As wildfires ravage areas in and around Los Angeles, at least one PCA congregation is feeling the devastation. The pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Santa Monica, California, estimates a quarter of his congregation has lost their home in the Pacific Palisades wildfire.
More than 12,000 structures have burned in the fires, which have claimed sixteen lives.
Alex Watlington, senior pastor of Pacific Crossroads, said many members of Pacific Crossroads have evacuated and are spread out over the city staying with friends at hotels. In addition to the destruction of their primary residence, Watlington told byFaith some members have lost their businesses as well.,
“It feels like we’re losing part of our city. The Palisades seems just to be gone,” Watlington told Christianity Today. “There’s not just damage; it’s just gone. Like it was never there.”
At their normal Sunday service yesterday, Pacific Crossroads took time for a special prayer of lament for the destruction experienced by their church members and the surrounding community. Additionally, they invited anyone in attendance who may be in need or distress to approach volunteers positioned throughout the meeting space and receive prayer.
Watlington’s sermon was focused on Psalm 63, thirsting for God in a dry and weary land. Like David, Watlington reminded the congregation that God invites us to bring our frustration and despair to him while sending us away with grace and hope. Christianity doesn’t merely offer consolation. It offers resurrection.
John Stone, interim pastor of Grace Pasadena, said members of the congregation have had to evacuate. While his family has not evacuated and the church’s worship space is safe, the scope of the damage is sobering.
“This is as bad a catastrophe as I’ve ever witnessed,” he told byFaith. The church is partnering with two other local congregations to collect and distribute goods to those in need.
The sermon at Grace’s service yesterday was based on Psalm 23. Ben Ewen, the church’s assistant pastor, reminded people that our Good Shepherd runs toward the dark places to make his presence known and felt.
In 2018 Ridge Presbyterian Church in Paradise, California, was destroyed in the Camp wildfire, the largest and deadliest wildfire at the time. As Bryan Laws, one of the pastors, recalled about that devastating experience, “I ended up praying prayers that day that I thought I would never have to pray. Like, ‘Lord, if I don’t make it today, please at least get my family out.’” The church reeled and regrouped, but recovery wasn’t easy.
Pacific Crossroads is coordinating aid through the ministry Hope for LA. MNA’s Disaster Response is currently assessing the situation and coordinating with churches on the ground. ByFaith reached out to all the PCA near evacuation zones, and will provide updates as they are made available.
“It is sad and hard,” Stone said. “We need lots of help,” Watlington said.