News – Disaster Relief

In the summer of 2022, the Oak Fire in Mariposa County burned approximately 20,000 acres and destroyed nearly 200 structures. CSBCDR responded, and teams were assembled. I was able to serve on a Personal Property Recovery (PPR) team in which we would search for items in homes destroyed by the wildfire.   For me personally, the fire…

If I had to summarize what we do at CSBC Disaster Relief, it would be that we step forward into difficult situations, giving of ourselves, all while trusting God. As a new SBCDR chaplain, I have been deployed fortunately (or unfortunately) 4 times for disaster relief in the last seven months. What was once theoretical…

In August 2020, the state of California began housing evacuees from the Santa Cruz fires at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove. The pandemic brought about changes to every segment of life, and disaster relief was no exception. Suddenly, congregate shelters – shelters set up to house dozens of people under one roof –…

From refugees escaping war in Romania, and hurricanes in the Southern US, to earthquakes, devastating wildfires, and winter storms in our own state, California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteers continue to bring help and hope to those impacted by disasters. This month we will be featuring some of the exciting kingdom work our disaster relief…

FRESNO – CSBC ministry leaders and staff gathered for the first “staff week” meetings of 2023. The office welcomed Dave Peugh, pastor of The Avenue Church in Fresno, to deliver the message at chapel. Focusing on Matthew chapter 11, Peugh gave a special word he said God placed on his heart, including insights gleaned from…

FRESNO – February 17th marked an evening of long-awaited celebration after two years of postponements for California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry leaders and volunteers. Seven awards were presented to distinguished individuals for contributions made during deployments taking place both nationally and internationally between 2020 to 2022. During the opening of the program, Disaster Relief…

MARIPOSA—With more than 19,000 acres having burned in the oak Fire since July 22, California Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief volunteers in early August ministered to more than 100 homeowners affected by wildfire. DR volunteers helped with one of the most vital resources they can provide, personal property recovery (PPR). But the thing that leaves…

By Grace Thornton When God called Rob Bline into full-time ministry, he left a 16-year career in the rental equipment industry.  “I remember telling my wife that I felt like I wasted all that time … that I had all this experience with nothing to do with it,” Bline, former associate pastor at Glory Bound…

By David Roach QUINCY—As pastor Daniel Hanna ministered to Northern California residents displaced by the Dixie Fire, he learned about a senior adult whose dentures had been lost in the blaze—which has burned nearly 700 homes. She hadn’t eaten solid food in days, so Hanna asked if he could help. One call to a local…

By Anthony Beaird The three-week-old Dixie Fire engulfed the town of Greenville along with Greenville Southern Baptist Church’s fellowship hall and youth building on Aug. 5. The church had a small apartment in which a father and three daughters were living. All four were evacuated safely, but now face the loss of their home.  The…