Arthur Baptist Church embodies the Kingdom of God during historic Nebraska wildfires
Photograph by Fachy Marin via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula
In March 2026, a series of wildfires swept across western Nebraska at alarming speeds. The Morrill Fire began because of a spark from a power line, igniting the dry prairie beneath. The fire spread quickly south and east, driven by high winds and low humidity. Within just a few hours it traveled over 80 miles into Arthur County.
The Morrill Fire in Arthur, Garden, Keith, and Morrill counties consumed over 642,000 acres of Nebraska sandhills used for cattle grazing and water conservation. Over 800,000 acres of Nebraska were consumed between the Morrill Fire and other wildfires across the state in March, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. Local ranchers lost important infrastructure like miles of fencing, storage barns, and farming equipment. Some lost homes. All lost the grass needed to feed the millions of cattle that supply the international beef supply chain. Such losses go beyond creating an economic crisis but also deeply impact families mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Arthur Baptist Church, a small American Baptist congregation that quickly turned its church building into a relief station for exhausted firefighters and evacuated families, has helped remind American Baptists in Nebraska and across the country that disaster relief happens in phases. There are immediate needs: caring for displaced people and supporting those who fight fires. The long-term care begins in the days and weeks after the smoke clears and the ash is blown away by the wind.
Pastor Blake Wilkes, his wife Lana, and the members of Arthur Baptist have listened as people shared their stories of loss, helping the grieving process begin. The recovery from these historic wildfires will take years for the land and people to heal enough to return to some sense of normalcy. Arthur Baptist Church has proven to be a congregation that is rooted in the love of Christ and cares for every aspect of the disaster relief process.
Christian love moves toward suffering, not away from it. And even in the sand and ashes, resurrection hope still rises.
Upon learning of the devastating fires, the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska organized a fundraising effort to provide financial resources to supplement the costs of care and support. Additionally, attendees of the Prairie Pastor Conference donated $2,000 within 24 hours. Finally, ABC Nebraska church members donated through local church giving over the course of the next few weeks, raising another $4,000.
The American Baptist Home Mission Society learned of the fires and offered support and care. After a single phone call and an easy online application, ABHMS provided a $5,000 disaster relief grant. This generous support during a time of stress is a tangible expression of how churches help churches through our national partners. Grants like this help congregations and regions respond quickly to urgent needs and deliver meaningful assistance to those providing direct care. We are grateful to the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the Prairie Pastor Conference attendees, our 5,000 ABCUSA congregations that give to One Great Hour of Sharing, and Nebraska Baptists for their generosity. Together, our ABCUSA family has acted to provide immediate care and long-term recuperation.
Climate change has increased the severity of wildfires in recent years. Nebraska and the Great Plains experience cyclical droughts and prairie fires. Grass seeds are protected underground, allowing the grass to regrow after rain. Balancing the natural fire cycles that benefit the plains with the global ranching economy is challenging. Prescribed burns in central Nebraska have helped prevent fires from becoming as destructive as the Morrill Fires in Arthur and Keith Counties. However, the immediate pain and loss from these fires call for compassion and care for those affected.
The recovery ahead will take years. Grasslands must regrow, fences must be replaced, herds of cattle must be cared for, and families must decide whether to rebuild or begin again elsewhere. Yet Arthur Baptist Church continues to stand as a faithful witness to Jesus Christ in western Nebraska. In the shadow of flame and ash, they are reminding their community, and the wider American Baptist family, that the gospel is still good news. Christian love moves toward suffering, not away from it. And even in the sand and ashes, resurrection hope still rises.
Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula is the Executive Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska (ABC NE). In addition to his regional role, he is the author of “Table Life: An Invitation to Everyday Discipleship,” exploring how shared meals can deepen community and spirituality. He also co-edited “Conflict Management and the Apostle Paul” and contributes articles to publications like Word & Way and The Christian Citizen. Additionally, he hosts the “Mission in 5” podcast, discussing various facets of church life and ministry.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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