"Glory to God that they are home safe:" Prayers of praise after missing teen boys found in Dodge Co.
DODGE COUNTY -- There was drama in Dodge County Monday, July 11th -- as Dodge County Sheriff's officials and others searched for three missing teenage boys. On Monday afternoon, they were rescued from an abandoned mine -- and on Monday evening, there were prayers -- thanking God that they were found relatively unharmed.
Sheriff's officials said the boys were exploring and couldn't find their way out of the abandoned mine/cave.
Video shared by CNN Monday evening shows the moments after the boys were rescued:
After the boys' rescue, many felt as though prayers had been answered as all three were reunited with their families.
Gateway Community Church
"Glory to God that they are home safe with their families," Chip Parmer with Gateway Community Church said.
At Gateway Community Church Monday evening, there were prayers for 16-year-old Tate Rose, 16-year-old Zach Heron and 15-year-old Sam Lein. They suffered bumps and scrapes after they became lost in the abandoned mine for more than 24 hours.
One of the boys admitted to deputies they went into the Neda mine around 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon and got turned around. They couldn't find their way out.
"I think they were just being boys. It`s unfortunate the situation that happened," Parmer said.
Dodge County Sheriff's officials and others began searching for the boys. They were eventually found in the pitch black, dark mine -- shouting for help. Officials with the Milwaukee Fire Department found them.
Patricia Antony
"Our hearts are just lifted," Patricia Antony, School District of Mayville superintendent said.
Antony said the boys will enter ninth grade in the fall. She described them as curious and extremely resourceful students, and said she's glad they're safe.
"There is nothing more frightening. If this had endured, it would have been national news by (Monday) evening," Antony said.
Neda mine, Dodge County
Abandoned mine in Dodge Co. where three missing teens located
Antony authorized school district buses to be used in transporting search and rescue crews to the mine on Monday morning.
"I think God was with us," Antony said.
Neda mine, Dodge County
Lein and Heron are both members of Gateway Community Church -- where there was praise Monday evening for those who helped get these boys home.
"Glory to God that it was a joyous ending instead of a tragic one," Parmer said.
The families of Lein, Heron and Rose released the following statement on Monday evening:
"At this time it’s so hard to find words adequate to express how incredibly blessed we feel to have our boys back with us safe in our homes. We along with our family and friends went straight to the Lord God to ask for the safe return of Sam, Zach and Tate.
We want to express our utmost gratitude for the countless Emergency Services workers who united to bring our boys home safely. We will be forever grateful to each and every one of you for working tirelessly throughout the night and the heat of the day to do this. It was amazing to watch both the families and different organizations supporting each other and seamlessly putting a plan together.
We ask that you respect the privacy of our families from this point forward and this is our final statement in regard to this incident. Please know that we are eternally grateful to all of you."
