Protests Disrupt Worship

In a shocking display of activism gone awry, protesters stormed into a worship service at City’s Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026, turning a sacred gathering into a chaotic confrontation. This event, tied to ongoing ICE raids and immigration tensions under the second Trump administration, has sparked widespread debate about religious freedom, church security, and the boundaries of protest.

As a pastor and host of the Code Red podcast, I sat down with fellow Southern Baptist pastor Adam Page from Amelia Baptist Church to unpack this incident and its broader implications. Our conversation delved into the details of what happened, how the church responded, and what it means for congregations across the country—especially in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

Minneapolis-St. Paul has become a flashpoint for immigration debates, with its status as a sanctuary city drawing both migrants and controversy. Under President Trump’s renewed focus on border security, ICE raids have intensified, leading to protests. On that fateful Sunday, a group of demonstrators—many affiliated with Black Lives Matter and led by activist Nikki Levy Armstrong—entered City’s Church during the service.

According to reports from the church and eyewitness accounts, the protesters didn’t just attend quietly; they rose up, chanting slogans against ICE and demanding action. The church was specifically targeted because one of its elders, David Easterwood, serves as the acting director of the local ICE field office. This connection was apparently “doxed,” turning a place of worship into a political battleground.

Pastor Jonathan Parnell, the lead pastor, handled the disruption with remarkable poise. As Adam and I discussed, he addressed the crowd directly, emphasizing that the service was for worshiping Christ, not political debate. “We’re here to worship Christ. This is not what we’re here for. We can talk later. Not. This is the Lord’s day,” he reportedly said, drawing on what seemed like Holy Spirit-led wisdom in a high-pressure moment.

The church’s official response, posted on their website, was twofold: They expressed outrage at the violation of their sacred space while entering “Shepherd mode” to care for their congregation. Notably, they’ve avoided responding to media outlets, focusing instead on internal healing and protection.

Journalist Don Lemon, who “happened” to be nearby and followed the mob into the church, has been quick to distance himself, but his presence added fuel to the media fire. CNN even drew controversial comparisons, likening the church to “white nationalist” groups—a claim that doesn’t hold up when you look at the diverse congregation in St. Paul.

This isn’t just an isolated event; it’s a wake-up call for churches everywhere. Adam and I explored how such disruptions could play out in different contexts. In the South, where concealed carry is common, a similar incident might escalate quickly if congregants feel threatened. “If this happened in my church,” Adam noted, “it could probably be very bad if they felt like their kids were scared or people were being threatened.”

We discussed practical steps: lockdown protocols, trained security teams, and even off-duty police presence. At my church, First Baptist Fernandina, we’ve implemented these measures, including armed and unarmed security, to prepare for worst-case scenarios—whether protests, power outages, or active threats.

Legally, this crosses lines. The protesters’ actions amount to trespassing on private property and potentially violate the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), originally designed to protect houses of worship from intimidation—ironically, a law rooted in protecting African-American churches from Klan violence during Reconstruction. Attorney General Pam Bondi has hinted at invoking it here.

On the SBC front, leaders like Kevin Ezell (North American Mission Board) and Danny Akin have spoken out strongly: “To violate the sanctity of worship service in this way is shocking and beyond unacceptable.” It’s encouraging to see this boldness, especially after past hesitations on cultural issues. However, as Adam pointed out, true progress requires repentance for previous capitulations to “woke ideology” and a return to unapologetic conservatism.

This incident highlights the tension between protest rights and religious freedom. Protesting is a cornerstone of democracy, but invading a worship service is an “evil act,” as Adam put it, that undermines constitutional protections. It could backfire on the protesters: I predict City’s Church will be “packed to the rafters” this Sunday, with support pouring in from fellow believers.

For pastors and church leaders, it’s a reminder to balance feeding the sheep with protecting them. As Jesus taught, sometimes you carry a sword; other times, you don’t. But in all cases, our ultimate hope isn’t in protocols or politics—it’s in Christ’s return, when “the government will be on his shoulders.”

If you’re concerned about church security, immigration policies, or the direction of the SBC, I encourage you to dive deeper. Watch the full conversation with Adam Page on Code Red at CodeRedTalk.com.

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced similar disruptions in your community? Share in the comments below, and if this resonates, subscribe for more insights on faith, culture, and current events.