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Worship and protests: Federal officials investigating protest at Minnesota church

Federal officials are investigating a disruption of worship services at the non-denominational church in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sunday, Jan. 18.
  • January 19, 2026
  • Baptist Press, The Baptist Paper
  • Latest News, Minnesota, National News
(Screenshot/social media)

Worship and protests: Federal officials investigating protest at Minnesota church

It didn’t appear to be what members of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, would describe as a typical Sunday morning of worship. Federal officials are investigating a disruption of worship services at a church Sunday, Jan. 18. Protesters reportedly entered the sanctuary chanting anti-ICE slogans. Noting that intimidation of Christians is unlawful, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly said the Department of Justice will prosecute any federal crimes tied to the incident.

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DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said potential civil rights and FACE Act violations are under review, according to Associated Press. Church members were also confronted in the parking lot after services, according to multiple news reports.

The North American Mission Board confirmed NAMB missionary Jonathan Parnell was leading worship services at Cities Church during the protest, Baptist Press reported.

See related headlines:

Federal investigation underway into Minnesota church protest -Baptist Press

DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt church where Minnesota ICE official is a pastor -Associated Press

DOJ launches civil rights investigation after Minnesota agitators storm church -Fox News

A brazen invasion of Christian worship -World News Group

It Happened in Minnesota: ICE Protestors Invaded an Evangelical Church and Interrupted Worship Yesterday -Al Mohler’s The Briefing podcast

Minnesota protests / National Guard  -The World and Everything in It podcast

Children Terrified as Anti-ICE Mob Storms Minnesota Church to Target Pastor: ‘Despicable’ -CBN

The links above are a sampling of headlines related to the story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from various news reports by The Baptist Paper.

 

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