Spirit-filled churches activated resources near and far to assist evacuees from the Shasta County fires in Northern California.
Bethel Redding deployed volunteers, and Red Bluff Vineyard opened its doors as an emergency shelter.
Luke Geraty, pastor of Red Bluff Vineyard, says his church, located about 25 miles south of Redding, is appealing to the Lord through Psalms of lament.
“Prayers are extremely helpful,” Geraty said. “There are also major needs for resources, especially financial support (from what I have heard, for example, Shasta College has needed bedding supplies, etc.). And people are definitely going to need help in the coming months after losing everything. Pray for rain. Pray for the wind to die down and cooler temperatures. Pray for safety for the firefighters and other first responders. Pray for comfort for the families of the two casualties thus far. Pray for the thousands of people who have either lost their homes/businesses or who have been evacuated. Pray for provision and resources for all. Pray for miracles.”
The fire has consumed nearly 90,000 acres and is less than 5 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. More than 3,000 fire fighters are battling the flames, which are rapidly approaching Yosemite National Park.
The Red Bluff Vineyard is accepting the following donations:
- Toiletries.
- Diapers and baby wipes.
- Food and water.
- Financial contributions.
- Gift cards (gas, food, groceries).
- Cots, pillows and bedding.
- Online donations through Red Bluff Vineyard’s site (Carr Fire Fund).
Bethel launched a Facebook group to pool resources for and from local community members.
They also issued specific prayer points:
- Winds to die down.
- Provision (fiscal and practical) covering for those who have lost much.
- Peace, safety and wisdom for our firefighters and first responders, as well as our officials.
- Joy and hope levels in our city to rise and in the relief centers.
- For certainty and strategy to battle the fire and to know its movements.
- For total containment.
- For the smoke to lift for planes to be able to provide air coverage.
- For no more loss of life.
- No more damaged property.
- Incredible breakthrough in this fire.
- Incredible provision.
- For our city to not just rebound, but to be able to fully recover the way God intended our city to.
Donations can be made to the Bethel Global Response team through texting “$___ Bethel Relief” to 45777.
Matthew Barnett of the LA Dream Center is sending a fleet of volunteers and a truck to Bethel’s distribution center.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed chaplains to Redding on Sunday.
“Please pray for those in the path of this deadly wildfire that is tearing through communities in California,” BGEA President Franklin Graham posted to Facebook.
Donations can be made through BGEA here.
FaithStay, a Christian airbnb, is recruiting hosts to open their homes to evacuees.
If you want to help those affected by the fires, you can give through Charisma’s non-profit partner Christian Life Missions. One hundred percent of your donation will go to those affected. We have already sent $5000 to Bill Johnson and Bethel Church since they know where the needs are. Send a check to Fire Disaster Fund, Christian Life Missions, 600 Rinehart Rd. Lake Mary, Florida 32746. Or give through PayPal at christianlifemissions.org. or call 407-333-0600 during business hours to give by phone.
Spirit-filled leaders shared their heart and prayer requests for Redding in social media posts.
Here’s a sampling:
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