01/20/2026
May God bless Pastor Jonathan, his family and the congregation at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. May the Lord bring many visitors this coming Sunday in support of Cities Church.
Standing Together in Prayer and Gospel Resolve
The Upper Ohio Valley Baptist Association stands in prayerful support of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and their pastor and missionary Jonathan Parnell, following the deeply troubling disruption of worship services this past Sunday.
We echo the statements released by numerous Southern Baptists Leaders, and Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board, as they clearly affirm that no cause—political or otherwise—justifies the violation of Christian worship or the intimidation of families gathered in the house of the Lord.
We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and the ongoing investigation, and we join Southern Baptists across the nation in standing firmly with our missionaries, church planters, and local churches who faithfully proclaim the Gospel.
Please join us in praying:
• For Pastor Jonathan Parnell, that he would continue to lead with courage, clarity, and Christ-centered boldness
• For Cities Church, that they would remain steadfast and united in the face of opposition
• For the children and teenagers affected by these events, that the Lord would bring peace and healing
• For the community of St. Paul, that the hope of the Gospel would shine even brighter
As Pastor Parnell so clearly stated:
“The hope of the world is Jesus Christ.”
May we continue to stand together—firm in truth, strong in love, and unwavering in our mission to make Christ known.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
