“There were 8 churches that burned and 14 pastors who lost their homes.”
Chris Bennett is the lead pastor of Vintage Malibu Church in one of the areas ravaged by recent wildfires.
He says area ministers are banding together in coalitions across denominations to help each other.
“What you’re seeing is people rallying together and making it not about the name on the building but making it about the people. So there’s a lot of beautiful collaboration happening.”
One partnership reaches across the country.
Pastor Bennett says a Michigan couple who lost a second home in the wildfires connected the California churches with a Michigan mission.
International Aid provides emergency supplies to people affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crisis and gave the churches $200,000 of sorely needed cash for immediate needs.
“We did have a widow in our church who lost her husband less than a year ago and her home was completely destroyed. We’re trying not only to care for her in a pastoral way but also trying to help her put the pieces together and International Aid has been a part of how we’ve been able to do that.”
Experts say donations dwindle about four weeks after a tragedy when the media attention has passed.
Bennett prays partnerships continue much longer than that.
“Just don’t forget us, don’t forget these communities that are going to be rebuilding for years to come. Have a soft heart and keep us in your prayers.”
Donations can be made through International Aid on their website.
