Bomb Threat Forces Evacuation at Screening of John MacArthur’s ‘The Essential Church’ at G3 National Conference

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Screengrab via WBS-TV

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G3 released an update on social media, informing their followers of the threat that took place. “G3 Conference update: Everyone is safe. Authorities are currently clearing the building, but no one will be able to get back in tonight. Our plan is to proceed as planned in the morning. Doors open at 7; MacArthur at 8.”

Saturday morning, a new update relayed a change in plans that bumped everything back an hour. “UPDATE: We are ready to go for the final day of the 2023 G3 National Conference. Revised schedule. We will begin at 9am. Doors open at 8am. Let’s finish strong!”

The new delayed schedule removed a pre-recorded video message from MacArthur and instead started the day with Answers In Genesis’ founder Ken Ham.

G3’s executive director of operations and cohost of the Just Thinking Podcast, Virgil Walker, gave a quick announcement regarding a new safety measure they needed to enforce in light of the threat that took place on Friday night.

Many of those in attendance on Saturday morning brought their luggage with them and lined them in an area outside the convention room, because they’d be leaving directly after the conference was over. As a precaution to account for everyone’s bags, Walker asked if they could keep their luggage with them.

RELATED: John MacArthur Gives Update on His Heart Problems on Grace to You Radio Broadcast

“We want to take every extra measure of precaution to ensure your total and complete safety,” he added.

Josh Buice, the founder and president of G3 Ministries, then thanked everyone for their patience on Friday night. “I want to begin with an announcement just by thanking you for the patience as we dealt with an unfortunate situation last night with a threat that caused us to evacuate the building.”

“Many of you experienced inconveniences and had to leave personal belongings and and then of course the uncertainty of how we would start this day,” Buice continued. “We want to thank you for working with us as we had to go through the entire night really to secure the building.

Buice asked for prayers regarding the “entire situation” and said that they would be providing more details about what took place in a future email. “I just want to thank you again for the patience and we want it to finish strong.”

He added, “Many of us gathered in the Marriott lobby and we were singing hymns to the Lord last night. This is a conference on the sovereignty of God. So we should not be gripped by the fear of man or anything else. And so in many ways, we saw this as a test last night and it was a privilege just to be together with hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ in the Marriott when everyone came to a standstill and we were able to sing praises to God.”

Before introducing Ham, Buice concluded, “What a wonderful moment that was. It will be a privilege to continue to worship with you as we gather this morning.

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Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse is the Senior Content Editor for ChurchLeaders and Site Manager for ChristianNewsNow. An undeserving husband to a beautiful wife, and a father to 4 beautiful children. He is currently a church elder in training, a growth group leader, and is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. Follow him on twitter here (https://twitter.com/jessetjackson). Accredited member of the Evangelical Press Association.

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