Update on Fires in Colorado
Colorado currently has several major fires burning, the largest northeast of Colorado Springs (Black Forest Fire). Two of our United Church of God member families there have had to evacuate from their homes and cannot return until mandatory evacuation orders are lifted—which may be some time, as the massive fire changes direction depending on the wind direction. Another nearby family has evacuated as a precaution.
Another family about 60 miles further south is near an evacuation area for a different fire and may need to evacuate if the fire direction changes. Our Colorado Springs hall is currently not far from an evacuation advisory area, so we may need to cancel services for this Sabbath—which we may need to do anyway due to heavy smoke in the area. We appreciate your prayers about this situation for everyone affected in this area.
According to Wikipedia: "It is the most destructive fire in Colorado state history, surpassing the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire, which also began near Colorado Springs."
From Scott Ashley, United Church of God pastor -- Colorado Springs, Denver and Frisco, Colorado
Course Content
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
