Tomorrow (Aug. 8), we mark the second anniversary of the devastating Maui fires that forever changed the landscape of Lahaina and surrounding communities, displacing thousands of families with fewer than 50 homes rebuilt from the nearly 2,000 destroyed. In the midst of this ongoing struggle, what began as an unthinkable tragedy became the backdrop for an extraordinary ministry of hope and healing.

Building on the foundation laid by Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief in the first months after the fires, the Maui Fire Caring Ministry, led by Pete and Donna Beal, took the extraordinary step of contacting 748 fire survivors over 14 months. This systematic follow-up ministry communicated the love of Christ, shared the gospel message, distributed Bibles and provided practical assistance while building lasting relationships that continue today.

In the immediate aftermath of the fires, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers mobilized under the leadership of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief co-directors John and Gay Williams. Send Relief, the Southern Baptist Convention’s compassion ministry arm, played a vital early role by providing personal protection equipment and supplies for the dangerous ash-out work and by raising awareness about Maui’s ongoing recovery needs among the broader Southern Baptist family.

The initial response of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief was emotional and spiritual care by trained chaplains, followed by coordination of housing for first responders and management of volunteers at a Kihei facility. What followed was the critical “ash-out” process that began in September 2023, where volunteers carefully searched through the ashes, helping homeowners find their belongings in what was left of their homes. By Dec. 22, 2023, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief had welcomed more than 400 volunteers from 21 states who helped more than 500 families, providing immediate relief, hope and gospel witness during the critical months following the disaster.

A gap that needed filling

As the initial disaster relief efforts concluded, John and Gay Williams recognized a significant gap that needed filling. They possessed a comprehensive list of more than 650 fire survivors whom volunteer teams had personally served. Unlike typical disaster relief situations, where much smaller lists are passed to local pastors for follow-up ministry, this volume presented a challenge that would be overwhelming for any single church to handle effectively.

“We finished with over 650 names, and we didn’t want to give up the relationships that had been built through daily contact with families sifting through the ashes of what was left of their homes,” Gay Williams explained.

The solution demonstrates God’s hand of providence. Pete and Donna Beal, members of Kahului Baptist Church who had returned to Maui eight years ago in retirement after mainland ministry and business endeavors, sensed God’s direction to lead the ministry that would follow up with each of these precious souls.

Beyond the honeymoon phase

Pete and Donna positioned their Maui Fire Caring Ministry during what disaster experts call the “disillusionment phase” of recovery — the critical period when initial community support wanes and survivors face mounting anxiety about ending assistance programs. Many families were receiving concerning notices or heard rumors about FEMA housing termination, creating an opportunity for both practical assistance and spiritual ministry.

Working with 15 trained volunteers from Southern Baptist churches across Maui, the Beals developed a comprehensive approach that combined systematic phone contact with personal visits for families who expressed a need. Knowing that every fire survivor had a story about Aug. 8, 2023, their leading question was, “Where were you when the fire happened?”

“One woman told us with tears that this was the first time anyone had asked her about that day,” Donna Beal shared. “She said it was cathartic because all her friends were also fire survivors, so they never talked about what happened.”

Gospel-centered impact

While the ministry provided practical financial assistance to families in need, Pete and Donna, along with the volunteers, never lost sight of their primary purpose: sharing the gospel. At every personal meeting, they explained why the Bible they offered wasn’t just another book, but God’s living Word with the power to transform lives.

“Even when English wasn’t their first language, I could see God grabbing their hearts when Pete spoke,” Donna said. “We’d tell them, ‘If the Lord grabs your heart to come to church, these are the churches you can come to.’”

The ministry distributed approximately 200 Bibles in English, Spanish and Tagalog, offering prayer to every family, with very few declining.

Faithful service, lasting connections

Over 14 months, the Maui Fire Caring Ministry achieved something extraordinary: They contacted every single fire survivor on the original list from John and Gay Williams, plus additional survivors who came to their attention — 748 people in total.

Among the most encouraging outcomes are the ongoing church connections established. One family attended last year’s Maui County Baptist Association annual meeting to personally thank donors and was given the opportunity to share beautiful stories of hope. A single mother with a hearing-impaired autistic daughter began attending Kahului Baptist Church after connecting with the ministry.

Building on strong foundations

Gay Williams, with disaster relief experience across multiple states, notes: “I don’t know that anywhere else they followed up to contact every person that disaster relief ministered to. This may be the first time this type of systematic follow-up has been attempted.”

Every disaster response is unique, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams consistently demonstrate excellence in providing practical assistance and gospel-centered care. The Maui experience highlights how systematic, long-term follow-up, when combined with multichurch partnerships, trauma-informed volunteer training and careful stewardship, can extend ministry impact well beyond the initial response phase.

Standing firm, contending together

On July 31 of this year, the Maui Fire Caring Ministry formally concluded after 14 months of faithful service. The ministry’s impact continues through the ongoing church connections established, the gospel conversations that took place in homes across Maui, and the practical assistance that demonstrated Christ’s love during families’ darkest hours.

This ministry represents what can be accomplished when God’s people are “standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27, CSB). Hawaii Pacific Baptist Disaster Relief, Send Relief, the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention and the Maui County Baptist Association partnered seamlessly to serve fire survivors. The financial support came from across the Southern Baptist Convention — individuals, churches and state conventions who gave generously. We are deeply grateful for every prayer offered, every dollar donated and every volunteer who served.

The long road ahead for Maui

As we mark this second anniversary, the physical rebuilding of Lahaina continues to face significant challenges. According to initial damage assessments by the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center, the Lahaina fire destroyed or damaged 2,207 structures across 2,170 acres, with reconstruction costs estimated at $5.5 billion. Despite infrastructure restoration and over $3 billion in federal commitments, fewer than 50 homes have been rebuilt from the nearly 2,000 residential structures destroyed.

Recent University of Hawaii survey data confirms that approximately 90% of fire survivors remain displaced from their homes, with housing costs 50% to 60% higher than pre-fire levels. While the recent allocation of $1.6 billion in federal housing assistance provides new hope, the massive scale of destruction and lengthy permitting processes suggest that complete recovery will extend 5-10 years. These ongoing challenges underscore why sustained spiritual ministry and church connections remain so vital for families navigating this prolonged journey of rebuilding their lives.

On behalf of all those blessed by these ministries, thank you for your prayers and financial support, and please continue praying as Maui’s long road to recovery continues.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Craig Webb is executive director-treasurer of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.)