40 church members stranded in Jerusalem amid escalating war: ‘It’s just completely surreal’

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) — What was meant to be a spiritual journey has left 40 members of a South Carolina church stranded in the Holy Land as war breaks out around them.

The group from Calvary Chapel Summerville was three hours away from boarding its flight home when the conflict among Iran, Israel and the United States shut down the airspace, leaving them stuck in Jerusalem.

“We were going through security and that’s when the war broke out,” Pastor Vic Carroll said. “The alarms went off. They ushered us all to the bomb shelters.”

Since then, the group has been sheltering in place as sirens sound repeatedly throughout the day.

“The sirens, the alarms are going off back and forth and over and over,” Carroll said. “Every time we head to the bomb shelter. You’ve only got a few minutes to get there once the alarm goes off and we’re hearing the explosions going off over our heads, it’s just completely surreal. It’s unbelievable.”

The same anxiety the group feels in Israel is being felt across the Atlantic Ocean back home in Summerville.

“It was obviously very nerve-racking to know that our people are in Israel and potentially in danger,” Calvary Chapel Summerville Assistant Pastor Charles Timmerman said. “However, immediately our faith comes into play.”

Timmerman said the group has sought shelter more than 30 times in 24 hours. While everyone remains safe, the logistical and financial challenges are mounting.

Between extended hotel stays and rerouted travel plans, church leaders estimate it will cost nearly $100,000 to get everyone home safely.

“The $100,000 is a barrier,” Timmerman said. “But we trust in God, and people have been very generous already.”

Church leaders said they have also been in contact with state and federal officials, including Rep. Nancy Mace, as they work to coordinate a safe path home. In a statement, Mace’s office said constituent safety is a top priority and that the congresswoman is working directly with those affected.

For security reasons, specific travel plans have not been shared publicly. Despite the uncertainty, Carroll said the group remains in good spirits.

“We think we are safe,” he said. “The Lord has taken care of us. Maybe all of you out there can say a prayer for us tonight.”

A GoFundMe has been launched to help offset the expenses of bringing the church members safely home. The campaign has raised more than $88,000 in two days.