‘God is Real’: Camp Fire Survivors Share Stories of Hope with BGEA Chaplains

By   •   January 23, 2019

Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have been serving in Butte County, California, since Nov. 10, 2018.

Every day the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is hearing stories of God’s mercy and provision as the crisis-trained chaplains walk alongside survivors of the Camp Fire in Butte County, California.

A hundred chaplains have deployed during the two-month timeframe to listen, cry and pray with people in the aftermath the deadliest and most destructive fire in California’s history. The blaze claimed at least 85 lives and hundreds are still missing. A final report indicates that 153,336 acres with nearly 14,000 homes, businesses and other buildings burned. Hundreds are still staying at the last remaining shelter, which reports state is due to close at the end of this month.

It’s a bleak time for many. The shock has worn off. The grief is immense. Next steps for a new life can seem daunting. And yet, every single day chaplains are hearing from people who claim God is moving in their lives. Here are five stories of hope:

‘Thy Will Be Done’: The homeowner remembered sitting in her car surrounded by countless motorists all vying for survival. A river of fire had bottlenecked the frantic crowd. She didn’t race them, though. She waited her turn. She decided to trust God even as the flames licked the side of her car. “I never expected to die this way,” she remembered praying. “But if this is Your will, Thy will be done.” She turned her focus and prayed for people all around her. About an hour later, she had an opportunity to steer her car onto safety. “She knew that her Heavenly Father had saved her life,” the chaplain reported later. “It was healing for the woman to tell her story.” Together, they all prayed thanking God for His mercy.

Tent Revival: A man from nearby Magalia, California, stopped by the Mobile Ministry Center to thank the Rapid Response Team for serving in his county. Like so many, his home was burned to the ground. A believer himself, he welcomed prayer and challenged the chaplains as he left to visit what’s left of his hometown. The chaplains were delighted by the invite and surprised the man by showing up later that day. Overjoyed, he directed them to a tent where locals shared their harrowing stories. One man explained, “I jumped into my car as my tail lights were melting and sped into a traffic jam. I thought I was going to die, and I need to know that there is more than this life because I could have been gone just like some of the others.”

The chaplains talked with this man and others about Heaven, and how Jesus made a way for us to spend eternity there with God. After understanding the Good News, the man wanted to pray and ask Jesus into his heart. Another woman nearby asked to do the same thing.

God Has a Plan: The man with a long white beard sat down to rest in the Mobile Ministry Center, sheepishly adding, “I’ve never had a beard in my life, but since this fire took everything I owned I haven’t even had time to shave.” He began to share his traumatic story. The raging fire moved at lightning speed through his neighborhood. He had to run, but his bad knee made that difficult. “God is real,” said the man who professed to know Christ. “I know this because I was literally running down my street with flames 50 feet behind me. I would fall down every few feet and someone would snatch me by the back of my neck and stand me up so I could continue running. This happened more than once until I was safe.” The chaplains, honored to hear his story, reminded their brother in Christ that Jesus loves him and has a plan for him.

Timely Word: After praying for the Samaritan’s Purse team, the chaplains met a mother and son at the site where their home used to stand. Volunteers sifted through ashes looking for meaningful keepsakes for the homeowners, and one of the chaplains began talking with the son about John 3:16. As their conversation unfolded, a nearby volunteer brought the man something buried in the ash. The chaplain was in awe. It was a perfectly preserved plaque bearing the Scripture verse of John 3:16. The young man explained how earlier in his life he had a relationship with Jesus, but had strayed away. He said he was ready to make some big changes and wanted to rededicate his life to the Lord. Afterward the chaplain shared, “Praise God for His enduring grace and never letting one of His own be snatched out of His hand.”

Sign from God: A woman ran up to the chaplains in the resource center, burst into tears and put her hands over her face. “It’s a sign from God!” she exclaimed. Only moments before she had been walking through the center, barefoot and with only the clothes on her back. The fire had taken everything from her, and while she met Jesus Christ during a Decision America Tour event in California, she had lost her way. Despaired, she wanted a sign from God. This was it, she believed.

She talked with the chaplains, who listened to her story, comforted her and assured her of her salvation. A chaplain also helped her with next steps in her recovery effort and gave her one of Billy Graham’s book. God is on your side, they reassured her.

God is for you, too. Learn more about His love.

Please continue to pray for these homeowners and all who work to serve them.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team exists because of BGEA’s faithful donors. If you would like to give to the Rapid Response Team to help send crisis-trained chaplains to minister to hurting communities, you can make a secure donation from your computer or mobile device.