As wildfires broke out across Southern California on October 21, the Spirit also ignited love in the hearts of outreach-oriented churches from Malibu to Mexico. A half-million acres have burned, destroying more than 1,800 homes and threatening thousands more. With 500,000 people forced from their homes, it is the largest evacuation in California history. Among the many responding: churches who have opened their doors to offer meals and shelter not just for displaced people but, in some cases, their pets ranging from dogs to ducks; from hamsters to horses.
Prayer, Counsel, Hospitality and Practical Needs
In San Diego County, home to Outreach magazine, churches have opened their doors and people of faith have opened their hearts to those threatened by the flames or poor air quality and smoky conditions. New Song Church in Oceanside became home to hundreds of displaced residents. A team from Vista’s North Coast Church served meals to hundreds of evacuees at nearby centers, and stands by as an overflow shelter for residents and their animals. Hope Church, also in Vista, took in more than 160, plus two pet ducks, five cats and several dogs (they report having room for up to 20 horses). At The Rock Church, Point Loma, the congregation collected enough supplies to become a distribution center for other shelters, in addition to providing for those housed on their campus. As the week unfolded, they became a full-care facility for a couple hundred, providing shelter, meals and medical care. In San Marcos, Mission Hills Church was one of the first to respond, taking overflow from the evacuation center at the public high school next door. At publication, volunteers at Mission Hills have been working for five straight days, around the clock. Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Methodist. Baptist, Catholic, Charismatic–though sometimes divided by nuance of doctrine are today united in their concern and service for those who have lost everything or whose homes are in harm’s way.
Outreach, Inc., the publisher of Outreach magazine, has made available, without charge, 4-foot-by-8-foot banners (“We Care. Evacuation and Help Center”) to San Diego area churches and will be supporting a fundraising effort for fire victims at the upcoming National Outreach Convention.
– James Long, for Andrea Bailey
