Arizona residents tell of their evacuation from Iraq after death of Iran Gen. Qassem Soleimani

June, 2023

The Holgates were humanitarian service missionaries for 15 months in Kurdistan, Iraq when Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed. Carey, who is a retired U.S. colonel, received an Armed Forces alert on Friday, Jan. 3, relaying the United States’ killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who had Shia forces occupying Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk. Lori said it was unclear what that would mean for their assignment in Iraq. But little did they know the impact their story would have on the many church members in Queen Creek and the East Valley. Read the full story here. This article was published in the May 2020 paper edition of the Queen Creek Independent newspaper as well as on their website.