Texans on Mission joining California churches in response to fires

Editor’s Note: This portion of the story was updated on January 16, 2025.

DALLAS — Trucks and trailers rolled out of Texans on Mission headquarters in Dallas Wednesday morning for support of California churches responding to devastating wildfires.

Shower/laundry units are on the way. A semi-truck load of supplies also left Dallas with masks, water filters, Tyvek suits, Bibles, cots and gloves.

A TXM team is already in California meeting with church partners to determine how best to respond. The churches have asked TXM to help establish on-site services, thus “creating a respite for people that don't have another place to go to get away from the stress, be encouraged and have someone pray with them,” said TXM Chief Strategy Officer Rand Jenkins.

“Their children will have a place to play,” Jenkins said. “They'll have their clothes washed for them. They'll get a hot cup of coffee and be able to talk to some of our volunteers and some of the local pastors.”

While TXM focuses now on helping churches provide respite for weary residents, fire recovery efforts commonly called ash out will likely emerge in the coming weeks. “As with the 2023 fires in Maui, authorities have to keep sites secure for a time,” said TXM Chief Mission Officer John Hall. “And, in this situation, fires are still blazing and battling the flames is a top priority. 

“Recovery time will come, and Texans on Mission will continue to work with churches in how best to be of support,” Hall said. “As we like to say, we’re bringing help, hope and healing now, and we will need to do so for quite some time.”

In a video for TXM supporters, Jenkins said: “Thank you for what you're doing. Thank you for the prayers you're sending this way. This is an amazing need, and you are an amazing group of people that come together every time.”

Editor’s Note: This is the original story posted on January 14, 2025.

LOS ANGELES — A four-person Texans on Mission team is in California working to multiply ministry of churches and chart a long-term relief effort in the area devastated by raging fires.

"The situation here is heavy," said Rand Jenkins, a member of the team. "We're striving to find a way to multiply efforts to meet needs in the name of Christ."

Roughly 150,000 people have evacuated as a result of the fires already, and 50-65 mph winds are forecast in the area this week. More than 99% of these people have taken shelter with family or friends or are staying in hotels.

“Texans on Mission is partnering with local churches to meet needs,” TXM Chief Executive Officer Mickey Lenamon said in a letter to supporters. “As these families left their homes, they had no idea what they would return to. Even if their house isn't burnt to the ground, it's highly likely it will be so covered by ash that it will need rebuilding.

“Working through these church partners, the strike team is discovering ways to meet expanded physical, emotional and spiritual needs,” Lenamon said. “The weight of the fire literally hangs in the air everywhere these families turn.”

Lenamon said the government has “designated regions that have been burned as hazardous areas and have significantly restricted access for safety. “We expect our fire recovery teams will not get access to the area for at least four weeks. It may be longer. If you remember, there was a similar waiting period after the Maui fires.”

TXM Chief Mission Officer John Hall noted that TXM has been “working on these California church connections for over a year, thinking about how we could help them respond to a disaster. Now, the time has come.”

The local churches are saying,  “We want you to train us how to do the fire recovery,” Hall said. “We want to do this together. It’s a beautiful image of the body of Christ.”

TXM is focusing on an “area that is varied economically,” he said. “A lot of people, even more well-off ones, have had their fire insurance coverage dropped. Needs are and will be significant for a long time ahead.”

The TXM team now in California is working specifically on four possible needs:

• Water filters
• Feeding
• Shower/Laundry
• Fire recovery

“As we always do, we're taking a step of faith,” Hall said. 

Lenamon, in his note to TXM supporters, said: “We are early in this disaster. The situation is evolving each day.”

He asked people to pray specifically for:

• A swift end to the fires.
• For those who have been affected by the fires.
• Strength for the firefighters who are valiantly serving.
• The churches that are serving with TXM to minister to people impacted by the fires.
• That the Gospel be clearly proclaimed.