He evacuated just in time.
A pastor from Texas has returned safely to his family after a harrowing week in the Middle East and is attributing his safe return to the prayers and support of his church community. Pastor Steve Brooks of First Methodist Church in Midland had traveled to Israel with his wife and their 9-year-old twins for a spiritual trip when conflict erupted between Israel and Iran, drastically changing the course of their journey.
As tensions intensified, the Brooks family made a swift effort to evacuate. They quietly boarded buses in Jerusalem and endured an 18-hour trip to Jordan, where they joined many others also attempting to leave the region. Due to safety concerns, they were instructed to limit communication, though they were still able to view emails and social media updates during the ordeal.
Pastor Brooks described the emotional impact of knowing his congregation back home was rallying behind him in prayer. Associate Pastor Kurt Borden noted that the church held a special service to pray for the family’s safety, organizing scripture readings, music, and lighting candles in a heartfelt show of support. Borden emphasized the spiritual strength that came from a community united in faith during a time of crisis.
Reflecting on the experience, Brooks said it challenged and reaffirmed his faith, quoting scripture to express how deeply he relied on God during the uncertainty. He credited the congregation’s prayers for helping his family make it through safely, calling it a powerful example of faith in action.
The church shared the good news of the Brooks family’s safe return to the U.S. via Facebook on June 20. Their evacuation followed Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, which triggered a new wave of conflict in the region, further complicating their situation abroad.