January 19, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB) – The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the world’s largest association of Christian communicators, vehemently condemns the premeditated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where radical protesters stormed the sanctuary and terrorized worshippers during a Sunday service on January 18, 2026.
This was a deliberate act targeting a local congregation simply because a member of its pastoral staff allegedly holds a role in public service. We applaud the Department of Justice’s swift action in launching a civil rights investigation to hold these violators, who have previously targeted other congregations, accountable under federal laws that safeguard religious freedom.
The following statement is attributable to Troy A. Miller, NRB president & CEO:
“This outrageous assault on a house of God is a wake-up call for every American who values freedom. Christians are under siege as the most persecuted religious group in our nation, facing escalating hostility from those who seek to silence our faith. These protesters didn’t just interrupt a service, they desecrated a sacred sanctuary, frightened families, harassed innocent believers, and directly challenged our constitutional right to worship without fear or coercion. Targeting a church over a pastor’s bi-vocational role is bigotry and a blatant attack on religious liberty. The American church must rise up, unite, and fight back to defend our God-given rights.”
NRB stands unapologetically for the First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion, empowering Christian communicators in the church and beyond. Houses of worship are inviolable sanctuaries, shielded by law from such vile intrusions. When mobs cross that line to bully and terrorize, they endanger the liberties of all Americans.
NRB calls on church leaders, Christian communicators, and believers everywhere rally with urgency to protect our faith. We call on law enforcement at every level to prosecute these offenders ensuring churches remain bastions of peace, worship, and unyielding protection under the law.
To request an interview with Miller, please contact presscenter@nrb.org.
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About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
About the NRB Convention
The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assisting those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic and award-winning Exposition consists of hundreds of organizations and is an active marketplace for those seeking products and services to enhance their organization. The 2026 Convention will be held February 17–20, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.
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