Home / News / Church & Ministry / Christian Broadcasters Share Survival Stories Fleeing Wildfires
broadcasters wildfires
Palisades Fire Photo by CAL FIRE_Official (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Christian Broadcasters Share Survival Stories Fleeing Wildfires

Many Christian radio broadcasters in California had a ringside seat to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and businesses.

“The strength of the winds, which drives the fires and complicates fighting them, was astonishing,” said Jay Flowers, COO of Grace To You, the Bible-teaching ministry of John MacArthur. “From our offices, we could see various aircraft shuttling to and from a nearby airport to reload with retardant.”

Kristen Halverson, director of operations for Lighthouse Arab World, shared the devastating impact on her own family and community.

“My son, his wife, baby and dogs are living with us,” she said. “Several in our church have lost their homes, saw the fire start in Eaton Canyon or are still evacuated. Our community is severely impacted on so many levels.”

Amid the devastation, stories of resilience and compassion are emerging. Organizations such as Operation Blessing, Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are providing critical assistance.

“Right now, Operation Blessing disaster relief teams are on the ground in affected areas, working to meet urgent needs,” said Drew Freidrich, COO of the ministry. “We’re distributing essential supplies like bottled water, hygiene kits and non-perishable food to families who have lost everything. Our teams are also coming alongside survivors to provide spiritual care and encouragement, reminding them that they are not alone in this crisis.”

Broadcaster mobilize response to wildfires

Lance Emma, general manager of K-Wave Radio Network, has mobilized a community outreach team providing food, water, men’s clothes, women’s clothes and children’s clothes to three locations. “There is no lack of churches who are collecting resources and looking for opportunities,” he said.

NRB member organizations are providing not just for physical needs but also are responding to the spiritual needs of the disaster victims.

Joni Eareckson Tada, CEO and founder of Joni and Friends, released two special episodes of her radio broadcast to address the fires. She shared about her own experience evacuating, as well as the challenges of people with disabilities in emergency situations. Tada and her husband Ken are safely back home, but many have lost everything. Tada encouraged listeners to continue praying:

“Thank you, friends, for praying for God’s will to be done here in Los Angeles,” she said. “And his will, his word, tells us to weep with those who weep. And then? Pray without ceasing. And may our actions of practical care and compassion prove that Jesus Christ is our hope. He is the only hope for us in Los Angeles; Jesus is the only hope in your community; he is the only hope for all the world.”

Organizations like Operation BlessingSamaritan’s Purse, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) are providing critical assistance, as previously reported by Metro Voice

-Metro Voice Staff

Leave a Reply

X
X