BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Police are investigating after Christmas morning services at a Beaumont church were interrupted but not canceled by a bomb threat.
Beaumont Police received a call Monday morning from someone claiming that a bomb had been placed on the roof of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont where a Christmas morning service was underway, according to Pastor John Adolph.
Just over 40 minutes into the service, which began at 9 a.m. and was being livestreamed on YouTube, Pastor Adolph paused and told the crowd what was happening.
"Let me go ahead and make this announcement. It's dangerous to be a Christian in this day and age, because you serve a God that the world hates," Pastor Adolph can be heard on the video saying.
"A moment ago, my chief of security came and said, Pastor, somebody called Beaumont Police Department and said they put a bomb on the roof.," he told the crowd gathered inside the church.
WATCH | The service was livestreamed
The church remained calm though some reaction could be heard from the crowd in the video.
Police dispatchers received the call at about 9:30 a.m. according to Beaumont Police dispatch records.
Beaumont Police officers and Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies did respond to the church.
At the church, Pastor Adolph immediately went on to explain to the church why he planned to keep the worship service going.
"I said to myself, they didn't put a bomb on the roof when it was Halloween. We had a big old crowd of people for that. But if the devil can interrupt Christmas, he'll make it be Xmas.," he told the crowd.
Adolph explained that he had asked that all of the officers the church hires for security go up to the roof and see if there was a bomb.
"Out of an abundance of caution, a shelter in place order was activated while church security, Beaumont Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff Office immediately began a site assessment of the interior and exterior of the church edifice," Adolph said in a news release.
The pastor says Local Explosive Ordinances Detection Canine ,K9, Specialists were notified and responded. Deputy Fire Marshal, Captain Mitchell of Port Arthur Fire Marshal's Office and Sgt. Hartfield of Beaumont Independent School District also responded.
He told the crowd that they were already on the roof and that nothing had been found. He explained that had they found something he would have evacuated the congregation.
"They don't see a bomb, So I think we ought to keep having church. That's just me," he told the church.
He then told them that anyone who felt like they wanted to leave could "tip out and nobody will be mad."
"But for everybody else. We gonna keep on thanking the Lord because he died, he rose, he lives, he reigns, he rules, he has regency, hallelujah anyhow," Adolph preached.
The service then went on until about 20 minutes later when a member of the church's security team could be seen coming up onto the stage again and quietly conferring with Adolph.
Adolph then appeared to begin wrapping up the service and about five minutes later he thanked God for the response of Beaumont Police officers and asked the congregation to give them a hand.
"Upon arrival, both Explosive Ordinances Detection and IC9 Teams cleared the exterior and interior of the church premises to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation of our members. The all-clear signal was given. The evacuation was conducted without incident and there was no threat found on our church's property," Adolph said in a news release.
He then dismissed the church giving them specific instructions on how to clear the auditorium.
Following the service police on the scene also confirmed the bomb threat and told 12News the building was being evacuated.
No bomb was found according to Beaumont Police.
"We would like to give a special thank you to our Local First Responders, BPD, JCSO, BISD-PD, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Antioch's Church officials for their quick response and support during this process. We look forward to worshipping our Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Every precautionary method of ensuring the safety of our members and guests will be taken," Adolph said in a news release.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.