse of Jesus to many.

Convoy of Hope is delivering essential relief supplies to those being affected by the wild fires in the Los Angeles area from their Regional Distribution Center in Sacramento. They are in communication with partners in the area to assess and meet the needs of people devastated by the fires.

The Salvation Army is caring for survivors, evacuees and emergency responders with meals and emotional/spiritual care.  They have been deployed to serve meals, support the shelters, and offer spiritual and emotional care at American Red Cross operated evacuation shelters.  The Salvation Army will need the help and support of the community to continue providing emergency response and long-term relief.

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team: Crisis-trained chaplains are offering emotional and spiritual support in shelters set up for those who have fled their homes.