Pike County Family Stranded in Jerusalem

Brian and Ellen Carden and Chris and Cara Cook are with Ed and Gigi Hoard right now in Israel on a tour of the Holy Land. The group reported early this morning that everyone is OK, however, their travel guide is urging them to evacuate Israel asap. The airport in Tel Aviv is closed and the group would need to get to Egypt in order to fly out.

According to the Pike County Times, Several Pike County residents are trapped overseas after U.S. forces, in conjunction with Israel, launched what President Donald Trump called “major combat operations” in Iran. The widespread missile strikes targeted infrastructure, military sites and senior leaders, killing around 600 people in 130 different locations. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes on nine countries, including a missile strike in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh that killed nine and injured 27 people.

Dr. Ed Hoard, former pastor of First Baptist Zebulon, was leading a group that was touring Israel when the attacks occurred – including four Pike County residents, Brian and Ellen Carden and Chris and Cara Cook. After the attacks, the group was attempting to reach Egypt in hopes of catching a flight home.Dr. Hoard posted an update Sunday, March 1.

“We are very safe where we are in Israel. We’ve been cautioned not to put specific travel information on social media for security reasons,” he wrote. “We enjoyed a meaningful worship service today with Daniel Edwards at the piano, Brian Cardin leading the singing and a pastor friend we’ve met from Texas sharing a brief message. God is good all the time and Jesus is Lord! Look forward to getting home as soon as we can.”Stephanie Elder of Christ Chapel Zebulon was with a different group in Israel. She said she hopes to be on American soil by Friday via France but could not include details or continue to post on social media.“Y’all please continue to pray these folks all over the Middle East. There are both good and evil people here. There are Christians, Muslims, Jews … but I must remind you that the same God that created you created them too. Pray for ALL of them!”