RBBC e-update for Saturday, November 3, 2007

Dear Friends and Church Family,

I drove within a 6 block radius of our church property. I counted 94 homes that have burned to the ground from the fire. Some have begun removing the debris with heavy equipment. There are multiple volunteers sifting through debris at home sites and laying "snakes" of straw on hills to prevent soil erosion. We've spent two Saturdays removing burned out brush and cutting down burned trees.

All of the contents in our main building have been removed, inventoried and evaluated for fire damage. Our worship center is now being gutted by a demolition team of 12 men. They will be working for at least a week to tear out sheet rock, plywood, rugs and fire damaged material. The entire interior of our building will be removed to the studs to facilitate drying and eliminate mold. This is a necessary process that must take place before reconstruction can take place.

It's funny. For the first time I've seen our church as a fire victim. We can't accept help from FEMA or other governmental agencies because we're a church. But even better we are part of a marvelous community of faith. We've received dozens of calls from churches and individuals around the country. They have pledged their support, prayers and financial support to help us through this transitional time. We're humbled and encouraged that we don't have to go through this alone. God is leading us and our brothers and sisters in Christ are behind us!

OUT OF THE ASHES COMES HOPE, BEAUTY AND GOD'S BLESSING!

When I have felt overwhelmed, I have found spiritual strength from Psalm 32:8:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Walking through the Fire with you,
Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor

RBBC e-update for Thursday, November 1, 2007

Dear Friends and Church Family,

It's been a week since we evacuated and then were allowed back into the Westwood area of Rancho Bernardo after the Witch Creek Fire came roaring through it on October 22nd. Over 400 homes have been destroyed in the Rancho Bernardo and Poway area.

Our church staff attended a gathering of North County Churches to explore ways that we can better coordinate our relief efforts. Here are things that leaders are learning:
· Treat burned down houses of people with respect and sensitivity; just a week ago it contained their most personal possessions and was their home.
· People struggle to identify their needs when asked; it's overwhelming to tell well-meaning people how they can help.
· People need advocates or sponsors who will track with one family during the full 2-3 year recovery period; To have someone who will help them discover needs and connect them with those who can help is huge!
· Each day of response is equal to 30 days of recovery; the recovery time is always longer than the response times needed to meet people's immediate needs.
· Families who have lost their homes can benefit greatly from a small group, an adult Sunday School class or a bible study group who will adopt them to meet their needs; it takes more than a one individual to meet the needs of a family who has experienced significant financial, emotional or physical loss due to a fire.
· Politely tell people that you don't need all their good ideas; it is impossible to implement all the good ideas that people will suggest on how to help fire victims.
· During the 2-3 year recovery period, keep a pulse on the community's needs; their needs will be very fluid and constantly changing.

Thanks again to every church and everyone who have expressed their concern and support for our church! We have truly valued every email, card, and phone call extending your love to us in the name of Christ! We are accepting financial support for both fire victims in our area and our church facility damaged by the fire. Our best estimates indicate that it will take a year before restoration of our worship center will be completed.

When I think about all that we've been through and all our needs in Southern California, the words of Psalm 68:19 has great meaning to me: "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior who daily bears our burdens."

News:
(1) Our Harvest Festival last night was a great success! 425 families and kids joined a 100 volunteers from our church to enjoy games, food, candy and a great time together. We loved providing neighbors in Rancho Bernardo a time to laugh and enjoy life after a week of stress and tragedy dealing with the fire.
Walking through the Fire with you,
Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor

RBBC e-update for Monday, October 29, 2007

Dear Friends and Church Family,

On Saturday evening we breathed a sigh of relief! We were ready! God had helped us complete the two day cleaning efforts of our temporary worship facility. Over a hundred volunteers worked tirelessly distributing bottled water, cleaning supplies and boxed meals into the neighborhood. They also rearranged chairs, power-washed patio areas, cleared fire-blackened scrubs, cleaned restrooms, threw out clutter and assisted the ServePro crews.

