Claiming to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, protestors interrupted Sunday’s main service at a Southern Baptist church in St. Paul, Minnesota, to object to the church staff member who also heads the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.
David Easterwood, acting field office director of the Enforcement and Removal Operations office of ICE in St. Paul, is also a pastor/elder at Cities Church in east St. Paul.
Led down the aisles by local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, some three dozen protestors, walked up to the pulpit shouting “ICE out!” during the 10:30 a.m. service, according to Politico. Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell, who was beginning his sermon when the protest started, was unable to eject the protestors and ended the service.
Some of the protestors said they viewed themselves as emulating Jesus’ actions when he expelled the moneychangers and merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem.
“Just like Jesus did, we went into that church and flipped tables. Peacefully,” said Dawoke Farmer, one of the activists who posted a video of the events on Reddit.
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you can elect to receive “Primal Fire: Reigniting the Church with the Five Gifts of Jesus” by Neil Cole, click here.
Leaders at Cities Church saw things differently.
“This is unacceptable. It’s shameful,” Parnell told ex-CNN host Don Lemon in a livestream from Lemon’s YouTube page. Parnell did not immediately respond when The Roys Report asked for comment on the disruption. It’s unclear whether Easterwood was at the service.
Armstrong told Lemon she saw the protest as a way to demand justice and inform churchgoers who were not aware of the church’s connection to ICE. At least one churchgoer said he had not heard about Easterwood’s ties with ICE.
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything that’s going on in the Twin Cities right now, but I don’t think it’s good to fight fire with fire,” the man told Lemon in the livestream. “How would you feel if I went into your house and started yelling?”
Hundreds of ICE agents have detained thousands of people in Minnesota over the last few weeks, including immigrants with legal status and U.S. citizens. Almost three-quarters of ICE detainees across the U.S. have no criminal convictions.
The agency is facing lawsuits and protests over its use of force during its operations in the Minneapolis area. An agent shot and killed a woman, Renee Good, early this month and tear-gassed a 6-month-old infant last week, among other incidents.
A federal judge last week barred ICE agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters. In defending ICE’s actions to the judge, the government relied heavily on a declaration from Easterwood, who was not present at the incidents spurring the lawsuit.
Easterwood’s role puts him in charge of enforcement in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Nebraska, he said on C-SPAN in October. He has worked for ICE since 2015, he wrote in the sworn declaration, starting as a deportation officer. He became assistant field office director in 2022, then rose to deputy field office director last April before becoming the acting director in October.
At Cities Church, Easterwood has occasionally filled the pulpit or provided devotional videos on the church’s Facebook page since at least 2016. Bethlehem Baptist, a Minneapolis congregation pastored by Reformed Baptist theologian John Piper, planted Cities Church in January 2015. Parnell, the lead pastor at Cities Church, is also a trustee at Bethlehem College and Seminary. The seminary did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kevin Ezell of the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board decried protesters’ disruption and thanked the federal government for looking into the incident. Southeastern Baptist Seminary President Danny Akin also called people to pray for the church and youth in attendance there during the protest, and for the church’s community, “that the hope of the Gospel would shine even more clearly.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced a federal civil rights investigation into the disruption, looking at the protestors’ possible violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances & Places of Religious Worship (FACE) Act. The FACE Act prohibits using force to injure or prevent someone from entering a reproductive health clinic or a place of worship.
Federal officials most recently invoked it in a lawsuit alleging a violent mob kept people out of a California synagogue. Most other cases have involved protesters blocking entrances to abortion clinics.
Numerous instances of protesters disrupting Protestant and Catholic church services have been reported in the last several years. Conservative protesters interrupted services for at least four liberal Protestant churches in Florida several times from November 2024 until March 2025, WFTV Channel 9 reported. Pro-Palestinian protestors disrupted Mass at Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on March 31, 2024.
Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Saskatchewan, Canada.
English 
Spanish
101 Responses
“Some of the protestors said they viewed themselves as emulating Jesus’ actions when he expelled the moneychangers and merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem.”
Sorry, guys. You acted for Satan, not Jesus. Jesus stood for the law and consistently told those he encountered to “go and sin no more.”
If someone is in our nation illegally, that person (or persons) is breaking the law, something Jesus frowned upon. It’s called SIN.
Common sense would dictate it is not wise to interrupt a church service. Those who did so will likely face charges.
But which law advocated by Jesus did the protesters violate?
Unfortunately, the spineless republican leaders in charge will do nothing. They are cowards.
Jesus’ greatest two commandments were to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. God comes before government and so does your neighbor. Man does not rule.
Jesus interrupted a temple and flipped tables. I hope a dialogue was started, because I think it’s an incredibly important question- What is the church a den of now?
Do we really think Jesus would turn away an immigrant?
Blake Fisher,
Jesus requires perfection from us. God is a Holy God, yet his mercy extends to us through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus would NEVER -repeat – NEVER advocate people cross the borders of a sovereign nation illegally. Re-read how the land was to be protected in the Old Testament. Re-read how God commanded people to keep boundary stones in their place.
