CROSSETT, AR - We're told the Pastor of Cloverdale Assembly of God Church left Crossett, Arkansas Sunday (10/19) headed toward Gambia in West Africa.
Despite no confirmed cases in the small country, the trip still has many questioning the timing.
According to the church, Pastor John Martin has had this trip planned for two years. They say he's since been in touch with the Centers for Disease Control, has apparently received a protective suit and has discussed ebola concerns with his congregation.
Now the rest of the town is wondering why they're finding out about it after he left.
"There was not that many people that knew about it until yesterday," Heather Marabanian said.
All it took was a Facebook post about the church pastor going to Africa.
"And then when it all come out it was like all hell broke loose," Heather explained. "Everybody was just in a panic."
Heather says she wants to know why, for the safety of her daughter, someone in her community would choose to go to west Africa when all they've heard is that's where ebola is.
According to the church, Pastor Martin left on a mission trip to bring the church to The Gambia.
The west African country has had zero confirmed cases of ebola.
Crossett Mayor Scott McCormick says City Hall is aware of and understands the concerns but doesn't think there will be a real problem.
"Some people are blowing this thing out of proportion but I think everything will be all right," he said. "When the Lord leads, you got to go."
Those that reached out to us agree. They just disagree with the timing.
"Everybody should know Jesus Christ you know," David Pruitt remarked about the mission trip's objective. "But right now is just not the time."
Pruitt runs a Facebook page in Ashley County where many have gone to to voice their concerns about the mission trip.
"This is a scare," he said. "I mean this is really a scare. We're a small community."
They're all hoping that the word of God is the only thing that spreads.
"I feel like the trip should have been put off till we figure out what's going on with this."
The Pastor's trip is expected to last two weeks. We're told we should expect a statement from him when he gets back but they don't have anything to say about the concerns until then.