Adventist Churches in L.A. Unite to Support Victims of Palisade Fires

In the wake of the devastating L.A. fires, Seventh-day Adventist churches in Los Angeles, California, are uniting to provide aid and support to those who have been displaced and affected.

“I am seeing this city come together in a beautiful way,” said Manuel Arteaga, lead pastor of White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Located in inner-city Los Angeles, White Memorial church’s proximity to the fires has prompted churches from suburban areas to funnel resources through them.

“We are seeing members and churches from the suburbs bringing resources to us, the inner-city church,” Arteaga said.

One such church is Adonai Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Norwalk, a city in Los Angeles County. On January 11 the church canceled its evening worship service to bring collected donations to volunteers and victims of the fires.

“We had a great turnout of volunteers and an abundance of donated items to distribute, including blankets and medicine,” Daniel Castanaza, pastor of Adonai Adventist church, said. “We were able to leave some volunteers at the Santa Anita racetrack, while another group of volunteers went to drop off the rest of the items at White Memorial church.”

The Palisades Fire, considered the worst in Los Angeles’ history, broke out on January 7 in the midmorning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

As of the latest reports, the fires remain uncontained, burning more than 39,000 acres (about 15,800 hectares) across multiple fire zones. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes and businesses, and at least 25 people have tragically lost their lives. More than 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and many people are reported missing. With additional evacuation notices expected, the death toll could continue to rise as damage assessments unfold.

Another church offering aid and shelter is Valley Crossroads Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“We are shifting our worship experience from sitting in church to actually helping people in our community,” said Roscoe Shields, pastor of Valley Crossroads church.

Instead of holding Sabbath worship service, church members distributed flyers urging community members to mobilize together.

While hundreds of church members have rallied together to support those in need, it was not only Adventists who responded to the call.

“We have people who are not even associated with the Adventist Church joining us because of their desire to help others,” Shields said. “All of these churches are distributing essential items, including diapers, medicine, water bottles, blankets, nonperishable food, and toiletries.”

On January 11, Valley Crossroads church also served more than 500 meals to individuals in need.

Arteaga and Shields both spoke about how the fires are impacting the Adventist community, highlighting the unity they have fostered while also acknowledging that they too are victims of the disaster.

“We knew that we would have church members who would probably be displaced,” Shields said.

“We have pastors and teachers who have lost their homes and properties,” Arteaga added.

John Cress, president of the Southern California Conference, is one of the evacuees within the Adventist community.

“These are challenging times for all of us in southern California,” Cress said in an Instagram reel posted on January 9. “I, too, had to evacuate my home, so I deeply understand the uncertainty many of you are facing. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes. I know it is extremely difficult for all of us right now. Please know that you are in my prayers.”

Normandie Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, another church offering shelter, is experiencing an outpouring of community support.

“We have received an overwhelming response!” Deon Chatman, pastor of Normandie Avenue Adventist church, said. “The phone has been ringing nonstop with people from the community willing to help.”

Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, addressed the fires in a recent Facebook post.

“We are as shocked as everyone regarding the almost surreal devastation that has taken place in Los Angeles and the southern California area,” Wilson wrote. “Our hearts go out to those who have lost family and property through the horrendous fires. We are grateful for the support and care being provided by the Southern California Conference churches and Adventist Community Services.”

Wilson continued further by giving a call-to-action among Seventh-day Adventist members.

“This and other recent developments are signs of the urgency that all of us must feel as we see these developments around us, as predicted by the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, that would come to pass before Christ’s second coming, when the Lord will put an end to the results of sin and its destructive forces. Please join our world church family in praying for those experiencing this terrible tragedy,” Wilson wrote.

Arteaga is staying positive despite the pain the fires are causing. “Pain unifies people,” Arteaga said. “We are seeing a beautiful influx of leadership, and I believe this is a turning point for our congregation in particular, because we are united in purpose and mission.”

The original version of this story was posted by ANN.