Originally published in Charisma
The recent wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles have left a trail of devastation that is hard to comprehend. Thousands of hectares have burned, families have lost homes and entire communities are grappling with the emotional and physical toll. Yet, in the midst of this unimaginable tragedy, something remarkable is happening: people are flocking to churches in numbers not seen in years.
Pastors and chaplains across the city are witnessing what some are calling a “revival through disaster”. Drew Sams, senior pastor at Belair Church, shared that many who used to attend church only for Christmas or Easter are now showing up every week. “People have lost schools, homes, and even their church buildings,” he said. “But they’re finding hope and comfort in God during this crisis.”
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Police chaplain Steve Wilber describes the wildfires as a “great leveler”, bringing together people from all walks of life. Families who might never have crossed paths are now standing shoulder to shoulder, leaning on one another for strength. Wilber has seen an outpouring of faith as people, facing their deepest fears, make new commitments to Christ. “When people are hurting, there’s an openness to finding hope,” he said. “And that’s exactly what the church is offering.”
As reported by CBN News, this surge in church attendance has been a powerful reminder of the resilience of faith. While flames may destroy buildings, they cannot extinguish the human spirit — or the ability of God to bring beauty from ashes.
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In times like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the destruction, but stories of hope remind us of a greater truth: God can take what the devil meant for evil and turn it into something good. As neighbors support neighbors and churches open their doors to the hurting, we see firsthand how God is moving in the midst of hardship.
Sometimes, it’s in the darkest moments that the light of faith shines the brightest. The fires may rage on, but so does the hope of a city rising from the ashes, united by faith and the enduring promise of renewal.
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