• News & Updates
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Rock Relief Center Opens
• Message from Pastor Miles
• Advice to Those Serving
• Helpful Links
• Contact Information

Relief Effort Photos

(view as slideshow)

News & Updates

Tell Us Your Story!

We want to hear how you have been affected by the fires. Do you have a testimony or some other story to tell? Do you have some pictures or video to share with us?

Click here and let us know.

(Have a video? We'd love to see it. Upload it to YouTube. Tag it with "rock_relief")

Donations Needed this Sunday

Join us Sunday for a special service to help begin rebuilding San Diego.

Large tractor trailers will be parked outside the church. We would like donations of bedding, water, food (non-perishable), underwear, baby formula, and diapers. For health reasons, we can only accept new unused items.

These donations will be a huge blessing to the families and individuals who have lost their homes in the wildfires.

Volunteers Needed Friday at Ruffin Road

Volunteers needed immediately at 3558 Ruffin Road, Rock campus.

We are currently moving donated supplies to our Ruffin Road campus and need help unloading the semi-trucks.

Click here for Google directions.

More Donations Needed

Please deliver donations to 3558 Ruffin Road in Serra Mesa. The Ruffin Road donation center will be open from 8 AM - 8 PM today and tomorrow (Friday).

This is the list of items needed, in order of priority (please bring to the Ruffin Road location unless otherwise noted)...

1. diapers, paper plates, hot dogs, hygiene products, clothing (men's, women's, & children's), baby formula, cots, air mattresses, new pillows, blankets, boxed food (snacks, cookies), water, lunch food, cereal, baby food, gas cards/gift cards, chapstick, hair style products, (for African Americans), conditioner (not shampoo), hair accessories, men’s shaving cream and deodorant
2. sleeping bags, towels, toothpaste/tooth brushes, ensure, tylenol, shoes
3. underwear, bras, flip flops, bread, perishable foods (bring to the Rock Church in Point Loma)

Warehouse Space Needed

Nearly 2000 homes have been destroyed in the San Diego wildfires. Now we must work to rebuild the lives of our neighbors - the families and individuals who have lost their homes.

We need large warehouse space to accommodate the necessary ongoing donations and supplies that we are receiving. Please let us know if you have space available.

Click here if you or someone you know can help.

City Officials visit the Rock Church Relief Center

On Thursday afternoon, Councilman Kevin Faulconer and Former San Diego City Attorney, Casey Gwinn, visited the Rock Church Relief Center.

Both men expressed awe and gratitude regarding the efforts and organization of all the volunteers.

200 Volunteers Needed this Friday!

We are in the process of transporting all donations to our Ruffin Road warehouse location. From here, they will be distributed directly to trusted relief agencies.

On Friday, from 9 AM - 8 PM, we wil be partnering with the US NAVY to move the donations. We need volunteers to help load and unload. If you can help for any amount of time please come to the Rock Church and check-in at the volunteer station in the lobby.

The Rock Church is Still Accepting Donations

We have no specific donation needs at this time BUT we will accept brand new items and perishable foods (ie. fruit). No prepared foods please.

All donations can be dropped off at the Rock Church in Point Loma or 3558 Ruffin Road (from 8AM - 8PM).

Update on Relief Efforts

Praise God. With the help of dozens of volunteers, and the leadership of a solid team of amazing volunteer coordinators, the Rock Church reached out to over 5,000 people in San Diego County on Wednesday, October 24.

Some of the people reached out to have been isolated from any support at all, but with the coordination of logistics, the Red Cross, the police organizations, as well as donated vehicles, supplies, bodies, and even helicopters, the Christian community has been using the Rock Church as a focal point to reach areas on the far side of numerous police roadblocks.

The effort continues, we sent out a convoy of eleven trucks to Mountain View Community Church in Ramona already this morning, and the orders are still rolling.

A little breakdown of some of the individual items from orders - 1,000 Hot Dogs & Buns, 300 packs of Lunch Meat, 500 T-Shirts, 500 Shorts, Air Mattresses, Cots, Cases and Cases of Water, and the list goes on.