Re-read how Jesus told one and all he came to fulfill the law, not break it.
The God of the Old Testament and Jesus are ONE and the SAME. To love God means to follow all laws that do not contradict Biblical ones. To love God means loving people while keeping the law. We can do both at the same time.
You said.
“Jesus would NEVER -repeat – NEVER advocate people cross the borders of a sovereign nation illegally.”
So what proof do you have within the Gospels that Jesus would never advocate this? The concept of borders within the times of the New Testament are different than the way they are now.
Very interesting comments you make. I think you are confusing God’s law, and the law of a country that is made by man. Jesus fulfilled GOD’S law, but he sometimes broke the extra laws the Pharisees and others had created that went beyond what God had said.
Also, really interested to hear your thoughts on Jesus’s disciples picking corn on the sabbath and Jesus defending David and his men eating bread that according to God’s law they weren’t allowed to eat.
I wonder what you think about that? And also wonder what you think about Jesus saying ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice’? What about times when compassion and mercy were more important to God than the law itself?
Also, the present of the United States is the descendent of a German (Bavarian to be precise) man, Friedrich Trumpf, who entered the country illegally – he was not given permission to leave his country to go to the US as he had not served his two years mandatory military service. Would you therefore also believe that Donald Trump should not be allowed to be in the country as a descendent of an illegal immigrant?
Tom Repton:
God requires perfection from us. He is a HOLY GOD, not a milquetoast one. If you doubt this, re-read how he responded to sin in the Old Testament.
Jesus and God are ONE AND THE SAME. Sin has no place in the lives of Christians. This means we follow all laws that do not contradict Biblical ones.
President Trump is not responsible for the sins of his ancestors, nor are we responsible for the sins of those who came before us.
Regarding eating bread on the Sabbath, Jesus told them HE was lord of the sabbath. Stated differently, the “laws” you are referring to applied to the Jewish nation. Jesus upheld all BIBLICAL laws, not the ones created by the Pharisees. Often, those “laws” actually contradicted Biblical law.
For one example, you can compare what the Pharisees said about providing for one’s parents and what the Bible teaches about honoring one’s parents. The Pharisees’ “rules” actually contradicted Biblical ones.
It is illegal to cross a sovereign nation’s borders without proper vetting, etc. If you do so, you are breaking the law. We are to follow the laws that do not contradict Biblical ones. Period.
“President Trump is not responsible for the sins of his ancestors, nor are we responsible for the sins of those who came before us.”
So you also apply this to the children of those who immigrated here illegally, correct?
Marin:
Your words: “So you also apply this to the children of those who immigrated here illegally, correct?”
Absolutely. How can a little child contradict or object to the actions of his/her parents?
The problem is, even though the children of those who immigrated here illegally are not responsible for their parents’ actions, they are definitely responsible for their own. In addition, they will likely bear the consequences of their parents’ illegal actions. Very sad.
Where does Jesus teach about following the nation’s laws?
Jesus refers constantly to the Torah’s laws. Many seem to have forgotten Leviticus 19:33-34. He says that the focus of the law is justice and mercy and faith.
To be a follower of Jesus, we must heed his comments about abuse of power and lack of mercy. He warns of the rich man who could help Lazarus and over and over denied him help. That’s a clear warning that whatever you do to the least of these among you…
Romans 13
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Kevin:
Your words:
“To be a follower of Jesus, we must heed his comments about abuse of power and lack of mercy. He warns of the rich man who could help Lazarus and over and over denied him help. That’s a clear warning that whatever you do to the least of these among you…”
In what way does protecting the borders of a sovereign nation equate to “abuse of power” and “lack of mercy”?
There are legal ways to enter a nation. Entering illegally shows incredible disrespect for the laws of that nation.
“Jesus taught followers to honor earthly authority, famously saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21), implying payment of taxes and respect for governance, while also emphasizing fulfilling God’s law, especially loving God and neighbor, and later apostles confirmed Christians should obey governing authorities as established by God, unless it directly conflicts with God’s commands, prioritizing God when necessary (Acts 5:29). ” AI Overview
Jesus doesn’t state that following a nations’ laws is morally good. Matthew 22:21 is reframing the central question of morality to G*d’s law rather than Caesar. It’s limiting Caesar’s earthly authority and elevating the law of G*d, even in a G*dless state. That’s why, in Acts 5:29, they say “We must obey God rather than any human authority…”
Kevin:
All Truth is God’s Truth. The only time we stop obeying the laws of a nation is when those laws contradict Biblical law.
Can you explain why you think protecting a sovereign border is somehow illegal or contradicts God’s law?
God is a HUGE supporter of private property. He does not countenance theft.
Cynthia, I’m curious your stance on enforcing immigration law while at the same time violating due process, laws regarding illegal search/seizure and giving blanket immunity to officials to act with brutality. Please explain to all of us how you justify the upholding of one set of laws by breaking another set of laws?
