Trenton Mueller, pastor of The Abiding Church, a young church plant in Los Angeles, joined “Around the Table” hosts Tanner Cade, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board director of communication services, and Jon Martin, MBCB chief strategy officer, and MBCB missions mobilization director, Chad McCord, to reflect on the disastrous wildfires that have obliterated thousands of homes and businesses, displaced ordinary Americans, and left entire communities unlivable.
During the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention in Indiana last summer, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board missions mobilization director Chad McCord made a connection with Trenton Mueller, pastor of The Abiding Church in Los Angeles, through a mutual colleague.
‘Perfect’ timing
Mueller asked McCord about his position at the MBCB, to which McCord shared about the missions mobilization department’s purpose to equip local Mississippi churches for mission opportunities around the world and to invest in lasting relationships with cross-cultural missionaries, ministries and church plants bringing the gospel to their communities. Mueller was eager to have a group of Mississippi Baptists join The Abiding Church in their outreach, so a Vision Journey to Los Angeles was planned for February 2025.
On Jan. 7, however, wildfires started to rapidly spread around Los Angeles.
McCord made a call to Mueller, expecting plans to be cancelled. “This could not be more perfect timing for you to bring a group here,” a weary Mueller responded. “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.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lindsey Williams and originally published by the Baptist Record.
