ELCA Aids $100,000 in Wildfire Victims

CHICAGO – The humanitarian arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American issued nearly $100,000 in grants to the survivors of the California wildfires that surged through the state this fall.

Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director of Lutheran Disaster Response called the grants a necessity for people “with need for basic existence.” And “helping to minister to the elderly, the poor, the unemployed and the children.”

Planned programs include “Camp Noah,” a weeklong day camp for children traumatized by disasters, and a support for pastors “who are doing intense ministry on the front lines.”

Furst spent several days in San Bernardino and San Diego counties earlier this month to assess the progression of the “two worst of the five counties affected by the wildfires." About 750,000 acres burned and more than 3,600 houses were destroyed; twenty lives were also taken through the fires.

"In all my years of disaster response ministries, I have never seen such widespread and total destruction as I saw these past days in southern California," Furst said.

"Everything was gray and black. The ground was burned and baked. Vegetation was gone and bare boulders showed on mountain sides. In [some] communities there is random destruction. The fires were fanned by the Santa Ana winds, so they acted like tornadoes, randomly destroying one house and not another, burning entire blocks and sparing others. The air smelled of charred wood and was full of ash," he said.

During his stay in California, Furst met with pastors serving Lutheran congregations in Southern California that have been affected by the wildfires. Lutheran Disaster Response has set up offices at several church facilities, including Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Ramona, a town in San Diego County, where three people from the congregation died in the fires.

"Lutheran Disaster Response is working in cooperation with the United Methodists in case management and distribution of emergency supplies," Furst said.

Monetary contributions will provide the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long-term and unmet needs, as well as spiritual and emotional counseling, added Furst.

“It will sustain our Lutheran presence, providing ministry to so many [people] who are presently helpless and hopeless, bringing them help and hope in the long haul," he said.

Contributions can be mailed to: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.