A Southern Baptist Church in Minnesota has called for the rights of worshippers to be urgently protected. Cities Church issued a statement after its service on Jan. 18 was disrupted by anti-immigration enforcement protesters.

The church said a group of “agitators” had “jarringly disrupted” the worship gathering and accosted members of the congregation, including “frightened children." It said the incident was marked by “intimidation and threat," adding that “such conduct is shameful, unlawful, and will not be tolerated." 

Around 30 protesters are reported to have entered the church where one of the pastors, David Easterood, is the leader of the local ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) office. 

Tensions have been running high in Minnesota after the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Christian mother, Renee Good, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

In its statement, Cities Church said it welcomed respectful dialogue about present issues, and said that Jesus offers a love that “transcends cultures, borders, policies, and politics." 

It added that “church buildings are meant to be places of peace and solace, where worshipers can hear and live out this message." 

"We therefore call on local, state, and national leaders to protect this fundamental right," it said.

The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention called what happened “an unacceptable trauma." 

Cities Church is considering whether to take legal action over the incident.