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