Calvary Chapel Teams Observe Hope in L.A. County
Peggy Brown, wife of Calvary Chapel Romoland Pastor Gerry Brown, has a conversation with a young National Guardsman serving in fire-ravaged Altadena, that eventually led to him giving his life to Christ.
A father and daughter rejoice as their Altadena home was spared from the wild fires. They helped to save the homes of four other neighbors as well.
As the fires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, and with the looming threat of Santa Ana winds coming this week, Pastor Gerry Brown, his U-Turn for Christ team, and several Southern California Calvary Chapel ministries have been tirelessly serving those in need in Altadena. They’ve been feeding both the weary first responders and the courageous community members who remain on the front lines.
Among those who stayed behind was a man and his daughter, who had moved into their home just eight months ago. Pastor Gerry, the founder of U-Turn for Christ and pastor of Calvary Chapel Romoland, shared a powerful moment with them. “They stayed behind to save their home, and in doing so, this man became a hero—saving not only his own home but also the homes of four neighbors,” Gerry said, moved by the humble gratitude they expressed. “What a blessing it was to hear him simply say, ‘Thank you for being here for us.’”
In the words of Jesus from Mark 12:30-31: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Gerry took the opportunity to encourage the man, quoting from Philippians 2:3: “The Bible says we should consider others as more important than ourselves. That’s exactly what you did. You put your neighbors above your own safety, and because of that, you saved their homes.”
In the wake of the fire, many residents of Altadena, temporarily confined to their homes by the smoke and danger, chose to stay behind to protect their properties. “We’re seeing hundreds of ‘shut-ins’,” Gerry explained. “These are the people who stayed behind to protect their homes, and we’ve been delivering food and water to them, because they refuse to leave. Law enforcement has allowed them to stay, but if they leave, they can’t return.”
Gerry also noted that many of these residents became unsung heroes in their own right. “They used hoses to fight the fires and save their homes, but they also stayed because they didn’t want to leave their properties vulnerable to looters. There have been several arrests already in the area for theft.”
Amidst this chaos, a young National Guard soldier from San Diego approached Peggy Brown, the wife of Pastor Gerry. The soldier, who had been tasked with guarding homes from looters, expressed his gratitude for the meals being provided to first responders and fire victims. “He was deeply moved by the support,” Peggy shared. “He had trouble understanding how people could prey on others during such a devastating time.”
As darkness approached and his duties grew more dangerous, Peggy offered to pray for him. “He eagerly accepted,” she said. “We prayed for safety and strength for him and his comrades, and I shared Romans 8:28 with him: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
As the young soldier lingered, both Gerry and Peggy felt the encounter was part of a greater plan. “He shared with us that he was burdened by guilt and sin from his past and longed for forgiveness,” Peggy recalled. Pastor Gerry assured him that Jesus offers the forgiveness he sought. “If you confess your sin, the Bible tells us that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” Gerry said. The young soldier’s face lit up with joy as he realized the weight of guilt he had carried for so long had been lifted.
Later, another couple approached the food truck. When Peggy asked if they had lost their home, the woman responded, “No, we didn’t lose our house! Praise the Lord! Our whole street was saved—everything around us is burned, but our block is intact. We’re all Christians here.” The relief and joy on their faces were evident, and Peggy rejoiced at seeing God's protection over them.
The outpouring of support from Calvary Chapel churches across Southern California has been nothing short of incredible. Gerry and his team have been joined by numerous volunteers, delivering not only food and water but the love of Christ.
“We don’t serve anyone without praying for them first,” Gerry said. “Whether they’re firefighters, law enforcement officers, or residents, we gather around them and pray. It's a small way to remind them that they’re not alone, and that God's love is with them in the midst of all this hardship.”
Gerry concluded, “In the face of tragedy, the community has shown an incredible spirit of heroism, faith, and love. From the first responders to the everyday heroes who stayed behind to protect their homes, these moments of courage and compassion serve as a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, hope can still prevail in the love of Jesus Christ.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
For more information contact U-turn for Christ at 951-943-7097
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