Please tell me your thoughts on Romans 13
There’s some ambiguity to it that I think we tend to ignore in evangelical/Calvinist traditions.
Pre-Constantine it was read conditionally. That is, when rulers leaders are good this is how authority works.
Post-Constantine read it absolutely. That is, all leaders are ordained by G*d.
The absolute reading contradicts Paul’s own actions. Even moreso it contradicts Jesus’ actions.
Expanding, the word Paul uses in 13:4 for leaders is the same as Deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8 (διάκονος). He isn’t using king, emperor, or anything like it. He is explicitly choosing a word that subordinates the leader in a conditional way. That is, the power of the leader is accountable not sacred.
Then he concludes with Romans 13:7. We are told to respect those who merit respect, and honor those that merit honor. We are not told to unconditionally respect or honor.
To bring back 1 Timothy 3, we should respect and honor those διάκονος are serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money, etc. If they are not, we do what we must, pay taxes and revenue. However, the law of earthly leaders is always subordinate to G*d’s law.
You are right. Not sure how democrats think interrupting church services and protecting criminals will gain wider support.
Do we have proof these people are Democrats? I just saw a bunch of extremists – which usually means they take stances and actions that too far for any political party.
Look up the organizers… one ran for mayor as a democrat. The other is a school board member that ran and was endorsed by the democrats. Did you ASSUME they were libertarians?
Some of the detainees have no convictions? But they are under charges for illegal entry into the U.S.? Sounds like an important distinction to make. Every person that enters another country without permission is breaking the law, ergo they are CRIMINALS. If they bring children with them, they are negligent parents. Many times they work with cartels to smuggle them into the country.
Also, many of the “protesters” are violent and assault random people for no reason. Some of them even shoot at ICE officers.
If Julie or anyone is supporting the rioters, shame on them.
So they are rioters now? Oh, and we are tossing out “innocent until proven guilty” as well, it seems. You lack basic human decency if you want to dismiss and dehumanize every person in this country without documentation as some sort of hardened criminal. I have pastored churches with many undocumented people, and I can tell you that almost without exception, they are some of the most faithful, kindhearted people I have had the honor of serving. I wish I was one-tenth of the followers of Jesus that they are. Our immigration system is beset with all sorts of problems, and needs reform. But can we solve this without punishing people who did nothing more than do what seemed to be the best way of saving their families and themselves. The cruelty of what is happening leads me to believe that it is largely animated by racism rather than a desire for justice.
Thomas Mitchell Getchell-Lacey,
I don’t like Trump one bit, but I don’t see MAGAs getting in the face of cops, National Guard and ICE, screaming into bullhorns, assaulting them, blocking roads with their cars etc. Isn’t this “insurrection” by YOUR definition?
Many of Trump’s avid followers did assault Capitol Police officers on Jan 6. They were even beating them with “Blue Live Matter” flags.
I guess you didn’t watch what happened on Jan. 6.
Thomas:
Following the laws of a sovereign nation can be done by one and all. Period. God requires perfection from us. We cannot attain it, so Jesus came to help us.
The God of the Old Testament and Jesus are one and the same. As a pastor, you should know this.
The law is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. Stated differently, using the “faithful, kindhearted people” argument does not alter the laws of the USA. They apply equally to “good” people and criminals.
Many of the people being caught by ICE were following the law in reporting to the Federal Building to check-in as the law required while their status is being processing/determined. How would you like it if a cop pulled you over and arrested you for driving on a suspended license while you are on way to a hearing to determine if that suspension is be adjudicated. But I guess it easier much easier for the ICE goons to make their quota that way than actually going after those who actual commit crimes like murder or assault. You may want to add a little salt, it improves the taste of the boot leather on the palate.
Charles Mallet,
I see and understand where you’re coming from. Your example is interesting, but it does not alter our immigration laws one iota. The laws apply to everyone, both the “good” and the “criminal.” The law is no respecter of persons.
It is quite sad that somebody somewhere communicated to others they could simply cross the borders of our sovereign nation without any negative consequences. How in the world did they get that message?
You do understand that under immigration law, the examples I mentioned were following the law. That is my whole point. These folks did arrive illegally or were visa overstays etc, BUT they filed other paperwork (as is allowed under the law) to determine final status and removal. While that is being adjudicated and determined, they were following the law and the immigration judges instructions to check-in regularly. They were following the law as instructed by the immigration judge in this case.
But it is quite obvious that the MAGA/ICE/Trump party line of them focusing and going after the worst criminals is a lie. The way they (and their allies) spin it is that these brave ICE agents are going after all the illegals who rape and murder and those dastardly leftists are preventing that. When in reality, the vast majority of those apprehended have not been these types of criminals.
