Local Church Leaders Mobilize for Los Angeles Wildfire Victims

Bishop Joel Peebles of Global United Fellowship, headquartered in Landover, Maryland, recently got an up-close view of the devastation from the Los Angeles fires after he and other faith leaders converged on California, raising more than $150,000 for those affected by the blazes.

Peebles took part in a telethon in Los Angeles, in the wake of the massive fires that spread across several communities, destroying homes, schools and churches.

“We knew that there was a big need, but now we are funneling resources through  10 different churches,” Peebles, presiding bishop of the Global United Fellowship, told The Informer. “In terms of needs, people need food, shelter and community needs.”

The telethon was held Feb. 28 at the Cathedral of Praise International Ministries (COPIM) in San Bernardino, California, which is led by Bishop Cortez Vaughn, a national recording artist, who said that many of his 1500 members lost everything.

“The word I would use is devastating,” Vaughn said. “Many families, including those from our church, had everything one day and then lost everything in a matter of moments.”

Vaughn emphasized the pain caused when “you literally have to watch your house burn down.”

“One of my members was 82 and all that she could do was stand on the sidewalk and watch her home burn down,” Vaughn told The Informer. “We have people who literally have only the clothes on their backs and that is a nightmare.”

Bringing ‘Hope Back Into the Community’ 

Normally, Vaughn keeps a heavy performance schedule, but since the fires he has been in Los Angeles most of the time.  

“The fires have brought many churches together and this has brought hope back into the community,” he said.

Peebles told The Informer Global United Fellowship could not stand by and just watch the painful plight of those affected by the wildfires.

”Through monetary donations, providing goods and services and much prayer, Global will continue to help in the rebuilding efforts of this vibrant community,” he said.

During the telethon, Global United Fellowship presented a check to COPIM Relief Fund for more than $123,000; however, the numbers are still growing, according to Peebles, exceeding more than 150,000 as of March 3.  

The Cathedral of Praise telethon, which was aired live on the Word Network to raise money and provide support to devastated Los Angeles communities, will run again on Friday, March 7 at 1:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. EST.

Bishop Neal Ellis, founding bishop of Global United Fellowship and the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, executive secretary of the organization, both flew out to take part in the telethon.

Bishop Neil Ellis, founding Bishop of Global United Fellowship, hosted the “Night of Hope,” which was also broadcasted internationally on the Word Network. 

“Bishop Peebles, Bishop Ellis and all of our leaders have really helped us,” Vaughn said. “One thing that something like this does is that it pushes people into another level of faith.”