According to CNBC, the Santa Rosa wildfire is now 90 percent contained, but 8,400 structures were destroyed. In this midst of this devastation and loss, Alliance ministries and churches continue to serve their communities.
Alliance Redwoods
Alliance Redwoods Conference Center shut down operations in order to house firefighters and families who were evacuated due to the Santa Rosa wildfire. The fire strike team captain explained that they usually sleep in tents or in the trucks. They don’t get to shower and those with dietary issues have a difficult time eating on the job.
However, at Alliance Redwoods, they have been able to shower, eat well, and receive much needed rest after long shifts. A masseuse came by and gave free massages to the firefighters for a few days as well. The firefighters wanted to do something in return, so they took a collection and raised $1,000 to give to the five families who were taking shelter at the camp with them.
Mark West Neighborhood Church
Opportunities to reach new people have opened up at Mark West Neighborhood Church because of the fires. One man had visited twice during the summer but hadn’t come in a few months. He is a believer, but his wife has no interest in religion. When they lost their home in the fire, they went to the church and spent several hours being encouraged by the pastor, Josh Ratiani. Pray that more doors will open for gospel witness.
The families in this church who have lost their homes in the fire have not stopped serving their communities. Josh wrote:
“We hosted some of the (already) homeless people of Santa Rosa. I was eating dinner with five homeless ladies being served by two families in our church who just lost everything. Directly in front of me was our children’s ministry fundraiser report on the wall. Six elementary school kids raised $1600 to help Syrian refugees in Jordan through the Alliance.
A few weeks later, three of those kids lost their homes, and every one of those kids became refugees themselves through evacuation. It was one of the most tragically beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
The Bridge and City Alliance
The day before the fires, Billy Andre, pastor of The Bridge, shared in his sermon that God placed a desire in his heart to reach 10,000 people. He asked his congregation that God would do whatever it takes to reach those people. Jon Maves also preached at City Alliance Church about the new level of commitment he felt God was calling the congregation to embrace.
Both of these pastors lost their homes in the fires but are excited about how God is going to use this tragedy to bring their communities closer to Himself. One night 40 churches joined together to pray, unifying God’s people in this area for the first time in years.