As 'Apocalyptic' Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Pastors Minister Hope Amidst Devastation

Brody Carter : Jan 9, 2025
CBN News

"It's knowing that God is still in control. I don't want to just bypass that moment and throw a Scripture on it. We're ambassadors of hope, navigating this as sensitively and appropriately as possible for those who are fearful and have lost their homes." -Pastor Chad Veach of Zoe Church

[CBN News] As wildfires rage across Los Angeles, the situation is being described by some as "apocalyptic." Five lives have already been lost, and tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes. Local pastors are stepping up to bring hope in the midst of heartbreak. (Screengrab image: via CBN News)

At least five major fires are tearing through Los Angeles, with fierce winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour fueling the flames and sparking new hotspots. Firefighters are working tirelessly, but entire neighborhoods have been devastated.

So far, over 25,000 acres have been scorched, and more than 2,000 structures have been destroyed.

Low water pressure and dozens of "dry" hydrants are complicating firefighting efforts.

Hollywood filmmaker Carah Chafin described the surreal scene: "When the sun was coming up, I came up here on my deck to see what was going on, and my first thought was just like, oh my gosh, this is the apocalypse. It looks like a war zone or something." Carah, like many others, awaits evacuation orders as flames encroach on her community.

Aaron Samson and his 83-year-old father-in-law were among the evacuees. "We've just been evacuated from this Good Samaritan's car. This is crazy. There's a fire right outside our car," Samson said, capturing the chaos in a harrowing video.

Meanwhile, Pastor Chad Veach of Zoe Church is focused on grieving with his community while offering spiritual guidance. "It's knowing that God is still in control," Veach said. "I don't want to just bypass that moment and throw a Scripture on it. We're ambassadors of hope, navigating this as sensitively and appropriately as possible for those who are fearful and have lost their homes."

Zoe Church, located just five miles from the flames, is partnering with organizations like the Los Angeles Dream Center to collect and distribute emergency supplies for victims. More details on their efforts can be found through Zoe Church's fire relief initiative. Pastor Matthew Barnett, who leads the Dream Center, is providing vital resources to those in need.

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church is encouraging Christians to pray for containment and rain. "At this point, there's zero containment. We need some divine intervention," Laurie said. He has also set up a donation fund through his church to support relief efforts. "Lord, we need the winds to stop. It would even be a little better if the rain came too," he prayed.

CBN's Operation Blessing is also on the ground, working with local ministries to coordinate relief efforts for the victims.

As the fires continue to spread, the Los Angeles community's resilience and faith remain a beacon of hope in these trying times. Residents are urged to stay safe, support relief efforts, and keep those affected in their prayers. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Brody Carter has been reporting and anchoring at CBN since 2021.