California fires threaten churches, displace members

A firefighter battles the Palisades fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 7. (AP/Ethan Swope)

By Cheryl Magness

On Jan. 7, a series of wildfires, fueled by the Santa Ana winds, broke out in Los Angeles County, California. Currently, more than 29,000 acres are estimated to have burned, along with more than a thousand homes, businesses and other structures. Widespread evacuations have been ordered. Five people have reportedly died, with that number expected to rise. At this writing, three of the five named fire zones — Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Sunset — are still 0% uncontained.

Palisades Lutheran Church in Pacific Palisades, Calif., is within 100 yards of the fire line. The congregation’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Martin Lee, reports that a neighboring church, Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, has already burned.

Lee has been updating followers on Facebook since the first signs of fire began. On the evening of Jan. 8, Lee wrote, “Our church remains by God’s grace, so far. We will want to be available for worship, distribution, housing, meet-ups and any other possible use to support those in need.” Lee reported that the parsonage also remains standing.

The Rev. Mike Gibson, president of the Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), is closely monitoring the situation. He reports that 10 members of Palisades Lutheran have had their homes destroyed, including the retired emeritus pastor. Among other LCMS churches in the areas threatened by fire, a number of members have had to evacuate and at least one other family has lost their home. Some students at Pacifica Christian High School, affiliated with Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, have also lost their homes. Many LCMS congregation members have had to secure alternative housing due to the evacuations, and at least one of the affected congregations is planning to hold services online this weekend due to the evacuations.

The Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response, reached out to the Pacific Southwest District when the first reports of fire began coming in, offering the Synod’s support and prayers in the days and weeks to come. It will be some time before the full extent of damage and the resulting needs are known.

Late in the evening on Jan. 8, Rev. Lee posted the text of Psalm 27 on Facebook. Verse 4 speaks of a house that is eternal, one that can never be destroyed by fire or any other threat: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (NIV).

Please keep all of those who have been affected by the fires, and those who are still in harm’s way, in your prayers. Further information will be provided when it is available.

Posted Jan. 9, 2025