
Longtime California Baptist leader Fermín Whittaker dies at 83
Fermín A. Whittaker, the longest-tenured executive director of California Southern Baptist Convention, died Friday, Feb. 7.
Fermín A. Whittaker, the longest-tenured executive director of California Southern Baptist Convention, died Friday, Feb. 7.
“We are thankful for our SBC family of churches and leaders who have responded to the needs that have arisen from the Los Angeles fires,” said CSBC executive director Pete Ramirez.
As wildfires in California continue to threaten lives and homes, personal property recovery efforts are expected to begin in the coming weeks after fires are contained, Disaster Relief leaders report.
“As you pray for the victims of the fires in Los Angeles, I would suggest that rather than a generic ‘pray for LA,’ you get specific,” writes Phil Cooke. “The Bible encourages us to be specific in our prayers.”
“Recovery time will come, and Texans on Mission will continue to work with churches in how best to be of support,” John Hall said.
“This could not be more perfect timing for you to bring a group here,” said a weary Los Angeles pastor. “We pray the fire will be out a month from now, but there’s going to be a lot of work. We need a lot of partners to come.”
In fall 2025, Gateway Seminary’s regional campus in Fremont, California, will relocate to the Bridges Bay Area Association facility in San Leandro, California.
California Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains have been deployed as wildfires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area, where the death toll has risen to
As the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area of California rage on, state Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have begun preparations to help with recovery efforts amid the crisis.
As wildfires threaten lives and thousands of structures near Los Angeles, Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers in California remain on standby, according to Coy Webb, crisis response director for Send Relief.