Based upon ICE’s efforts and an examination of the types of illegals apprehended, it is pretty obvious that Trump and the ICE thugs only care about the meeting the quote of 3,000 a day, and it doesn’t matter how many US citizens they detain, what parts of the Constitution they violate, how many people with the wrong ethnicity they harass, and so on. But then I expect nothing less from a butch of thugs, cowards, and bullies hired not for competence by total loyalty to the ICE Barbie puppy killer and the Orange Dear Leader. Only a bunch of cowards and criminals would hide behind masks. God help these cosplayers if they actually go after the real violent criminals.
As for the 2nd comment, it is not something I said and it is not germane to the point I made.
Try better next time.
Charles is perpetuating a lie. Those targeted have ignored the court – and have removal orders dating back years. Have you heard of a child molester, murderer, thief, or others charged with felonies driving to ICE to turn themselves in?
“It is quite sad that somebody somewhere communicated to others they could simply cross the borders of our sovereign nation without any negative consequences. How in the world did they get that message?”
The message was sent moreso by actions than words. MANY entered this nation illegally (or overstayed their visas) for DECADES only to have NO consequences – or to be shown grace because they were from the “right” places (read some of the biased immigration policies, writings, and speeches dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries). Even the ancestor of our POTUS came here illegally. Problem is, the folks from the “wrong” places saw what was happening and started coming and expecting the same grace, and NOW we want to cry foul.
This is a mess of our own making that has snowballed for DECADES. The sad part is there isn’t a way out of it without being unfair to some.
That is not true. Many are following the proper procedures to stay and Trump’s is arresting and deporting them at their Green Card meetings. Trump’s agents are breaking the law by entering homes, shooting to kill, kidnapping citizens and generally brutalizing people. Trump claims he is doing all this to make America safer, but his actions are making the political atmosphere worse. The outright murder of Good, should cause all followers of LORD JESUS to be shocked that Trump is escalating these actions that every Citizen a target. As to immigrants: read your bible about what it says about being gracious and hospitable towards foreigners in our land. There is no gray area there! It is shocking to see how many CRINOS think that what Trump is doing is Christian.
Jon Sands:
The Bible tells us clearly to FOLLOW THE LAW. We can follow the law at the same time that we care for those who need care. That is why those being rounded up by ICE get meals (at Americans’ expense), shelter (at Americans’ expense), healthcare (at Americans’ expense) and transportation (at Americans’ expense). Further, your statement that Renee Good was “murdered” is silly. ICE agents have a legal right to protect themselves from…you know, things like moving vehicles.
Stop lying about ICE. It makes you appear ignorant. President Trump is following the law.
By the way, did you know that murder rates in the USA are down significantly?
The Bible tells us to follow God’s law. You keep conflating that with man made laws. Your message is the same logic used in southern churches to condemn civil rights protestors, because “segregation is the law and does not stop anyone from worshipping God.”
We are watching ICE use children as bait. We are hearing lies from the WH about focusing on “rounding up the most evil”, while watching ICE burst into schools to round up teachers and parents picking up their kids. We hear the focus is on those here illegally, yet we see folks at green card meetings (following the law) getting rounded up WITHOUT DUE PROCESS (that’s against the Constitution). And you make detention centers sound like hotels; wanna go check one out?
Renee Good did not deserve to be shot in the face (there are PLENTY of other ways to de-escalate). She also didn’t deserve to be described with expletives (that you can hear) afterwards.
Alex Pretti did not deserve to be shot REPEATEDLY in the back while already on the ground, with proof that he had his CELL PHONE in his hand.
But again, we saw this sort of violence condoned during the civil rights era. Go read some southern newspapers from the 60s. We still haven’t learned the lesson and continue to defend misuse of force. ICE agents are humans too: they are NOT infallible, and they can make mistakes in a matter of seconds that cause someone to lose their life PERMANENTLY. When that happens we are to CALL IT OUT, not defend it because they wear a uniform.
I pray for Minneapolis – and our nation – because I fear the worst bloodshed is yet to come…because we are ok with it.
“Stop lying about ICE. It makes you appear ignorant. President Trump is following the law.”
Trump has never followed the law in his life. He doesn’t respect it. He’s a crook. And a pedophile. And a rapist.
ICE lies constantly.
When they shot a woman in Chicago 5 times, they said she crashed into them and waved a gun. In fact they crashed into her, and she didn’t wave a gun. Her (legal) gun wasn’t even seen until after she was shot. It was on the floor of her vehicle. She never brandished it.
ICE lied about the incident. Lied about the woman. Removed evidence from the scene (the car that hit her car was moved to Maine).
They lied about Alex Pretti, saying he waved a gun, saying he was determined to shoot people. In fact he never touched his gun, which was holstered.
You’re being deceived by your information sources.
It does seem like an apt parallel- when leaders use God’s name for injustice some tables need to get flipped.
The tables got flipped over religious leaders doing economic business over worship. You are comparing apples to oranges.
ICE is abducting people, flying them to Texas, and putting them in for-profit prisons.
There is absolutely and economic component to this “pastor”s other job. And he’s been given authority in the church.
