Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains are responding in Southern California—where smoke from ongoing wildfires is in view, and fine ash particles fill the air.
Hundreds of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties—where the Palisades and Eaton fires are raging. At least 24 people have died, and, with strong winds driving them, the blazes have quickly charred over 12,000 structures and 60 square miles of land.
A safe distance from the flames, crisis-trained chaplains are offering emotional and spiritual support in shelters set up for those who have fled their homes.
That’s how John LaBelle, a BG-RRT chaplain, met Sydney* and Addison,* who were handing out water bottles to displaced people at a shelter in Arcadia.
“I see you are handing out water,” he said to the 19-year-old Californians after chatting for a while. “Have you ever heard about the ‘Living Water’?”
The young women had never heard that term, so LaBelle shared with them what Jesus said in John 7:38: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (ESV).
Sydney told LaBelle that she had never been to church before. Addison had just started attending a church with her boyfriend the week before. They both said they’d like to know how to receive the “Living Water” LaBelle spoke of.
As the girls looked on intently, LaBelle took them through “Steps to Peace With God”—a small booklet about how to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Having heard the Gospel for the first time, the girls shared that they wanted to invite Jesus Christ into their lives.
The three prayed, and Addison and Sydney began their new lives in Jesus together.
LaBelle gave each of them a Bible to help them grow in their newfound faith, and he gave Addison a “Steps to Peace With God” booklet for her to share with her boyfriend.
“I got a Bible cover for Christmas, and now I got a Bible for it,” Addison said excitedly.
“They were gleaming, smiling—just full of joy,” LaBelle recalled.
“There are so many people like that who live in America who have never heard that Gospel message.”
As chaplains continue to offer Christ’s comfort and compassion to those devastated by these terrible fires—and to first responders and volunteers—please pray for many more life-changing Gospel conversations.
*Names changed to protect privacy
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