Sunday is the one week anniversary of the Oak Hill wildfire that burned more than 100 acres and destroyed homes. While the wildfire danger remains high, families are starting to assess the damage and figure out how to slowly rebuild what was lost.
During Easter service Sunday morning, Oak Hill churches also reflected on the fire damage to nearby neighborhoods and the devastation families are now facing.
On Sunday April 17, Southwest Hills Community Church turned its sanctuary into a place of refuge. Dozens of families used the church as a temporary shelter while fire crews fought to save homes. One week later, the church is again a place of worship.
On Easter Sunday, Southwest Hills Community Church leaders shared how the congregation can help. The church is working with the Austin Disaster Relief Network. The group is made up of non-profits and churches who help families when they need it the most. For example, ADRN helped more than 80 families affected by Tropical Storm Hermine.
“We're here to care for them not just today but tomorrow, and the next day and weeks and months to come. It’s a way to let them know about the truth of the hope we celebrate today,” Southwest Hills Children’s Director Jennifer Appleton said.
Just down the road from Southwest Hills Community Church, another congregation is partnering with the Austin Disaster Relief Network. Southwest Family Fellowship is working with ADRN to assist victims of the fire. One family who attended SWFF lost everything to flames last Sunday.
“We want to be there spiritually for them to know there is hope, but also tangibly to provide folks with whatever they are needing and lacking in this tragedy,” Southwest Family Fellowship Pastor Anthony Scoma said.
Wildfires continue to be a threat throughout Texas. The Texas Forest Service reports that 1.4 million acres have burned since the first of the year.
The city of Austin has now banned smoking and burning in all city parks and greenbelts.