I was up again at 3 AM to let the CNN camera crew into our fire-damaged auditorium on our upper campus. They were conducting live filming and interviews for their “Faces of Faith” Sunday program airing on the East Coast. I did my interview at 4:50 AM before Tim Nellis, our Student Ministries Pastor, did one with his youth who had helped with our relief efforts in Rancho Bernardo.

Our 9:00 and 10:30 AM Sunday services were great! It was a little intimidating for us having it taped by CNN, CBS radio and ABC news. But God helped us to relax and be ourselves in spite of all the media attention. There were lots of live and taped interviews by CNN and other network affiliates throughout the day. We weren’t pros but it got easier after a while. Our volunteers did a great job providing lunch at 11:30 AM for guests and everyone who came! Our Adult Gathering leaders reported great times of sharing stories and praying together.

Our schedule is full this week dealing with more clean-up, the Harvest Festival, relief work and meetings with area churches coordinating aid. We're rookies at all this but we’re trying to think ahead on how to serve and love the community of Rancho Bernardo. We feel honored that God would choose us to represent Him at this unique time!

Thanks for partnering with us in these ministries through your prayers and support! We have read and treasured every email and phone call that we have received! Thank you for extending your love and support to us at RBBC! We know we couldn’t do this without you and our partnership together for the cause of Christ!

I was encouraged by this verse. I wondered how many of us have experienced this truth in southern California: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” - Psalm 50:15

Walking through the Fire with you,

Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church

RBBC e-update for Saturday, October 27, 2007

Dear Friends and Church Family,

I tried to get up early to answer emails and take phone calls. When I arrived at church, our relief center was already in full-swing with an assortment of supplies: bottled water, cleaning supplies, packaged snacks, a photocopy machine, Starbucks coffee and more! I was proud of our church wanting to do whatever it takes to serve the Westwood area of Rancho Bernardo.


One person heard about what we were doing and gave $100 to buy lunch for all our volunteers. We directed many to the FEMA center down at the park a mile away. One family that had no insurance left their kids for our volunteers to watch while they cleaned their home. I counted over 28 homes within a three block radius that had burned to the ground with only their chimneys standing. Other volunteers worked hard to power-wash our tile roof, remove unwanted clutter and getting our chairs ready for ServePro to clean.

I was tired today. I think the week is taking its toll. I’m so grateful that I’m part of our church family! They give from their hearts to serve the fire victims of our area. When I read this verse, I could almost feel God’s arms lifting us up: “Do no fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10.

Bill Griffin was on Fox News last night giving a report on the homes lost in his neighborhood and the impact of the fire on our church. Our facilities manager did a great job in the 5 minute piece.

Walking through the Fire with you,
Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor

RBBC e-update for Friday, October 26, 2007

A Message from Pastor Dan Maxton

Dear Friends and Church Family,

I woke up this morning to the sound of helicopters flying over Rancho Bernardo. The smell of smoke was still in the air but the sun was shinning yellow now, not orange. The evacuation of the Westwood area was lifted at 12:35 PM allowing us to return to our church facility. Within minutes, we had put our makeshift banner over our church sign reading, "Free water, snacks, photocopying." We're putting together a relief station. I did two newspaper interviews over the phone and Tim Nellis, our student ministries pastor, delivered a great TV interview with CBN. Look for him on the 700 club!

I met and thanked the four firemen who saved our church facility from the fire: William Chamberlain, Robert Garcia, Robert Macy and Jorge Ybarra. I shook their hands and called them my heroes. We owe a lot to them and all our policemen and firemen who are saving our homes and communities.

I read this verse and smiled, "Because he loves me," says the Lord. "I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." - Psalm 92:14.

Most everyone has now returned to their homes. The generosity of people in our community is great. Please contact us if we can help you!

Walking through the Fire with you,

Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church

Fire Update

From Tim Nellis - Student Ministries Pastor

Sorry it took so long for this post to get up, free wifi has been hard to come by the last few days.

