Southern Baptist Leader Vows to Protect Churches After Leftist Mob Invades Worship Service

NAMB President Promises Full Defense as DOJ Investigates Church Violation

The leader of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board has vowed to protect churches from lawless harassment after anti ICE activists barged into Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, disrupting Sunday worship and frightening families. In a statement released Monday, NAMB President Kevin Ezell said the protesters violated the sanctuary by shouting, blowing whistles, and intentionally interrupting ongoing services.

"This group trespassed on public property and willfully obstructed Christian worship. 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," Ezell wrote.

"What occurred was not protest. It was lawless harassment."

Church Leaders Call for Protection of Fundamental Right to Worship

Ezell expressed gratitude that the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has indicated that an investigation is underway to determine whether federal laws were violated when protesters interfered with worship and desecrated this sacred space. He thanked local law enforcement for their swift response while calling on local and state leaders in Minnesota to ensure that order is restored and that egregious events of this nature are not permitted to happen again.

"NAMB will unequivocally stand with and defend our churches," he vowed. "We will do whatever is necessary to protect those who serve faithfully and to uphold the right of churches to worship without fear or interference."

In a statement Tuesday reacting to the disruption, Pastor Jonathan Parnell maintained that protesters accosted members of our congregation, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat. "Such conduct is shameful, unlawful, and will not be tolerated. Invading a church service to disrupt the worship of Jesus, or any other act of worship, is protected by neither the Christian Scriptures nor the laws of this nation."

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

This should be every denomination's response.

Churches are not public forums for political theater.

They're sanctuaries protected by federal law and divine purpose.

When mobs violate that protection, Christian institutions must respond with strength.

Not platitudes about understanding their anger.

Not weakness about bridges and dialogue.

Strength.

Legal action. Security measures. Uncompromising defense of the right to worship Christ.

NAMB set the standard.

Every other denomination should follow.

TAKE ACTION

Support Churches Under Attack: • North American Mission Board: www.namb.net/donate (defends Southern Baptist churches) • Email: contact through website

Church Security: • Sheepdog Church Security: www.sheepdogchurchsecurity.net (trains congregations in defense) • Email: info@sheepdogchurchsecurity.net

Legal Defense: • Alliance Defending Freedom: www.adflegal.org/donate (provides legal protection for churches) • Email: info@adflegal.org | Phone: 1-800-835-5233

What You Can Do Today: • Contact your church leadership demanding security protocols to prevent invasion during worship • Support Cities Church in St. Paul through prayer and financial assistance • Share NAMB's statement defending churches on social media to encourage other denominations • Demand Minnesota officials prosecute every person who violated federal church protection laws • Pray for Christian leaders like Kevin Ezell who refuse to compromise on defending worship rights • Train church security teams to protect congregations from leftist mobs targeting sanctuaries