A group of pastors and their wives led by former Send Relief President Bryant Wright are returning to the United States after being caught in escalating conflict in Israel. The group had just finished taking photos in Jerusalem’s Old City when U.S. and Israeli missiles struck Iran, killing senior leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian retaliation forced the group to remain in their hotel, making 17 trips to a bomb shelter over 36 hours.
“I know the pastors were disappointed, because so many of them and their wives had not been to Israel,” Wright said. “But at the same time, we needed to be in that shelter many times. We shared in prayer, Scripture reading and worship. It ended up being an unbelievable experience.”
Josh Powell, pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church, described the strain of constant alerts. “You’re constantly living in light of the fact that the alert could come through any moment,” he said. The group later traveled to Eliat, crossed into Egypt with a driver named Moshe, and continued to Cairo. Wright said, “We’re so thankful for the prayers of Southern Baptists.”