Please do give us the examples of your accusations, because you are on a crazy slippery slope. These protesters had no respect for a church service and caused distress to young kids just trying to go to church. I wonder where you will be when they come after your church just because you are a Christian and not some other political issue.
The ICE agents have no respect for the rule of law and actually KIDNAP young kids- distressing the people in the church was a point. disrupting them was the point- because ICE has kidnapped people on their way to church, and in church parking lots.
Protestors won’t come to my church, because we don’t employ ICE agents- and if we WERE complict in abducting people, I’d join the protest.
ICE also used a young child as bait, and have been bursting into schools rounding up teachers (you know, “the most evil”) and parents dropping off their kids. You don’t think that caused distress to those young kids just trying to go to school?
Oh, let me guess…THOSE kids “deserve” it.
Whew, Lord, come quickly.
A lie. The father abandoned his son. This did not occur at a school.
I did not say that particular incident happened at a school.
I AM saying that we are watching ICE burst into schools TOO (it happened in Chicago, where they hauled away a grade school teacher in front of horrified children).
So I stand by my statement. Those children do NOT deserve to be traumatized by that. Do you agree?
This article seemed to try and justify this awful disruption of a church service than to condemn it. It isn’t liberal or conservative to think this is just plain awful. People who work at ICE can be Christians and work/volunteer at a church without it causing vile protests. Church is not the place for protests and never will be no matter which side of the political aisle you are on.
I agree with you. Disgraceful behavior interrupting a church service
Disgraceful behavior disrupting the Temple. How dare Jesus.
David Eastwood is a lying, deceitful person who deserves to be in prison, much less a leader in a church. Then what do expect from a Calvinista church spawned by John Piper. I guess Eastwood is OK with pepper spraying and shooting uppity women, because the man is the head of the household and women should not have jobs according to John Piper.
Charles Mallet,
I’ll consider your opinion when you go on record as saying it’s okay for Christian truth-seekers like Daleiden to storm Planned Parenthood or right-wing influencers to storm mosques with pro-Hamas/Iran imams. Deal?
I agree that disrupting religious services or gatherings is bad. I also strongly condemn the Christian fundamentalist protestors who interrupted the Buddhist monks’ peace walk and tried to shout them so they couldn’t address the crowds as well. I would object to interrupting a synagogue, mosque, or gurdwara’s service as well. Crashing religious services is some Westboro Baptist Church stuff.
Just as soon as churches start doing medical procedures. Not really a good idea to disrupt those. And they aren’t all abortions at Planned Parenthood.
It does not justify terrifying church goers including young kids. I am not sure how you get to that point of justifying that behavior without dealing with some political hate in your heart that is skewing your common sense.
Thank you for being the voice of reason and logic in the midst of this discussion. I thought about responding to the article but became too bewildered when I began racking up up the bad theology and improper use/application of Scripture in the comments. Thanks again, for being the, what used to be called “common” sense in this conversation. It’s no longer common. Good sense, however does still exist.
Specifically to Ms. Einselen, reporting the protest at Cities Church. Please stay close to this story. I am a SBC pastor with a small rural congregation ministering to 5 different races in Mississippi. SBC leaders in this region try to silence us at every turn and they vehemently oppose me personally. This incident has eroded our efforts at promoting love, justice and provision to those in the greatest need including targets of ICE. Please continue to follow this story. Thank you and may God bless.
Argument all round here. That said, interesting that some are very troubled by a church service/worship gathering in the US being disrupted with questions about the law & morality. Yet successive US goverments & US foreign policies have all been about creating chaos, disunity and civil wars – guns, bombs, deaths etc – in other nations that too are dominated by places of worship including Christian churches. Any credible library will tell us that. One wonders how many faith gatherings have been “disrupted” in these countries & communities over the last 80yrs? 🤔
Talk about exceptionalism thinking & living in a bubble while having one’s corn flakes. 🤔
The way I and many others read the story of Jesus’ flipping over the tables, it was done because the money changers were victimizing the poor and the vulnerable. In that case, injustice and injury were being tolerated at the expense of “peace and order.” I’m not completely sure how I feel about these protesters disrupting this service, but it certainly seems like a case can be made that it was justifiable. I also know we American Christians highly value our comfort and order, sometimes more than we should, and that all too often comfort for one group means suffering for another.
Thomas,
Jesus did not want thieves profiting while inside his Father’s House. It is a holy place, not a place for riots and screaming into the faces of children there with their families.
So, “flipping the tables” was a clear sign of disgust with those who disrespected the House of God.
So, I suppose in that sense, it is an apt comparison: Jesus wants respect in His House. The “rioters” were there in Satan’s service.
So, “flipping the tables” was a clear sign of disgust with those who disrespected the House of God.
