Volunteers Help Rebuild Hope in Butte County

CNH District
Aug 3
3 min read

Updated: Aug 25

The Park Fire that tore through Butte and Tehama counties began July 24, 2024. When the flames were finally contained nearly two months later, more than 429,600 acres had burned, making it the fourth largest wildfire in California’s history.

The fire destroyed over 200 homes, with many clustered in the tight-knit community of Cohasset. But for those who lost everything, the devastation didn’t stop at the ash line. With no Individual Assistance (IA) — the damage didn’t meet FEMA’s threshold — survivors were left to rebuild without government aid. Many, living paycheck to paycheck and without fire insurance, had no safety net.

What Was Lost

One such survivor, whose story is shown in the accompanying photos, not only lost his home — he also lost his livelihood. His small firewood business, which helped provide for his family, was brought to a halt when his log splitter was destroyed.

With help from a small fundraiser, he was able to purchase a new machine. But rebuilding a home, and a life, takes far more than tools.

Faith on the Ground

That’s where servant events like this one come in — bringing not just hammers and saws, but hope.

“Each work day begins with a time of prayer where the property owner joins with the volunteers in asking God to keep the crew safe, bless the accomplishments to be made that day, bless the property owner, and thanking God for the greatest hope of all, what He has provided through our LORD, Jesus Christ,” said Pastor Phil Zabell, District Disaster Response Coordinator for the CNH District. “In this case the property owner now has a more substantial roof over their head so they can address the other aspects of their disaster recovery.

From Ashes to Shelter

Volunteers constructed three key modules:

A pump house
A combined sleeping/kitchen/bath unit built on a trailer frame
A living room space

By the end of the servant week, the structures had basic walls, roofs, electrical, and plumbing in place. Some finishing materials, including roofing and siding, remained and are being completed by other volunteer teams arranged by the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).

A Collaborative Effort

This project brought together a wide and willing team:

A five-person LERT team from St. John's Bakersfield
Nearly 30 youth and adults from NALC congregations

On their way north, the Bakersfield team picked up a donated small RV trailer in Merced. It served as their lodging for the week, and on their return trip, they delivered the RV to a woman and her three children in Corning who had lost their home in a separate house fire.

Meanwhile, the NALC group stayed overnight at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chico, where the congregation generously provided morning and evening meals in their fellowship hall.

“We don’t know who we touch, but as it turned out, we were zeroing in on these trailers, and all of a sudden we dumped this trailer off to this woman, and it’s the biggest life-changing events she’s ever experienced. It’s, like, okay, okay, I’ve gotcha.”

“These are His missions, not our missions,” says one LERT participant.

Hope Rebuilt, One Nail at a Time

Events like this remind us that disaster recovery is not just about rebuilding structures — it’s about restoring dignity, faith, and hope.

Volunteers left behind more than buildings. They left behind a community reminded that it is not alone — that even in loss, God's provision and people remain present.

The trip was made possible by a generous grant from LCMS national disaster response. The group also utilized a LERT trailer that has been passed on from a congregation in the Pacific Southwest District. We thank God for the hands and hearts of all who served, and for the opportunity to offer not just housing — but hope.

The following is a brief recap video from St. John's Bakersfield: