News & Stories

Paradise Fire Takes On New Life

July 8, 2008

“Ash is falling from the sky,” said Pastor Larry Shelton of Paradise (California) Alliance Church Tuesday morning. “I just picked up a partly charred leaf that fell from the sky.” 
 
Shelton and his church members thought that the fire danger was over a few weeks ago after the town evacuated nearly 10,000 residents and lost more than 70 homes. Several church members lost their homes as well. The Alliance church became a refuge, and church members not affected by the fire helped their neighbors who were.  
 
At the time, the fires were reported to be contained. But today, Paradise is in the midst of another emergency situation. “The fire has taken on new life and is threatening our town again,” Shelton reports. “At 10 a.m., the sun is blood red. Street lights are coming on, and it’s very hard to breathe. Our town manager requested that we use the church as an evacuation center again. Pray for our town and the overextended fire fighters.”