
Editor’s Note: This story was updated Feb. 4 with a report from the Pacific District.
Southern California fires have claimed the lives of 29 people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and forced evacuations of more than 300,000 people, with many being sheltered in churches and in pop-up shelters throughout the area.
Pacific District Minister Jordan Ringhofer reports that as of Feb. 3, none of USMB’s 12 churches in the Los Angeles area have sustained loss of personal or church property.
Both Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and Mennonite World Conference (MWC) offer reports on affected areas and plans for a response.
MDS prepares for long-term recovery
MDS leaders in California and nationwide have been praying for fire survivors as well as the firefighters and support people battling the blazes.
While the MDS response is focusing on planning for a long-term recovery, MDS regional and state leaders have been contacting the area Anabaptist churches and conferences to determine the extent of loss, if any, and to offer encouragement and prayers.
MDS responders have also personally visited churches and pastors, connecting them with information about filing insurance claims and funding available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.
“Our hearts are broken for the people who have lost their homes or their churches to these fires,” says Jim Holm, California Unit Chair. “California MDS stands with you in your loss, and we will continue to seek ways to help in your recovery.”
Holm thanks the many churches and individuals who have already reached out to offer their help.
“Your encouragement means so much to those in the fire zones,” he says.
Holm joined MDS Executive Director Kevin King and MDS Region 4 Board Chair Michele WhiteEagle on a visit to Los Angeles Jan. 18-20 to encourage pastors and churches.
“Please pray with us for God’s comfort and encouragement for all affected by this tragedy,” says Holm.
Many local churches are still deciphering the needs within each congregation and will reach out when these needs are known.
King says 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.
“Long-term recovery and rebuilding after wildfires can take years,” King says.
For example, MDS began working in Paradise, California, two-and-a-half years after the Camp Fire caused 85 fatalities, displaced more than 50,000 people, and destroyed more than 18,000 structures.
“MDS is in for the long haul,” King says in a Jan. 10 news story. “Our hearts go out to those impacted by this growing disaster.”
Donations to MDS California Wildfires may be made at mds.org/donate-usa and will enable MDS to build homes and bring hope when rebuilding begins.
MWC requests prayer
In a Jan. 14 letter, MWC president Henk Stenvers and North America regional representative Gerald Hildebrand report that member churches have been affected and request prayer.
Dozens of households from two Mennonite Church USA congregations were displaced and three lost their homes. Members of one Mosaic Mennonite Conference church have evacuated and one family lost their home. Several Brethren in Christ churches are involved in relief and response to displaced people.
With files from Susan Kim/MDS, MWC
To learn more:
https://mwc-cmm.org/en/stories/a-pastoral-letter-for-those-affected-by-wildfires-in-los-angeles/
https://mds.org/story/connections-and-caring-response-to-california-fires/

This article has been posted by Christian Leader staff. The Christian Leader is the magazine of U.S. Mennonite Brethren.