SOUTHLAKE, Texas — A fog machine malfunction during Gateway Fellowship's 9 a.m. worship service Sunday prompted the temporary evacuation of approximately 340 congregants after several attendees concluded that the Rapture had begun.
The incident occurred during the bridge of "Holy Ground," when the machine responsible for stage atmosphere effects produced an unplanned sustained discharge that reduced visibility in the front third of the sanctuary to near zero.
Lead worshiper Jason Aldridge continued playing through the event for approximately ninety seconds before becoming aware that the congregation was moving toward exits.
"I thought they were responding to the Spirit," Aldridge said.
Seventeen congregants reached the parking lot before ushers were able to clarify that the service was ongoing and that the fog was not supernatural in origin.
Four attendees declined to return. Two stated they had not yet ruled out the supernatural explanation.
"The Bible says it happens like a thief in the night," said one congregant, who asked not to be named. "I'm not going to be the person who went back inside."
Senior Pastor David Kline addressed the incident from the stage following a ten-minute delay. He noted that the church has used theatrical fog since 2019 without incident and described the effects as designed to create "an atmosphere of awe and reverence."
The fog machine has been taken offline pending review.
Aldridge said the service ultimately recovered well.
"After we got everyone back in, the Spirit really moved," he said. "Maybe even more than usual."