Caleb Phillips, a young man deeply involved with Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, described a disturbing pattern of escalating hostility. For the past two Sundays, congregants have faced harassment and jeers as they arrived for services, following a disruptive incident during a service on January 18th.
Phillips views the animosity directed at him and his fellow worshippers not as a personal attack, but as a deeper, spiritual conflict. He draws strength from his faith, recalling scripture that identifies the true battleground as being “not against flesh and blood, but against the spirit.”
Drawn to the church’s strong theological foundation last October, Phillips experienced a jarring intrusion during a recent service. Dozens of protesters stormed the sanctuary, halting worship with shouts and accusations.
The sudden chaos was profoundly unsettling, particularly for the children present. Many began to cry, overwhelmed by the unexpected and frightening scene unfolding around them. The protesters specifically targeted the church for its association with a pastor connected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Phillips recalled the moment as shocking and jarring, comparing the sudden noise to an exploding firework. He emphasized the lasting impact on the children, stating they should never have been exposed to such a display.
Despite the disruption, the congregation demonstrated remarkable resilience. They reconvened later that evening to complete their service, and subsequent Sundays have seen even larger attendance numbers.
However, the external harassment continued. The Sunday following the sanctuary invasion, Phillips’ girlfriend, who is Asian, was subjected to racial slurs and falsely accused of associating with extremist groups as they left the service.
He described the experience of stepping outside the church as entering an “ice bath” – a stark contrast to the peace and joy felt during worship. Despite the hateful words, Phillips felt a sense of pity for the protesters.
Inspired by the response within the church during the initial disruption, Phillips and his girlfriend chose a path of compassion. They offered to pray with some of the less aggressive protesters, extending a gesture of peace and blessing.
They laid hands on the protesters’ shoulders and prayed for peace in the city and for the protesters themselves, acting on the biblical principle of blessing those who curse you. This act of faith, however, did not entirely quell the hostility.
As they walked away, a protester with a megaphone singled out Phillips’ girlfriend, launching into a racially charged tirade, accusing her of betraying her race by associating with “Nazis.”
Phillips admitted to feeling anger in that moment, frustrated that their attempt at blessing had been met with continued hatred. He quickly refocused, reminding himself that the situation was rooted in a spiritual battle, far beyond the individual hurling insults.
Regarding the pastor’s connection to ICE, Phillips stated the church remains steadfast in its support. They refuse to condemn a fellow believer based on the unpopularity of his profession.
The church’s core principle, Phillips explained, is unwavering love – love for their city, their community, and even those who actively oppose them. They are committed to praying for their persecutors, embodying a message of forgiveness and compassion.
