An Alabama megachurch that holds “Secret Church” events involving extended prayer, worship and hard-core Christian teaching had to be evacuated Friday after receiving threats of violent acts against the gathering.
The service, which was to be lead by International Mission Board president and pastor David Platt, was held in the night at an undisclosed location as police investigated.
“Due to security concerns, the elders and leadership at the church have decided to close the church for the simulcast. The simulcast will take place, but not at Brook Hills. If you are a ticket holder, information has been sent to you via email,” said the website of the Radical ministry, which is headed by former Brook Hills pastor Platt.
The staff of the church along with the pre-school’s teachers and students were evacuated from the building.
“We want to ensure the safety of our staff and members, and all those who are going to participate,” Chris Kinsley, the Church’s communications director, told Yellowhammer. “We live in a world where our fellow Christians around the world face threats on a daily basis. We’re lucky enough to live in a country where that is unusual, but when it does happen we want to take it seriously but also not allow it to cause us to shrink back from the message we have to share.”
The Secret Church events can last upwards of six hours or more and focus on Jesus Christ. The teachings for this session sent via simulcast around the world focused on slavery and sexuality based on Leviticus 25:35-43 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
“Secret Church is a time where we join together to study God’s Word and to identify with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted in countless places around the world,” according to the ministry’s website.
“When we think of ‘church’ in America, we think of going to meet at a building, singing, praying and hearing a message from a Pastor or teacher. But in many places around the world, ‘church’ meets in a home, an apartment, even in secret. These small groups of Christ-followers often meet for many hours in study, prayer and fellowship, as it is dangerous to travel to ‘church’ and they want to make the most of their time together.”