BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A church group from Bellingham is trying to make it home from Israel after being in Jerusalem when the war broke out.
Christ the King Church is praying for its lead pastor and 57 church members to make it home from a now war-torn country.
"We’re praying for safety, for peace, and for protection for everyone there and of course by name for the 57 people by name that we know and love," said Angel Finsrud, a connections pastor at CTK.
The group from Christ the King Church was in Israel for a tour of places with biblical history, something Pastor Grant Fishbook had done multiple times.
"Whenever you take a trip to that part of the world you are as cautious as you can be about potential conflict. They thought it was a safe time to travel and I think this surprised a lot of people," Finsrud said.
Early Saturday morning, Finsrud got word the group was safe in Jerusalem just far enough away from where Hamas militants attacked Israelis.
"Something we're grateful for, they were always a couple of hours away from the worst of it but they did see and hear some of the results of the conflict," Finsrud said.
Finsrud described how the group is feeling, "It's incredibly taxing, emotionally taxing to be there, even safe knowing others aren't safe. Just a difficult time."
Fishbook has been posting video updates bringing some solace to the congregation but also showing how their journey out has been filled with roadblocks. Their flight was canceled and the group had to cross the border into Jordan where they are currently waiting for a flight home.
"The plan is for them to be home Friday, but we're also grieving with those that are grieving because it is very real and close to home," Finsrud said.
In Bellingham, the church is waiting for its 57 members to soon fill the seats.
"I think everyone will feel much better once they're back home and safe here in the us that's what we're all praying for," Finsrud said.