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U.S. and Israel strike Iran; Baptist group shelters in Jerusalem hotel bunker

IMB President Paul Chitwood confirmed missionaries were unharmed and urged prayer for believers and soldiers.
  • February 28, 2026
  • Baptist Press, The Baptist Paper
  • Featured, International Mission Board, International News, Latest News, North American Mission Board
(IMB file photo/used only for illustrative purposes)

U.S. and Israel strike Iran; Baptist group shelters in Jerusalem hotel bunker

A group of Southern Baptist pastors and spouses, led by former Send Relief President Bryant Wright, sheltered in a Jerusalem hotel bunker Saturday (Feb. 28) as the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, Baptist Press reported. Iran reportedly responded with retaliation strikes across the region, according to the Associated Press. South Carolina pastor Josh Powell said sirens in Jerusalem sent the group underground, where they prayed and read Scripture.

‘Major combat operations’

President Donald Trump called the strikes “Operation Epic Fury,” and described them as “major combat operations.” He noted the objective was to eliminate imminent threats from Iran’s regime, and he is urging Iranians to “take over your government.”

Meanwhile, IMB President Paul Chitwood confirmed missionaries were unharmed and urged prayer for believers and soldiers, BP reported.

Full story.

See other related links:

Calls for prayer as U.S. and Israel strike Iran, face retaliation -Baptist Press

US and Israel launch a major attack on Iran. Trump urges Iranians to ‘take over’ -Associated Press

US, Israel launch attack on Iran as Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ -Fox News

The links above are a sampling of headlines related to the story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This report is a summary of stories compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting from Baptist Press and various news outlets. 

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