Cities Church Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell urged Minnesota state leaders and activists who disrupted his church service to “turn from your sin” and trust in Jesus Christ, saying, “He is our only hope.” Speaking on Fox & Friends on Jan. 26, Parnell said he shares heartbreak with some protesters over turmoil in the cities, but emphasized that healing ultimately comes through Christ.
Parnell was preaching from John 13 on Jan. 18 when a group of left-wing agitators, joined by former CNN host Don Lemon, stormed the service to protest Pastor David Easterwood, who also serves as acting director of the ICE St. Paul field office. The protesters shouted at congregants, forced the service to end, and, according to a DHS affidavit, blocked parents from reaching their children, leaving families traumatized. One activist allegedly yelled at children that their parents were “Nazis” who would “burn in Hell.”
Joined by attorney Renee Carlson of True North Legal, Parnell said the chaos in Minnesota and the nation requires repentance and faith in Christ, quoting John 3:16 and calling on the governor, attorney general, and city leaders to repent and be saved. Carlson said the church is prayerfully considering legal options to protect its members and other houses of worship.
Three protesters were charged by the Department of Justice under conspiracy against rights statutes, while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison defended the protesters’ actions as protected speech. Parnell disputed claims that press credentials allowed disruption of worship, and recent court rulings blocked Lemon’s arrest while related legal challenges continue.
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