In the wake of the devastating Palisade 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’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,” said Arteaga.

One such church is Adonai Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Norwalk, a city in Los Angeles County. On January 11, 2025, 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,” said Daniel Castanaza, pastor of Adonai Seventh-day Adventist Church. “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 deadliest in Los Angeles history, broke out on January 7 in the mid-morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

As of the latest reports, the fires remain uncontained, burning over 39,000 acres across multiple fire zones. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, including homes and businesses, and at least 13 people have tragically lost their lives. Over 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 Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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

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

“We have people who are not even associated with the Adventist church joining us because of their desire to help others,” said Shields.

All of these churches are distributing essential items, including diapers, medicine, water bottles, blankets, non-perishable food, and toiletries." On January 11, Valley Crossroads also served over 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,” said Shields.

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

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

“These are challenging times for all of us in Southern California,” Cress said in an Instagram reel posted Thursday, January 9, 2025. “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 and accepting donations, is experiencing an outpouring of community support.

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

Volunteers rally to support victims of Palisade fires.

[Photo: White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church]

Volunteers rally to support victims of Palisade fires.

[Photo: Valley Crossroads Seventh-day Adventist Church]

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 the Los Angeles and Southern California area,” wrote Wilson. “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,” wrote Wilson.

Arteaga is staying positive, despite the pain this is causing.

[Photo: Valley Crossroads Seventh-day Adventist Church]

[Photo: Valley Crossroads Seventh-day Adventist Church]

[Photo: White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church]

[Photo: White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church]

“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.”

In response to the fires, the Southern California Conference has created the California Fires Fund on the AdventistGiving site for Adventists to provide financial donations to support the cause. The funds will be used for shelter, emergency supplies, and gift cards.

Adventist Community Services (ACS), the official community outreach ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the North American Division (NAD), continues to monitor the situation as they work to provide support in partnership with the NAD. ADRA, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, is also providing an emergency grant to ACS in the Pacific Union Conference to support immediate relief and long-term recovery.