The Rock Is An Official Red Cross Shelter

For more information about how the Red Cross is aiding in the relief efforts, click here.

The Rock Church Continues To Accept Donations

Overwhelming response from the community and over 900 Rock volunteers enabled the establishment of the Rock as a major fire relief supply distribution point. The Rock is now delivering supplies to other relief centers.

The Rock main sanctuary (2277 Rosecrans) is in need of the following items...

• Women's Bras and underwear
• Men's boxers and underwear
• Kids (any age) underwear
• Men's, Women's, Kids Socks

ALL other donations should be taken to the Rock Ruffin Campus at 3554 Ruffin Road.

Rock Church Evacuation and Distribution Center Continues to Take on Evacuees

Due to the concern of poor air quality conditions leading to respiratory problems, 122 elderly individuals and 77 medical staff have been transferred from San Diego High School in downtown San Diego, to safe and secure accommodations at the Rock Church.

Statistics Update

The Rock Church Evacuation and Distibution Center has received almost 1600 volunteers, 1500+ cases of water, abundant food supplies, and more.

View the statistics

Free Wi-Fi Now Available to All Evacuees

The Rock Church now provides free wireless internet access at the Evacuation and Relief Suppply Center.

Rock Church Evacuation Center Expands Into Relief Supply Center

Overwhelming response from community and over 900 Rock volunteers enables estalishment of the Rock as a major relief supply distribution point.

In addition to providing safe and secure housing for evacuees, the Rock is also delivering supplies to other relief centers. Please contact firerelief@therocksandiego.org if you need relief assistance.

The Rock Listed As Official Evacuation Site

Rock Church recognized as official evacuation site registered with OES (Office of Emergency Services). Also listed with reverse 911 and 211 call centers.

Services Offered For Evacuees at the Rock

In addition to safe and secure accomodations in our facility, the Rock is offering all evacuees...

• basic health care services (thanks to Naval Medical Center professionals)
• childcare and all-ages entertainment and activity options for children during the daytime and early evening
• hot showers (down the street, through the generosity of The Boxing Club)

Recap of Today's Events So Far

The Rock family is encouraged to continue to support the relief efforts. So far...

• over 800 volunters have been mobilized
• abundant supplies have been given
• safe and secure accomodations have been provided
• over 50 people have opened their homes to evacuees
• large amounts of food have been donated by local businesses

Watch video | View photos

Dining Available in the Cafeteria

Thanks to many local businesses, free meals for all evacuees wil be served at 8 AM, 12 Noon, & 6 PM. Coffee (donated by Starbucks) will be served in the morning at 6:30 AM.

TV Now Available For Evacuees

HDTV has been donated and installed by Cox Cable in our cafeteria.

Volunteers Needed

People wishing to volunteer are requested to come to the sanctuary lobby. Volunteers should check in downstairs at the check-in station. From there, you will be given an assignment either on or offsite.

Our Doors Are Open!

The Rock Church has opened its doors to accept evacuees and donations for the San Diego wildfires. More information to be posted shortly.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please continue to check back for more opportunities to get involved with the relief efforts.

We will continue to post them as they become available.

1. Volunteer at the Rock Church

200 volunteers are needed on Friday, October 26, 2007 all day to help load and unload donations. If you can help (for any amount of time) please check-in at the Rock Church lobby. The Rock Church is located in Point Loma, 2277 Rosecrans St.

2. Volunteer your Home

After the fires, many individuals and families will be homeless, some for many months.

If you have room in your home to temporarily shelter someone, please click here to be added to the private list. We will contact you if your home is needed.

Rock Relief Center Opens

Due to raging wildfires burning throughout San Diego county, at 10 AM on Tuesday morning, the Rock Church opened its doors as a shelter and relief efforts center.

We can use as many volunteers as possible to come to the sanctuary to help with hospitability, food distribution, encouragement and overall help where needed.