Dan and I were able to play the 'pastor card' to get onto our church campus with our insurance adjusters.
It was really erie driving into this silent neighborhood where complete devistation had just taken place. Very different from driving down to San Diego the first time after the fires started. When I drove down on Tuesday I felt overwhelmed with this impending sense of doom. With the black clouds billowing, it was kind of like I was entering the land of Mordor with Frodo and Sam.
But when I drove through this neighborhood, it was just sad, not scarry, just sad.
Walking into the sanctuary of our church was crazy. So much of it was standing and there, and then I saw the stage:


I just taught on this stage 2 weeks ago and now it's gone.
But there is good news! All of our offices were untouched, all papers, books, and computers were dry and undamaged! Oh yea, except mine. My office got got jacked up. I have a skylight above my desk, a complete set of shakespears works (from the mid 1800's)- special waterlogged edition, and a slightly messier than normal desk:



We walked around the church and saw that God had incredible grace and mercy on this place. There were multiple places where the fire burned all the way up to the building and just stopped.






I think this is the first time where I personally feel an incredible debt of gratitude to our police men and fire fighters. They are aaamazing! 9/11 was too far removed for me to really feal the impact of it, but after this experience, I seriously want to seek out these men and woman to thank them.

I really don't know what else to say at this point, there's too much going on.
RBBC is setting up a crisis center for our neighborhood (the neighborhood should re-open today). If you want to help you can go to our Web sight rbbaptist.org and give your donations to the place you feel lead.

The way the church is coming together in this time of crisis is awesome. I was so proud to be part of our team last night. A table full of people (some whose house had burned down) coming up with incedible ideas about how to serve others. It was christians being christian. It was beautiful...

I can't write any more right now, but I will as soon as possible.
Despite what it looks like and how it feels, God is here.

RBBC e-update for Thursday, October 25, 2007

A Message from Pastor Dan Maxton

Dear Immediate and Extended Church Family of RBBC,

I drove down the I-15 from Temecula on Wednesday into an ominous blanket of smoke. The sun appeared as a bright orange ball. The landscaped was blackened on either side of the highway showing the destruction of what is being called the largest wildfire in San Diego. When I passed Rancho Bernardo, I glanced over the blackened hole in our roof from the fire on Monday.

I claimed this promise for our church and community: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

We continue to receive reports that people have found shelter and are beginning to return to their homes. You all are in our prayers as we make plans to serve our communities, prepare for Sunday worship and move into the future. Many RBBC-ers are offering their homes for anyone who needs a place to stay. Please contact us if we can help you!

Regular online updates will continue to be sent to keep you informed. Please log onto our web site at www.rbbaptist.org for additional information. Please forward or download these messages to those who are interested.

Walking through the Fire with you,
Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church

RBBC e-update for Tuesday, October 23

A Message from Pastor Dan Maxton:

Dear Immediate and Extended Church Family of RBBC,

The 60 mph Santa Ana winds had been howling all night! I was awakened by the phone ringing at 4:30 AM on Monday, "Get ready to evacuate! The fire is coming!" Sharon was in Argentina so I was alone. I scrambled to grab important documents, family pictures and a change of clothes. I crossed the bridge over I-15 to see if the church facility was alright only to be turned back by a shower of sparks that swept across the road. I felt a little panicked as I joined the long line of cars heading south on I-15 out of Rancho Bernardo. I've heard similar stories of escape. I thought of these words of comfort, "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel your Savior" - Isaiah 43:2b-3 (NIV)

Our hearts are filled with love and concern for each of you! We are praying for you and our communities in southern California during these fire storms. We have many RBBC-ers who are eager and willing to help if you need support of any kind!

Regular online updates: We will try to keep you updated about our church family and community through email and on our website at www.rbbaptist.org. Please forward or download these messages to those who are wanting to stay connected.

Walking through the Fire with you,
Dan Maxton, Lead Pastor
Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church