Florida Church Group Escapes Israel Conflict

0:00Tampa Bay stories making news on March 4th. 34 church members from St. Petersburg, Florida are heading home from Israel after a scary trip cut short by conflict. The group from GT Church Assembly of God and Sun Coast Cathedral landed their last Tuesday for a holy land tour. But rising tensions with Iran forced them into bomb shelters nearly 20 times as airport shut down and roads closed. Earlier this week, air raid sirens first blare during a group event at the Jordan River, sending everyone rushing for cover. They heard missiles overhead and explosions nearby, with just 90 seconds to reach safety each time. Though ordeal turned their peaceful visit into a desperate push to get out, pastor Randy Helms called a frightening, especially since none of them had faced war before. Still, the group stayed calm and never lost hope, leaning on prayers from family and friends back home. Families in Florida have been anxiously waiting for their safe return. When official channels like the U.S. State Department and local leaders couldn't help, the travelers turned

1:02to tap a base gray bull rescue. A tour member knew the nonprofit and they quickly arranged the evacuation. The group crossed the border Tuesday, though their exact route home remains under wraps for security. Gray bulls founder says they're handling hundreds of rescues this week amid tough conditions, with many more requests still pending. It's all funded by donors and their work is far from done. The church group praised them as heroes for making it possible to come home safe. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. Layback, press play, let the pillow do the rest, sound meets comfort, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.