From Evacuation to Encouragement: Serving Garden Grove
When evacuation orders were issued following the recent chemical incident near Garden Grove, families across the area faced uncertainty, fear, and disruption. For many, it meant quickly leaving their homes without knowing when they would return.
Located near the evacuation zone, Pastor Collin Finley and his church, Westminster Christian Assembly immediately began asking a simple question: How can we help?
The church opened its doors throughout the weekend, creating a place where families could find rest, prayer, and relief. Parents with young children were able to step away from the uncertainty for a few hours, recharge, and connect with others navigating the same situation. Despite the disruption surrounding them, the church still gathered for Sunday worship. During the service, members prayed for their community and for the families who had been displaced. In what many described as a timely answer to prayer, news broke during the service that the immediate risk of explosion had significantly decreased.
But for Pastor Collin and the church, ministry did not end when the evacuation orders were lifted.
Located near the evacuation zone, Pastor Collin Finley and his church, Westminster Christian Assembly immediately began asking a simple question: How can we help?
The church opened its doors throughout the weekend, creating a place where families could find rest, prayer, and relief. Parents with young children were able to step away from the uncertainty for a few hours, recharge, and connect with others navigating the same situation. Despite the disruption surrounding them, the church still gathered for Sunday worship. During the service, members prayed for their community and for the families who had been displaced. In what many described as a timely answer to prayer, news broke during the service that the immediate risk of explosion had significantly decreased.
But for Pastor Collin and the church, ministry did not end when the evacuation orders were lifted.
In the days that followed, Westminster Christian Assembly began receiving referrals from local school districts, city officials, community resource centers, and social media. As needs surfaced, church members mobilized.
Volunteers delivered food, hygiene supplies, gift cards, and practical assistance to affected families. Some families had already returned home. Others were still struggling to recover from the disruption and challenges the incident had created. As church members visited homes, shelters, and temporary housing throughout the week, they encountered more than immediate physical needs.
"The stories were so tough," Collin shared. "So much brokenness in our city."
What began as a response to a local emergency quickly became an opportunity for deeper ministry. Through conversations, prayer, and practical support, church members found themselves connecting with neighbors they may have never otherwise met.
On Wednesday evening alone, the church was able to pray with more than 50 people impacted by the evacuation and distribute over 50 Bibles. Among those they met was a woman who had spent the previous week displaced in a motel with her two pre-teen children. Through conversations and prayer, Pastor Collin and church members had the opportunity to share the Gospel, and she made the decision to place her faith in Christ alongside her children.
Volunteers delivered food, hygiene supplies, gift cards, and practical assistance to affected families. Some families had already returned home. Others were still struggling to recover from the disruption and challenges the incident had created. As church members visited homes, shelters, and temporary housing throughout the week, they encountered more than immediate physical needs.
"The stories were so tough," Collin shared. "So much brokenness in our city."
What began as a response to a local emergency quickly became an opportunity for deeper ministry. Through conversations, prayer, and practical support, church members found themselves connecting with neighbors they may have never otherwise met.
On Wednesday evening alone, the church was able to pray with more than 50 people impacted by the evacuation and distribute over 50 Bibles. Among those they met was a woman who had spent the previous week displaced in a motel with her two pre-teen children. Through conversations and prayer, Pastor Collin and church members had the opportunity to share the Gospel, and she made the decision to place her faith in Christ alongside her children.
For Collin, moments like these are a reminder that while crises often reveal the needs around us, they can also create opportunities for the Church to bring hope, compassion, and the message of Jesus to people who may never have walked through a church's doors otherwise. Rather than becoming discouraged by the needs they encountered, the congregation found renewed purpose.
"Our church is so energized from going out," Collin shared. Moments like these remind us that the Church is far more than a building. It is a community of people willing to step into difficult situations and serve their neighbors with compassion, generosity, and hope.
As Westminster Christian Assembly continues connecting with families impacted by the incident, they are trusting God to use this challenging moment to build relationships, meet needs, and share the love of Christ throughout their city.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the way Westminster Christian Assembly responded with compassion and courage during a difficult week for their community. We pray for every family affected by the evacuation orders and ongoing recovery efforts. Bring peace to those who experienced fear, provide for those facing hardship, and surround them with caring neighbors and community support.
We also pray for Pastor Collin and his church as they continue serving families throughout Garden Grove and Westminster. Strengthen their volunteers, deepen the relationships being formed, and use these acts of service to reveal Your love to those who need hope. May this season continue to open doors for ministry and remind people that they are not alone. Amen.
"Our church is so energized from going out," Collin shared. Moments like these remind us that the Church is far more than a building. It is a community of people willing to step into difficult situations and serve their neighbors with compassion, generosity, and hope.
As Westminster Christian Assembly continues connecting with families impacted by the incident, they are trusting God to use this challenging moment to build relationships, meet needs, and share the love of Christ throughout their city.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the way Westminster Christian Assembly responded with compassion and courage during a difficult week for their community. We pray for every family affected by the evacuation orders and ongoing recovery efforts. Bring peace to those who experienced fear, provide for those facing hardship, and surround them with caring neighbors and community support.
We also pray for Pastor Collin and his church as they continue serving families throughout Garden Grove and Westminster. Strengthen their volunteers, deepen the relationships being formed, and use these acts of service to reveal Your love to those who need hope. May this season continue to open doors for ministry and remind people that they are not alone. Amen.
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