How JD Greear's Embrace of BLM Set the Stage for the Minneapolis Church Disruption
On January 18, a Sunday worship service at Cities Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota, came to an abrupt halt as dozens of activists entered the sanctuary chanting slogans, confronting church leaders, and accusing one of the pastors of being an ICE agent.
The protest—coordinated by members of local activist groups including Black Lives Matter Minnesota and the Racial Justice Network—targeted lead pastor David Easterwood, alleging that he also serves as a field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The demonstrators timed their disruption for the opening portion of the service, creating tension and confusion as congregants stood, watched, or attempted to engage. Footage posted online captured the group chanting phrases like “ICE out,” “Justice for Renee Good,” and “Hands up, don’t shoot.”
Federal authorities, including the Department of Justice, have since opened an investigation into potential violations of the FACE Act, which protects places of worship from interference and intimidation.
Church leaders have strongly denied any ICE affiliation, calling the claims slanderous. No injuries were reported, but the service was effectively shut down. This event marked a culmination of the long-term impact of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public messaging on race, justice, and activism.
In June 2020, former SBC President JD Greear delivered a message to fellow Southern Baptists urging them to affirm that “Black lives matter,” stating, “Southern Baptists, we need to say it as a gospel issue… Black. Lives. Matter,” arguing that Christians should align with the moral sentiment that underpinned the movement.
At the time, Greear’s remarks were seen by SBC leaders and pastors as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and compassion. Others, however, warned that treating political slogans as theological declarations would create confusion about the church’s identity and purpose.