Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Council

You’ve seen the images in the media of the California wildfires and realized their stunning impact. What you haven’t seen is the moving response of Presbyterians in those areas, supported by the skilled volunteers working with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on the National Response Team.

We have sent three teams into the areas affected by the fires: one in San Diego, one in Pacific Presbytery, and another in Riverside Presbytery. Over 500,000 persons were evacuated from the fires’ path.

Almost all Presbyterian facilities have escaped damage from the fires, although the damage to member homes has been significant. Our presence with the infrastructure of churches in the midst of these communities means that we have been able to play an important role in the disaster response, and in ministries of compassion for those communities.

Malibu Presbyterian Church was destroyed by the fires and one of our response teams has been onsite working with the church’s leaders and members.

Please join me in prayer for those whose lives have been impacted, and for those who are working valiantly to create recovery.