Agree. And some find it direspectful to the House of God to go through external rituals and ceremonies (sitting in church pews) while having hearts far from him (willful sins, ignoring those in need scripture calls us to help). Don’t get me wrong, I do NOT condone that sort of disruption, yet I understand its intent (to be jarring, and it was successfully so) and why people have questions of Christians who appear to be doing little more than going through religious rites in an environment that needs us to show up more than ever. (Note: we DON’T know what those people could be doing outside of Sunday service, hence why I said “appear to be”).
BTW, “rioters” is overdramatic (I know conservatives love generously throwing that word around towards those on the left, while calling the actual Jan 6th rioters “tourists”). They were definitely and intentionally disruptive and disrespectful, but they were not rioting.
Off Topic….
So what are your academic credentials? I ask since you have a ‘Dr.’ before your name.
I assume you have a PhD but in what area of study and from what institution?
I am concerned that today’s Christians would have turned in those hiding Anne Frank for ‘breaking the law.”
Protestors were not attacking freedom of worship, they were calling out ICE cruelty.
Jesus flipped tables when religion became a front for injustice.
Darren McHarg,
It’s your political tribe that’s constantly agitating for Gaza… so don’t try the old “Anne Frank” line on us.
And there is the divisive language: “tribe” and “us” (vs “you”).
We’ve got to stop this among ourselves as believers. We should not be reflecting the world’s division, but setting an example for how it can be overcome thru unity at the foot of the cross.
Darren McHarg:
What law in the Bible says it is okay to harm the Jews? What law in the Bible says it is okay to ignore the immigration laws of a sovereign nation?
When you find the verses, let me know. I am very curious.
We are to follow and respect the laws of sovereign nations IF THEY DO NOT CONTRADICT BIBLICAL LAW.
Turning in Ann Frank’s protectors would definitely contradict Biblical laws and principles. Indeed, the entire Nazi enterprise was Satanic and anti-Biblical. When that is the case, we follow the higher laws of God.
Julie, are you seriously trying to sympathize with people disrupting a church service? Nothing is sacred anymore to you? There is a time and place for protesting, and a church service is not one of them. Full stop.
We are reporting, neither sympathizing nor condemning.
You accuse me of standing up for people standing up for vulnerable targets of masked, cruel, heavily armed and dangerous men who just murdered a mother of three and drug an old man out in the frigid cold in his underwear and a blanket thrown over his shoulders? How dare you. You know I never back victims that don’t fit the victim turned saintly survivor in three easy steps. Those that don’t just don’t make good copy.
Do you have any idea how cold and callous you sound?
Perhaps I’m missing something. I don’t see where I accuse you of anything. Did you intend this comment for me?
Julie Roys,
I remember you being quite angry when churchgoers protested COVID restrictions on worship. For many months in 2020-2021, such stories were a leading feature of TRR. Roberto Lorenzi is completely right to question your laissez-faire attitude on this insurrection.
No, I wasn’t “quite angry” or angry at all. We reported on Covid stories that impacted churches because they were relevant to our followers. We will do the same regarding ICE.
Come on, “insurrection?”
I agree with you that interrupting the service was unacceptable, but it was not an armed attempt to overthrow the government of the country. Words have meanings, and calling this an “insurrection” is a hysterical overstatement that undermines your position.
Things can be bad, unacceptable, distasteful, without being the worst possible thing.
I am a pastor and a former police officer. I think many in our nation need a basic civic’s lesson. The legislative branch writes the law and the executive branch enforces the law. These men and women are merely enforcing the law. I am all for immigrants coming to our country. They must enter the country according to the law. This is really a very simple matter that has been politicized. It is a shame for men and women to disrupt a church service. It was a most cowardly act. It solved nothing.
Deportations have been taking place for years, even under the Obama and Biden administrations. The only difference is that Trump has transformed this into a very widespread event where citizens have been detained. He has also turned it into a spectacle that feeds into the hearts of those that dislike foreigners and he is supporting the idea they are responsible for our nations economic woes and widespread crime.
We need leaders who inspire good, not those who commit and insight evil – without fail.
We have always had immigrants, and we have always expelled illegal immigrants, quietly, with humanity, decency, and order, according to our laws. We have never displayed such cruelty, brute force, ineptness, abuse, and lawlessness. In the past, we have had “men and women … merely enforcing the law”. Today, we have ruthless bounty hunters.
We need lessons on empathy. We need to be assumed we are “Christians because it is obvious that we have been with Christ,” by our Christlikeness, because we have the mind of Christ. Our positions shouldn’t be to the contrary.
I appreciate pastors and law enforcement. I would hope either, or both, would agree that these tactics are clearly wrong, provoking, and do more harm than good.
The Bible speaks of “being strong and courageous.’” We need people with the courage to say something is wrong – and attempt to bring about correction.
Disrupting a church service may not be wise, but “Always” demonstrating your callousness, your partiality, isn’t in any way holy either.
“They’ve all become experts in evil. Corrupt leaders demand bribes. The powerful rich make sure they get what they want.”
It sounds ripped from the headlines, rather than Micah 7:3
Thank you, Pastor Brooks, for your service and much-needed civic lesson.
