Covenant News

Update on the Fires in Southern California

CONCORD, CA (October 31, 2003) - Pacific Southwest Conference (PSWC) representatives have talked with churches and conference centers in Southern California and ask prayers specifically for one church and one conference center especially vulnerable to fires in their regions.

Jack Hawkins, pastor of Canyon Springs Covenant Church, said that eight families have lost homes in north and east San Diego. Members of the congregation are opening their homes to not only these families but to other families in the community that have lost their homes.

While fires in San Diego have ebbed a bit due to cooler temperatures and decreased winds, those in the mountain areas of San Bernardino County are still at risk. Alpine Conference Center in Blue Jay remains in a serious threat area, according to Evelyn Johnson, superintendent of the PSWC. Shifting winds make for an unpredictable nature of this scenario.

On Wednesday, fires consumed 20,000 acres in the area near Alpine Conference Center. It was one of seven fires burning in four California counties.

One of the full-time Alpine facility staff members and his wife have lost all their personal property in a fire at their rented home. The young couple are expecting a baby in February and had no renters' insurance.

More coverage about the California fires and their impact on Covenanters and Covenant churches and organizations will be available on www.covchurch.org.

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