Imperial Valley Church group Stranded in Israel Amid Middle East conflict

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. - A group of 33 travelers from Christ Community Church in the Imperial Valley remains in Jerusalem as airspace disruptions and security alerts continue across the region following recent military strikes involving Israel and Iran.

The group, led by Senior Pastor Walter Colace, traveled to Israel on February 17 for a biblical tour that included historical and religious sites across the country.

“We flew out February 17 from LAX and flew direct into Tel Aviv on El Al Airlines,” Colace said. “We arrived on the 18th in the afternoon and began our biblical tour the next day.”

During the trip, the group visited several locations tied to biblical history, including Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Megiddo, and the Sea of Galilee. The trip was scheduled to conclude March 1, when the group planned to depart from Tel Aviv.

Those plans changed when Israel reportedly carried out strikes inside Iran, triggering regional security alerts and missile warnings across parts of the Middle East.

Colace said the group was staying at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem when warning sirens began sounding.

“When a siren goes off, it is the indicator that a missile is headed our way,” Colace said. “Everyone has approximately 10 to 12 minutes to get into the bomb shelter before the missile hits or before it’s intercepted.”

The pastor said the first alert turned out to be a drill, but a second siren shortly afterward prompted a real move to shelter.

“Everybody moved calmly at a normal walking pace,” Colace said. “Nobody was in a panic.”

He said sirens continued throughout the night, sometimes sounding multiple times between midnight and the early morning hours.

“You would hear a siren at midnight, one in the morning, two in the morning,” he said. “At that time you have to get up, throw your clothes on quickly, and move to the bomb shelter.”

Colace said the group has since relocated to another location in Jerusalem that he declined to disclose for security reasons. Despite the circumstances, Colace said the group has remained calm and supportive of one another.

“Every single person in the group is holding up very strong emotionally,” he said.

He added that members of the group have spent time praying, reading scripture, and singing together while sheltering.

“Every time we go to the bomb shelter there are spontaneous moments of prayer, scripture reading, and singing songs,” Colace said.

Flights out of Israel were initially halted as the situation unfolded. Colace said the group had been scheduled to return to the United States on El Al Airlines and is now waiting for airspace operations to resume.

According to Colace, the airline informed them they were the first group scheduled to return once flights to the United States resume.

“That could happen tonight or tomorrow,” he said. “We’re praying it happens sooner rather than later.”

Government offices have also contacted the group to offer assistance.

Colace said the office of U.S. Senator Adam Schiff reached out after seeing reports about the group, and State Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez has also been assisting with efforts to help them return home.

While another option to leave the country through Egypt exists, Colace said the group decided to wait for updates from the airline instead of attempting an eight-hour drive to Cairo amid uncertain travel conditions.

The experience, he said, has given the group a new perspective on daily life in Israel.

“We’ve witnessed in real time what Israelis go through under missile attacks,” Colace said. “We’ve seen mothers holding their children’s hands walking to a safe place.”

He said the experience has also strengthened the group’s faith and connection with the Imperial Valley community.

“The Imperial Valley is a unique place,” Colace said. “It feels like family.”

He asked residents back home to continue praying for the group while they wait for their return.

“We love you, Imperial Valley,” Colace said. “Continue to pray for us. We can’t wait to put our feet back on the ground in Imperial Valley.”