Comforting the Fire Victims

Just over two weeks ago, I received an assignment to interview a chaplain who has been ministering to firefighters on the frontlines of the wildfires devouring the Los Angeles area.

For illustration purposes. Not a picture from the 2024 LA County wildfires.

But even before that, I had been thinking about the contrast between the hysterical finger-pointing and blame-casting surrounding the wildfires … and the essential work going on in the background.

Discussion of the causes and blame for the multi-billion-dollar conflagration that consumed thousands of homes and buildings will go on for years. Yet while this storm rages, Christian denominations and organizations are ministering to the victims.

To use what many will consider a cliché: Thank God for that.

Practical Help

Curious at what had been transpiring, the second week of January I checked the websites of four groups: Southern Baptists, Assembly of God, The Foursquare Church, and the United Methodist Church.

(Full disclosure: I write periodically for the AG and Foursquare; the latter asked me to interview the chaplain in Pasadena.)

A sampling of what I learned:

• The Southern Baptist Convention maintains a compassion ministry called Send Relief, which has established a giving channel to help victims.

At a ministry center located on Skid Row, a team had been serving hot meals, water and face masks. Said the director, Darryl Spears, “It literally is raining down ashes from the local fires … as we’re responding to this crisis … we ask for your prayers…”

• The AG’s Convoy of Hope (COH) humanitarian arm quickly moved in to help.

For illustration purposes. Not a picture from the 2024 LA County wildfires.

COH had established distribution sites for truckloads of water, food and hygiene supplies at an elementary school in Pasadena and the renowned Dream Center in Los Angeles.

“Right now, we’re doing our best to figure out the scope of the need, where people are, and how to get supplies to those people in in need,” said COH spokesperson Ethan Forhetz.

• Since Foursquare’s headquarters is in LA, the church was personally impacted by the destruction.

Its Disaster Relief organization has a rapid response team distributing generators, sleeping bags, cots, and other supplies. In addition to the chaplain I interviewed, numerous others (mostly volunteers) have been helping victims and firefighters de-stress.

• The United Methodist Church has established the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund in addition to its Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

“It’s almost indescribable, what’s happened to that community and this church,” said denominational official Rev. Garth Gilliam of Altadena UMC, one of two Methodist churches in the region that burned down.

The Church Lives

One other comment Rev. Gilliam made is worth noting: while Altadena’s building is gone, the true church lives on.

“They still have this incredible spirit of faith and trust in God, even though this devastation,” he told the UMC’s news service. “They still believe God can take something tragic and bring something good out of it.”

The reverend’s comment brings to mind 2 Corinthians 1:3–4: “Blessed be God … who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (MEV).

Granted, it is much too early to say much to the victims of this staggering disaster, other than “I feel your pain.” And, offer supplies like these Christian organizations are distributing.

As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:20: “As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.”

I don’t want to sing songs to the LA wildfire victims. Yet, I take heart in the presence of so many caring souls being there to comfort them.