Faith
Faith Leaders Respond as ICE Raids Shake Church
Faith Facts
- Pastor Victor Martinez warns his church may close due to an 80% drop in attendance after ICE raids in Minneapolis.
- Hispanic Christian leaders, including Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, call for urgent faith community action and compassion for immigrant families.
- Rep. Maria Salazar promotes the Dignity Act to allow most long-time illegal immigrants to stay without citizenship.
The Christian community in Minneapolis faces deep anxiety as federal agents increase enforcement operations, leading to significant drops in church participation.
Pastors such as Victor Martinez speak of trauma and fear among congregants, with some churches transformed into centers for food relief and support.
“This is traumatizing. I’m 40 years old, born in California and for me as a pastor, I am traumatized. Every now and then, I get worried and emotional. I’ve had white Republican suburban pastors call me and just apologize to me so profusely.”
Leaders from the Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, led by Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, urge the body of Christ to reject complacency and answer the call to mercy and practical aid.
“I feel the Holy Spirit now pushing us towards a sense of urgency where apathy is not an option and complacency must be rejected.”
Rep. Maria Salazar addressed the pain and confusion among Hispanic voters, noting a feeling of disappointment in national leadership over harsh deportation policies.
Salazar’s proposed Dignity Act offers a path for those without criminal records to remain in the country under strict requirements, preserving family unity while respecting the rule of law.
Prayer is rising for wisdom and peace, with faith leaders calling out agitators who seek to divide, and seeking to show Christ’s love to all affected.
Faith Facts
- Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell called for leaders and agitators to turn from sin and trust in Christ.
- Protesters disrupted a worship service at Cities Church, leaving families and children traumatized.
- Church leaders are considering legal action to protect their congregation and defend religious freedom.
Pastor Jonathan Parnell of Cities Church in St. Paul challenged Minnesota officials and left-wing activists to repent and believe the Gospel following a recent disruption during worship.
Parnell highlighted the community’s pain and the need for spiritual healing, pointing to Jesus Christ as the only hope for restoration.
“We’re asking for God to send healing, and we believe that healing comes ultimately in Jesus Christ, and so what I preach, what we preach, is that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The church was targeted by activists protesting federal immigration enforcement, resulting in distress among the congregation, particularly children.
Renee Carlson, attorney for Cities Church, emphasized the church’s commitment to protecting religious liberty and ensuring that worship remains safe for all believers.
Authorities charged several protesters with conspiracy against rights, while Minnesota’s attorney general defended the protesters’ actions as protected speech.
Pastor Parnell reminded all involved that true hope and deliverance come only through turning to Jesus and embracing biblical truth.
Stand strong for faith, family, and freedom—pray for healing, protection, and courage for our churches as they face spiritual and cultural battles across America.
Faith Facts
- Catholic identification has declined across six major Latin American countries, as growing numbers identify as unaffiliated.
- Despite these shifts, belief in God and personal religious practice remain widespread throughout the region.
- Protestant presence is steady, while the religiously unaffiliated now outnumber Protestants in several countries.
Latin America remains a land of deep faith, yet more adults today report no religious affiliation, reflecting shifting religious landscapes.
While Catholic majorities have narrowed, the majority across countries such as Mexico, Peru, and Colombia still believe in God and value faith in daily life.
In countries like Brazil and Chile, less than half now identify as Catholic, but prayer and religious practice continue to shape family and community life heavily.
Protestant numbers hold steady, with Brazil boasting the largest proportion, and Pentecostal churches remain influential even amid denominational changes.
Religious “nones,” though less active, still often affirm belief in God and maintain Christian values in their worldview.
As the region experiences religious switching, former Catholics are more likely to lack any religious label than to join Protestant churches, but faith remains a powerful force in society.
One hopeful sign: Belief in God is affirmed by the great majority—including those without formal religious ties—demonstrating enduring spiritual hunger across Latin America.
Stay informed and prayerfully support families and communities standing for faith, tradition, and freedom across the Americas.
Faith Facts
- Baptist donors across the UK raised £90,000 after Spurgeon’s College unexpectedly shut down in July 2025.
- The Baptist Union of Great Britain quickly established a Student Support Office to protect academic records and student accreditation.
- Funds were used to reimburse students’ tuition and provide extra financial assistance as many continued their ministry training elsewhere.
When Spurgeon’s College closed suddenly due to financial difficulties, Baptist churches and donors responded with urgency rooted in Christian charity. Their efforts ensured students could stay on their calling to ministry, despite uncertainty and extra burdens.
Founded in 1856 by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the historic college trained generations of Christian servants. With the closure displacing up to 200 students, the Baptist family stepped in to provide practical and spiritual support—a testament to living out the Gospel call to bear one another’s burdens.
Other Baptist colleges and regional associations worked together to help students continue their theological training. Most transferred to the London hub of Bristol Baptist College or other respected institutions, ensuring ministry formation remains strong.
“We have been delighted and humbled by the generosity and compassion of Baptists across our Union that is expressed in the donations made. The total enabled us to help more students than we initially thought would be possible, and to a higher level.”
These actions reflect Biblical stewardship and unity, ensuring those dedicated to Gospel ministry are equipped and encouraged even in trial. Let us continue to lift up students and staff in our prayers as they pursue Kingdom service.
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