St. Petersburg Church Group Returns Home After Dramatic Evacuation from Israel
A group of 34 members from two St. Petersburg churches, GT Church Assembly of God and Suncoast Cathedral, are safely back in Tampa after a harrowing evacuation from Israel. The group found themselves sheltering in bomb shelters as the regional conflict escalated, with missiles flying overhead. Their return, completed on Tuesday, was met with emotional reunions, cheers, and tears from family, and friends.
From Spiritual Journey to Urgent Escape
The group had arrived in Israel last Tuesday for a spiritual tour of the Holy Land. As the conflict with Iran intensified, their pilgrimage quickly transformed into a desperate search for a way home, as airports closed and major roadways became barricaded. Dr. Randy Helms, pastor of GT Church of St. Pete, described the experience as frightening, stating, “I’ve never been in a war before. I’ve never had missiles shot at me.”
Sirens and Shelters: A Constant Threat
The group experienced nearly 20 instances of having to seek cover during their trip. During a baptism service at the Jordan River, air raid sirens interrupted the ceremony, forcing them to quickly seek shelter. Helms recounted hearing bombs exploding and witnessing missiles being shot down over Tiberias while they were in bunkers. The group faced a tense 1.5-minute window to reach safety each time the sirens sounded.
Grey Bull Rescue Steps In
After exhausting all other avenues, including contacting the U.S. State Department, elected representatives, and the mayor’s office, the St. Petersburg church group reached out to Grey Bull Rescue, a Tampa-based nonprofit specializing in high-risk extractions MSN. Grey Bull Rescue successfully arranged transportation for the group to cross the border into Jordan.
Challenges in Jordan and the Journey Home
The journey didn’t end in Jordan. The group attempted to fly out twice, but airspace closures due to the ongoing conflict forced them to seek alternative routes. Grey Bull Rescue and the U.S. State Department ultimately secured a charter flight from Jordan to Greece. From Athens, the group flew back to Tampa in three separate groups, arriving on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Faith and Gratitude
Despite the fear and uncertainty, members of the group expressed a sense of calm and gratitude. Helms emphasized his unwavering determination to bring everyone home safely, stating, “I never for a moment allowed for the consideration that anything else would happen.” Karen Helms, a lay minister at GT Church of St. Pete, echoed this sentiment, describing a “calm peace” that she attributed to their faith.
A New Perspective
The experience also provided the group with a new understanding of daily life in Israel, where bomb shelters are a common feature in homes. Karen Helms drew a comparison to hurricane preparedness measures in Florida, noting that Israelis build bomb shelters in their homes in the same way Floridians install hurricane-resistant windows.
Appreciation for the United States
Randy Helms expressed a deepened appreciation for the United States, stating, “I’ve traveled all over the world and I’ll tell you it’s the greatest nation on Earth, and when you find yourself in a situation like we were in, you appreciate it all the more.”
Grey Bull Rescue Continues Evacuation Efforts
Grey Bull Rescue has been actively involved in evacuating hundreds of Americans from the region. Fox 13 News reports that the organization rescued almost 70 Americans on Tuesday and more than 100 additional Americans on Wednesday, and plans to continue rescues where possible, dependent on funding.