If possible, please contact those serving in your ministry and anyone else you know that can lend a hand.

In order to do this effectively and safely, we need trusted and faithful volunteers.

If you are able, we could use your help today.

No need to reply, just come to the sanctuary.

If you would like to donate supplies, we can use cots, sleeping bags, water and food. Especially any sleeping equipment, since we will house the fire victims overnight.

Message from Pastor Miles

Dear Rock Family,

As parts of San Diego County are being evacuated due to the fires, the Rock is mobilizing in partnership with Horizon Christian Fellowship (www.horizonsd.org) to help our neighbors.

Currently, we are looking into ways we can assist the evacuation sites, check back regularly for more information.

Right now, these are the ways you can help and other information:

1. Drop-Off Food & Supplies that will be given to those who have found shelter at evacuation sites. Click here to see list of items.

Drop Off locations include: Lobby of the Rock Church, 2277 Rosecrans Street, 91206 from 7 AM - 9 PM Horizon Christian Fellowship, 5331 Mt. Alifan Dr., 92111

2. Pray as a community, wherever you may be, tonight from 7-9 PM for our entire region during this time.

In respect to the Mayor's request to keep the roadways open, all Rock Church activities and Rock University classes at the Point Loma Campus are canceled through Friday (10.26) unless otherwise notified. Rock Academy is closed Tuesday (10.23). Parents please check www.therockacademy.org for updates.

As we receive additional information we will keep you posted and continue to visit www.therocksandiego.org for updates.

For those of you affected by the fires, you are in our prayers. For the rest of us, let us take this opportunity to minister to and serve our neighbors.

In His Service,
Pastor Miles and the Rock Church staff

Advice to Those Serving

When responding to one of the shelters in this emergency remember this is not a church event, we are part of the county response team.

• Leave bibles in car and provide one only when asked.
• You are there to encourage people and serve
• Be watchful for opportunities to help in any way that is needed.
• Share your testimony when appropriate

Don't Say…

• "I know how you feel" because you don't.
• "It is God's will that this happened" because it is not that simple.
• "Be happy for what you had" because crisis requires grieving

Do Say…

• "You have my heartfelt sympathy"
• "My heart goes out to you"
• "Friends are here share your grief"
• "No words can express my sincere sorrow"
• "I cannot imagine the pain you are in at this time"
• "My prayers are with you at this time"
• "I feel for you in your loss"
• "I feel privileged to serve you at this time"
• "Please accept my sincere sympathy"
• "You have the focus of our loving prayers at this time"
• "What can I do to help you at this time"
• "I am here to help you in any way I can"

Seven things to remember:

• Practice active listening
• Give honest and brief answers making time for listening verse talking.
• Acknowledge and validate their feelings.
• Do not preach or give sermons.
• You are there to help them through the pain and not avoid the pain.
• Everyone must grieve and everyone does not grieve the same.
• Trust that God's is living and active and will speak to their heart.

Encouraging Biblical Truths

God has not and will not abandon you in you time of need.

Heb 13:5-6 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

God has, through His power, gotten you through hard times in the past.

James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

God wants you to call on Him, so He can comfort you. Jeremiah 33:3,

Jer 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

God is the God of comfort you need.

2 Cor 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

God has not and will not abandon you in you time of need.

Heb 13:5-6 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

God has, through His power, gotten you through hard times in the past.

James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Helpful Links

• SignOnSanDiego.com
• San Diego County Emergency Homepage
• 10 News San Diego
• KUSI News
• CBS 8 San Diego
• NBC 7 San Diego
• San Diego Red Cross
• Breaking news blog

 

Contact Information

We are encouraging everyone who needs help (or wants to volunteer) to come to our sanctuary in Point Loma.

Rock Church
2277 Rosecrans St.
San Diego, CA 91206
Google Map/Directions

We have teams of volunteers ready and able to serve. Currently, we are readily providing food and accomodations to anyone who has been evacuated.

For more information, call our office at (619) 226-7625 or email firerelief@therocksandiego.org.