BIXBY, Okla. — Bixby police have confirmed Transformation Church, located near 101st and Memorial, received a threat on Sunday causing them to evacuate the building.
While unwrapping gifts on stage, the church's pastor was approached by someone and he quickly evacuated the building.
Church-goer, Zxyrlina Allen, initially thought the interruption was part of the programming.
"I'm thinking it's a part of, you know, a prop or preaching or something," she said. "Nothing like this has ever happened."
Bixby Police Department gave the all-clear and churchgoers were let into the building in groups of 30 to gather any personal belongings left inside.
A Bixby police officer initially told 2 News it was a bomb threat, but was later told it was a general threat.
Officer Seth Adcock, Public Information Officer at Bixby Police Department, commended Transformation Church for being prepared for these situations.
"We evacuated the church, which was done very smoothly because the church already has an evacuation plan ready to go. We got them out of the building," he said. "There was no threat found."
Officer Adcock said Bixby Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, and Transformation Church Security all helped to evacuate and search the building.
Pastor Michael Todd addressed the situation on social media.
"We were in the middle of the most amazing Christmas Eve service and we had to abruptly end service and evacuate the building. And I want to let you know why. It was out of the abundance of caution."
The church has also provided a statement.
This is a developing story.
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