’Do you know your parents are Nazis, they’re going to burn in hell?’
I did not want to believe what I was reading. It was an ordinary Sunday morning and then the doors opened. Instead there was the abrupt swing of people who did not come to sit and worship God. Footsteps struck the aisle with purpose as voices rose before anyone had time to stand.
“ICE out.” “Justice for Renée Good.” Whistles pierced the air as the congregants turned in their seats, searching for exits, for ushers, for their children. The service stalled and then fractured.
This happened on January 18, 2026, inside a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Protesters entered the sanctuary itself, not the sidewalk outside, disrupting worship and chanting during the service, according to reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters .
Parents stood and moved toward the aisles. Downstairs, children were in classrooms. According to federal court filings later summarized by wire services, some parents attempted to reach them and were unable to do so immediately as the disruption unfolded . People did not know whether more protesters were coming or whether the shouting would turn physical.
One worshipper later told police that the moment felt like what it might be like during a mass shooting. Others described panic, running, and children crying as people tried to leave .
The protest centered on claims that a pastor at the church also held a leadership role with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstrators said that role justified their actions. Federal authorities disagreed. Within days, the Department of Justice announced arrests and opened a civil-rights investigation into interference with the free exercise of religion, emphasizing that houses of worship receive special legal protection under federal law.
Prosecutors allege that video evidence shows one defendant, identified as William Scott Kelly, shouting inside the sanctuary that the church was “the house of the devil.”
In statements given to authorities, one congregant said roughly fifty worshippers were forced toward the front of the church as the disruption escalated, making it extremely difficult for people to leave. Another worshipper was injured while trying to escape, breaking her arm in the chaos. She later told police that congregants were terrorized and that children were crying throughout the ordeal.
A witness later described an unidentified protester leaning toward a child and hurling words no child should hear, accusing the child’s parents of being “Nazis” and saying they would “burn in hell.” Afterward, one shaken child looked up at a worshipper and said, “Daddy, I thought you were going to die.”
That is what is known. It is enough to make a faithful Christian angry. That is what is documented, now listen to Romans 12.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Paul does not begin with command, but with mercy already given. Eleven chapters of grace press forward before a single imperative lands. Justification received, adoption sealed and the Spirit planted. Glory promised!!! Then comes the call to present your bodies.
Like these bodies sitting in pews and startled awake by shouting. Trying stand instinctively between danger and children. The altar of the new covenant is not built from animals and fire, but from ordinary believers who show up and remain faithful.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The world has a pattern. It believes disruption proves righteousness and that fear persuades.
However, the renewed mind moves differently. It measures action by the mercies of God, not the adrenaline of the moment. It reminds us that worship is not something we put on for effect, that children are to be cared for, and that holiness shows itself when believers hold their ground calmly.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.”
Pride escalates, but humility steadies. When the room filled with shouting, no one paused to argue moral superiority. The instinct was simpler. Where are the children? Where is the exit? Who needs help?
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
A church becomes visible in moments like this as a body. Voices attempt to lower panic. Arms guide the shaken out of the church. No gift demands or seeks attention. Each gift serves.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.”
I saw a pastor/leader speak with calm authority. Cleary his gift.
Paul places church life before private spirituality for a reason. Consecration shows itself first in how believers live together when confronted with extreme opposition.
“Let love be without dissimulation.”
Love holds its shape under strain.
“Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
Evil frightens children during worship and blocks the path of parents. Evil turned this church service into a battleground. Good stands firm without becoming what it resists.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
In that moment, age, status, and opinion collapsed. The room became family.
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Fervor does not scream. It acts and it stays present.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
Hope lifts the eyes beyond the aisle and the chaos. Patience slows the breath towards prayer. If you watch the video there are people praying for the protestors.
“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Afterward, doors reopened this Sunday. The church remembered how to be shelter.
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
This does not excuse harm. It entrusts judgment to God. It refuses to surrender the soul to bitterness.
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
Tears fell freely. No one hurried them away.
“Be of the same mind one toward another.”
Unity became oxygen during the service and after.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil.”
Retaliation promised release and delivered poison. Remember saints, Paul bars the door!
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Peace does not mean surrender. It means refusal to let chaos dictate character.
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.”
God keeps His prerogatives.
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.”
Kindness exposes conscience. It burns without destroying.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
That sentence stands like a guard at the sanctuary door.
The invasion revealed what Romans 12 has always demanded. That living sacrifice costs something. It costs comfort and it sometimes costs safety.
The calling remains to present your bodies. Not as weapons, as living sacrifices. And in doing so, prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
John 15:18-21 come to mind. What’s been a reality for Christians in other countries for decades if not centuries is now becoming a reality for us. May we have the grace to remain firm in our faith just as they have.
Amen to the comment made by Mr. Matthias. Jesus told us that we would be hated and persecuted for the Gospel. May we remain firm in our faith and exhibit the love of God to those who hate Him, and us. May we pray for our enemies and may we continue to worship in the House of God without fear. No matter what happens to us, it is a win win situation, for to live is Christ and to die is gain. May we remain faithful until we are absent from the body and present with the Lord.
Well said!