I have no problem with enforcing the law. I DO have a problem with enforcing it in a way that profiles, insults and robs others of human dignity. When I’m standing with a group of white colleagues waiting for a ride share, pulling me out and demanding to see my ID and shouting questions about “where am I from, you don’t look like you’re from here” is profiling and belittling me based on my skin color. (The irony? I am American, while my white colleagues are CANADIAN, and yes, they were shocked they weren’t asked to show their ID).
People are conflating having a problem with the WAY the law is being enforced (I won’t even get into how due process is being denied to many) with not wanting it enforced at all. It’s extremist.
We need a lot of things, Chris Brooks.
We especially need law enforcement officers and pastors to say tactics like dragging a disabled woman out of her car and forcing her to the ground, or repeatedly kneeing a man in his head while he is pinned down by multiple officers, or permanently blinding two young people, is not “merely enforcing the law,” it is “breaking” the law.
Storming the church was wrong. Shooting a woman several times, once in the in the head, is the very definition of “cowardice”. You, of all people, know how easy it would be to simply issue a warrant for her arrest.
As a pastor, you know one can stir up anger or calm a quarrel. I hope you believe self-control is required for one in authority.
In the end, we will be seen as caring, or as callous. Who would want to know about a callous God?
Jesus, who was without sin; entered his Father’s house and overturned the money lenders tables and told them that this was a house of prayer, not a robbers den.
The mob who disrupted the church service should be ashamed at the very least, and prosecuted at best.
It was fair to report in this story that conservatives too have interrupted church services. Having said that it’s best to keep all protests outside of targeted establishments rather inside.
It was a disruption but nothing compared with the rioters that stormed the Capitol on Jan 6. Those people too would have been better off keeping it outside.
Please give us the name, location and date when “Conservatives too have interrupted church services”. January 6 was many things, but a church service it was not.
Here is a link to a story
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/church-worship-services-disrupted-by-protesters-prompting-security-concerns/XWFGYVO52VDKHOWIHJZ74D3J7U/
I am a grandma and I can tell you I have seen about a half dozen times at conservative churches parishioners interrupting services. I remember when Billy Graham grandson, Tullian Tchividjian has just become pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale in 2009. The choir sat in the front of the church on the stage. While Pastor Tchividjian would be preaching some of the choir members would get up and leave and make a point that they were not happy that this new pastor was going to make changes with adding new styles of music.
Stop letting your social justice and left wing politics blind you to what the Bible teaches about submission to government. You sound dangerously close to some that I am sure you opposed a few years ago on January 6th in Washington DC.
Read Romans 13:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
If early Christians obeyed Roman law there would be no Christians today.
“Stop letting your social justice and left wing politics blind you to what the Bible teaches about submission to government.”
Same excuse used to denigrate civil rights protesters who didn’t “submit” to segregation and Jim Crow laws.
When are we going to learn the lesson?
A Christian has more in common with an immigrant than a nationalist. We as Christians are aliens in the world, set apart. We demonstrate allegiance only to God’s kingdom, and are fully regulated by the law of love. Love is required of us, first and foremost.
Why is promoting legal immigration and following the laws considered to be “nationalist”?
Because it’s selective. Promote legal immigration and demand fair policies for all.
I’m still waiting to see Canadians (who often overstay their visas; I know MANY who have and just shrug it off knowing they will never be caught), immigrants that make up communities like Ukrainian Village (who often bring over family members illegally), and international students (many from Asia and Europe overstay their visas too) get pulled out of vehicles, schools, and businesses by ICE.
Oh, but they don’t “LOOK” or “SOUND” illegal. (Remember the video of ICE admitting they stopped a Black man due to his accent?) THAT sort of profiling and selective application is problematic and, quite frankly, should be beneath us as the United States of America.
Emphasis on SHOULD.
Marin Heiskell,
No serious immigration-enforcement advocate says we should look the other way at illegal Canadians and Ukrainians. If they do, they are hypocrites and phonies and should be paid no attention, ever.
ICE tried to detain a black citizen off-duty police officer until she showed her badge.
Fact is they have a quota, and they’ll grab anyone who’s brown to make that quota. They don’t care if the person is a citizen or not.
I guess this qualifies as a “good” use of quotas.
“Why is promoting legal immigration and following the laws considered to be “nationalist”?”
Because Trump is also cancelling the visas and temporary permission to stay for people who did come here legally and have been staying here legally. Because of their race and nationality.
The title of “Christian” was given because it was obvious who Christ followers were -because they were “like“ “Him.”
Anyone harping on “law” without “grace” should explain why Christ came.
Our constitution says it should be “self-evident” that people pursue happiness. Yes, they broke the law. May you never know what it is to be so “desperate.”
We have always deported illegal immigrants. The difference is we did it lawfully, with order, with humanity, with professionalism, without anarchy. Protesting during church service is also taboo.
