AG churches somewhat spared by wildfires, so far

Although hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated and
thousands of structures lost due to the wildfires in Southern
California, so far not one Assemblies of God church has been lost,
though there are reports coming in of damage done to churches by the
fires.

According to the office of Ray Rachels, the Southern California
District Council superintendent, at this point, they are only aware
of one pastor losing his home. Lupe Hernandez, who pastors Rincon
Chapel Assembly of God on the Rincon Indian Reservation, had his
home destroyed by the fire.

However, a number of churches have experienced fire damage, and
almost all AG churches in the area have been affected by the blaze
as church members, family members or friends have lost homes.

Although the fires are not as wide-spread now, they are still
burning on three different fronts. Rachel's office asks for prayer
for moderate rainfall (to avoid mud slides) and that the powerful
Santa Ana winds expected this weekend will not materialize.

Convoy of Hope is working with the district and churches to help
assess and meet needs in the area. To assist Convoy in this
ministry of compassion, see http://www.ConvoyofHope.org.

For updates from the Southern California District on the relief
efforts, see http://www.socalag.org/disasterupdate.

— Dan Van Veen, AG News

Convoy of Hope sends team to Southern California

With more than half a million people displaced by the Southern
California wildfires, the need for food, water and shelter is
critical. In order to help meet this need, an assessment team from
Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Mo., was dispatched to
Southern California Tuesday afternoon as wildfires, fanned by Santa
Anna winds, continued to whip across the region.

"Because we felt it was important to get an assessment team in
place immediately, our team arrived in California Wednesday to
assess the situation and determine how Convoy of Hope can be of the
most help," says Kary D. Kingsland, U.S. Disaster Response director.

So far, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and more than a half a
million people have been forced to evacuate their residences and
places of business. Many evacuees have made their way to local
churches, schools and even Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

President Bush declared a federal emergency for seven counties, a
move that will speed disaster-relief efforts. Convoy of Hope
representatives plan to enlist the help of corporate partners to
speed relief supplies to organizations and people in need. Though
the fires have been blazing undeterred for three days, containment
of the fires will be difficult as the ground is tinder-dry, high
winds aren't forecasted to abate any time soon, and temperatures are
expected to rise in the coming days.

Kingsland believes Convoy of Hope's role will grow even larger after
the fires have been contained. "There is a lot of need right now,"
he says. "But we expect that need to become even greater after the
fires are contained. That's when people will have time to assess
what they have lost and what they need."

More information on how Convoy of Hope is working to bring
relief to the victims of the Southern California wildfires is available at http://www.convoyofhope.org or by calling 417-823-8998.

— Kristin Kubitschek, AG News