California has some fast-growing regions in need of new churches. Few top the charts like the once-average town of Indio, in the desert east of Palm Springs, which has grown more than 70 percent in the last 11 years. 

Church starting is a primary strategy for California Southern Baptists to reach the Golden State for Christ. In October 2010, God blessed California Southern Baptists' 10-10-10 initiative, as more than 40 church plants sponsored significant events during the Oct. 8-10 weekend. 

For more than 15 years, Southern Baptists across the country have utilized evangelistic block parties for various reasons: launching a new church, celebrating a fall festival or kicking off Vacation Bible School. The foundational motivation, however, is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him. 

To leave Twentynine Palms eastward-bound is to place yourself 100 miles from the next “service area.” It also puts you half an hour from the Wonder Valley community – where the population density plummets to five people per square mile, and not a few of them live in homes that had their start during the homesteading days of the 1930s and 40s. 

Cooperating with Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other humanitarian entities, California Southern Baptists have helped meet the physical and spiritual needs of disaster victims through a myriad of ministries: mass feeding, mud-outs, fire cleanup, debris removal, fallen tree removal through chain saw crews, chaplaincy, communications, water purification, shower trailers and other emergency services. 

"During the last 10 years, we've ministered to some of the poorest people in our nation right here in the San Joaquin Valley," said Oscar Sanchez, California Southern Baptist Convention migrant ministries field specialist who heads up FTWFU for the Convention. "We've also been blessed by the thousands of Southern Baptist volunteers who have given their time and resources in ministry to these migrant workers." 

The arrival of summer means a season of recreation and relaxation for most high school and college students. Most, but not all. This summer, almost 60 students are ministering in 18 mission projects across the Golden State, mostly assisting with Vacation Bible Schools in rural areas, going from church to church, helping those that are understaffed.