MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Services at New Vision Church in Murfreesboro resumed Thursday after a bomb threat caused panic and forced hundreds of worshippers to evacuate the building Wednesday evening.
The threat, which was posted on a social media platform, prompted immediate action from local authorities. Murfreesboro police responded swiftly, bringing in both human officers and K-9 units, as well as assistance from the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department. As a result, the church, which was hosting a large gathering including a youth group, was evacuated for safety.
“The situation was very frightening for many of our members, especially those with young children,” said Greg Freeman, executive pastor of New Vision Church. “Although we had to evacuate quickly, we received an overwhelming amount of support from the church community. Many sent messages expressing their appreciation for how smoothly the situation was handled under such stress.”
According to Murfreesboro police, the bomb threat was taken seriously due to the potential risks involved, with officers ensuring that the building was thoroughly searched before any individuals were allowed to return.
“It’s difficult to imagine the fear that these children experienced hearing there might be a bomb inside the building,” said Larry Flowers, public information officer for the Murfreesboro Police Department. “The evacuation had to be done quickly to ensure everyone’s safety.”
While the church responded with established procedures for emergency situations, Freeman noted that the event was unprecedented for their congregation. “We have plans in place for emergencies, but we’ve never had to deal with something like this before. Our priority was making sure everyone was safe and secure.”
The investigation into the bomb threat led to the arrest of two teens, who have since been charged with filing false police reports. The identities and motives of the teens remain unclear, but Freeman expressed sympathy for them. “My heart goes out to these teens, even though we don’t know them or understand why they did this,” he said. “They’ve caused a great deal of panic, and in situations like this, people can get hurt. There will certainly be legal consequences for their actions.”
As the church community works to process the emotional impact of the scare, many expressed gratitude for the quick and professional response from local authorities. While the incident disrupted services, it was a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in any community gathering space.
“We’re grateful that no one was injured, and we’re thankful for all the support we’ve received,” Freeman added. “It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, and we’ll continue to be strong moving forward.”