Talk about “whitewashed tombs.” Harping on the “law” while endorsing behavior that is in violation of God’s laws, and ours.
Anyone endorsing the cruelty, the violence, the chaos, the lawless, would have to self-identify as a Christian, because no one would assume it otherwise.
Debra Howard:
Our Constitution states we are endowed with inalienable rights, one of which is the pursuit of happiness. It also states a self-evident truth is that all men are created equal.
Further, Jesus followed the law to the letter. We should follow his example. He was able to follow the law while still loving people and caring for them. So can we.
Perhaps you are not aware that mostly sanctuary states are experiencing horrible protests against ICE? This is because those states are forcing ICE agents to look for criminals inside the community instead of working with them to locate criminals with the help of local police officers.
I am thankful sexual predators, murderers and child abusers are getting kicked out, aren’t you?
You do understand that under the Constitution, local police do not enforce federal law nor can they compelled to do so at all. It is called separation of powers and it is also something in that pesky thing known as the 10th Amendment. And while you are at, read up on Printz vs. United States and get back to us. Federalism and separate of powers works both ways (whether the Federal Government tried to compel local law enforcement to enforce the Federal Brady Gun laws or Federal Immigration Laws). The Constitution and the separate of powers is more important than TEAM BLUE or TEAM RED favorite villain.
Try better next time.
As for the “pursuit of happiness” statement, you simply agreed with what I said so what is your point?
What Jesus are you following? There are apparently a lot of versions these days. It certainly isn’t the Jesus of the Bible.
“Go and sin no more.” Jesus was seeking repentance – not retribution. That would be Satan.
Your unrelenting focus on “they broke the law” is hateful. You seem to think it is holy. AI? There are many unreal Jesus personas out there, “Dr.”
Yea, the sanctuary cities are also on the “hit list” because they are blue states. I haven’t heard in the news about ICE even being in Texas. Surely, they have plenty of immigration violators. They are also a red state. They must rely on their immigrants.
BTW, the Republican governors of Texas and Oklahoma, are joining other Republicans in calling for an end to the brutality. Kristy Noem, Stephen Miller, Dr. Cynthia … staying the course.
I will be thankful when all sexual predators, murderers and child abusers are dealt with. If you watch ID, or Dateline, or Forensic Files, you will see, overwhelmingly, Americans are committing these horrific crimes.
Some of the January 6 “patriots” whom we all saw “touring” the capitol, have committed crimes against Americans yet again. Their victims must wish they were still “kicked out” of society, rather than “kicked out” of prison. Do you?
Debra Howard:
Your words:
“Our constitution says it should be “self-evident” that people pursue happiness.”
No, actually, our Constitution does not say that. It says that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalieanable rights.
Your words: “No, actually, our Constitution does not say that. It says that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalieanable rights.”
No, actually “constitution” was the wrong document. We’re referring to the “Declaration of Independence,” which in fact says “…with certain unalienable Rights”, that among “these” (unalienable rights) are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
I apologize if I incorrectly said “constitution” first. Forget the document; it was my inartful way of saying, it is a given, common sense, that people will pursue happiness, and certainly seek to have their basic needs met.
Proverbs says it best, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; Give me just enough to meet my needs, for if I’m rich, I might say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I’m poor, I may steal.’’
Your words: “God is a HUGE supporter of private property,“ sounds like a version of, “Who is the Lord?” It sounds like someone with a lot of land, but not much love.
God gave His only begotten son for “people”, not “property”. When people don’t know God, they might even think people without much power are like property, only good as servants, hard laborers and such.
People who truly know God, know that people who risk their very lives, in pursuit of a life, with liberty and happiness, are worthy of our compassion, not our contempt.
Deportations of illegals have taken place long before Trump and even under the Presidencies of Obama and Biden.
The only difference is now it’s something Trump and his supporters celebrate.
I think we all know deportations are nothing knew under this adminstration. The main difference is in HOW it is being done under this administration.
This issue is a very difficult topic to discuss.
Firstly, since our individual beliefs of what actually happened (this time in MN) are often based on a deceptive and false reality. We can’t know for certain what happened (we weren’t there, etc), and if if we think we do, we can easily deceive ourselves with belief in a narrative we are being fed by those in power.
Manipulation of public perception is easy.
Secondly, most Americans are ignorant of how immigration and naturalization actually functioned in the first 100 years of America. Grammatical fraud is a big part of why – for example, most do not understand the significant difference between “people” and “person” and how they related to standing and status. There is a huge difference between citizenship in the United States and citizenship in a State.
A good resource to finding in-depth perspective on this issue can be found in the book available on Amazon:
The Guide to the Most Beautiful Woman in the World: The United States of America: A 2025 Modernization of Army Training Manual 2000-25, which was published in 1928
Written by Attorney Brandon Joe Williams.
“Written by Attorney Brandon Joe Williams.”
He’s not an attorney, he’s a guy who does law-like activity in court and fails. Seems to me he’s a Sovereign citizen pro se crackpot.