Christian leaders across the United States have issued urgent calls to safeguard the rights of worshippers, while also advocating for compassion towards migrants, following a significant disruption at a church service in Minnesota. The incident saw protesters opposed to immigration enforcement enter a Southern Baptist church during Sunday worship.
Protesters Enter Church During Service
The event unfolded on Sunday, 19 January 2026, at the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Approximately three dozen protesters entered the building during the service. Some walked directly to the pulpit, while others chanted loudly, shouting phrases including "ICE out" and "Renee Good." The latter refers to a woman fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on 7 January during an enforcement operation.
The protest created a direct link to the congregation, as one of the church's pastors, David Easterwood, leads the local ICE field office. Notably, one of the protest leaders, prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, is also an ordained reverend.
Faith Leaders React with Firmness and Compassion
The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention, to which Cities Church belongs, described the incident as "an unacceptable trauma." In a statement, the convention's leader, Trey Turner, emphasised a dual response. "I believe we must be resolute in two areas: encouraging our churches to provide compassionate pastoral care to these (migrant) families and standing firm for the sanctity of our houses of worship," he wrote.
The disruption was so severe that the service had to end early. Video evidence showed protesters shouting insults and accusations at youth, children, and families present. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, strongly condemned the actions. "No cause — political or otherwise — justifies the desecration of a sacred space or the intimidation and trauma inflicted on families gathered peacefully in the house of God," he stated, calling the event "lawless harassment."
Legal and Political Fallout
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Sunday that it has opened a civil rights investigation into the matter. Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, posted on social media that her office was investigating "potential violations of the federal FACE Act," labelling the incident "un-American and outrageous." The 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act prohibits intimidating or obstructing persons exercising religious freedom at a place of worship.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt termed the protest "despicable," warning that "President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship." The event occurs against a backdrop of heightened tension in Minnesota, where a recent surge in immigration operations has mobilised community activists against federal officers.
The incident has also spotlighted the deep divisions among American Christians on immigration. While white evangelical churches often support stronger enforcement, the Catholic hierarchy frequently advocates for migrant rights. Miles Mullin of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission stressed that while protest is valid, a firm "red line" must be drawn at preventing worship. "This is something that just shouldn't happen in America," he said.
In the wake of the protest, several pastors have commented on the need for improved church security in today's volatile political climate, a concern amplified by a fatal shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school Mass last summer.
