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Menifee Today
By the People, for the People
Arizona Church Groups Stranded in Israel as Conflict Escalates
Snowflake and Surprise congregations caught in region-wide crisis after U.S. and Israel strike Iranian leadership.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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American church groups from Arizona were scrambling to evacuate Israel after joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering retaliatory missile strikes and shutting down commercial air travel. A women's Christian group from Calvary Chapel Snowflake in northern Arizona was among those stranded, with one member documenting their time in a bomb shelter. Pastors from Calvary Chapel FourteenSix in Surprise posted a video update describing a calmer scene near the Sea of Galilee, but later said their Israel team was evacuating.
Why it matters
The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has put American citizens in the region at risk, with the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem unable to assist in evacuations as the situation continues to deteriorate. This highlights the potential dangers for religious and other tour groups visiting the Middle East during times of heightened geopolitical tensions.
The details
The airstrikes that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader prompted retaliatory missile strikes from Iran, shutting down commercial air travel in and out of Israel. A women's group from Calvary Chapel Snowflake in Arizona was among those stranded, with one member posting on Facebook about taking shelter from missiles. Pastors from Calvary Chapel FourteenSix in Surprise, Arizona initially described a calmer scene near the Sea of Galilee, but later said their Israel team was evacuating.
- On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- On March 1, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem confirmed it is unable to evacuate or directly assist Americans trying to leave Israel, and announced it will close on March 2.
The players
Calvary Chapel Snowflake
A Christian church in Snowflake, Arizona whose women's group was stranded in Israel during the conflict.
Calvary Chapel FourteenSix
A church in the Surprise, Arizona area that had a team in Israel that was forced to evacuate.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The Iranian Supreme Leader who was killed in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, triggering the retaliatory missile attacks.
What they’re saying
“It is a little bit scary. But they know he's protecting them.”
— Dana Bland, 81-year-old member of Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship in Temecula, California (azcentral.com)
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has announced it will close on March 2, directing all U.S. government employees and their families to shelter in place. The State Department has issued a worldwide caution for all Americans abroad, urging citizens to follow guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The takeaway
This crisis highlights the risks religious and other tour groups face when visiting the Middle East during heightened geopolitical tensions. It underscores the importance of closely monitoring travel advisories and having contingency plans in place when visiting volatile regions.
