A pastoral lament for Minnesota
By Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
VALLEY FORGE, PA (01/26/2026)—My heart grieves the tragic deaths of Alex Jeffrey Pretti and Renee Nicole Goode. They were both law-abiding citizens killed while exercising their civic and moral duty, along with their constitutional rights to peacefully resist the ruthless conduct of federally appointed agents that were visibly violating the rights of their neighbors.
Non-violent resistance has always been a dangerous undertaking, not because it should be dangerous, but because oppressive governments and the workers of iniquity do not relent in the face of resistance. Instead, they increase their level of violence in order to force submission.
Ms. Goode was not gunned down because of attempting to drive away from heavily masked men, nor was Mr. Pretti executed due to exercising his 2nd Amendment right to legally bear a firearm—which he never brandished, and the firearm had already been taken from him before he was executed. Both of these beautiful humans were killed because the Administration has deputized and publicly sanctioned masked goons to roam the streets of America with badges and guns to capture, threaten, and murder anyone they want with immunity from punishment. While the government sanction does not compel these agents to kill, it permits them to commit the violence that is in their hearts and minds to commit without fearing prosecution.
Mr. Pretti and Ms. Goode were killed because they were bold and courageous enough to publicly say, “STOP!” to the unlawful and violent conduct of federal agents that were violating the rights of others.
Our current predicament is this: the Trump Administration presents a clear and present danger to people in communities across America.
As I lament the deaths of Ms. Goode and Mr. Pretti, I also pray for their loved ones and neighbors who are suffering unimaginable loss, pain and grief. I pray for all the people of Minnesota who are living under siege and under threat by a wicked and corrupt armed force that has been told they may do whatever they want to whoever they want with impunity.
Thankfully, across our nation, Americans of all identities, persuasions, and affiliations are resisting fascism, tyranny, and violence sanctioned by the Administration.
I close with this pastoral prayer and invite American Baptists and all people good of conscience to reflect on the words of Psalm 46:
Lord, listen to your children praying and crying out for justice and intervention. Give comfort to those that are faithfully and courageously bearing witness, standing firm, and resisting the principalities and powers. Bring an end to wicked rulers and deliver us from evil. Bless all those who hunger and thirst for justice. Comfort all who mourn. Also comfort the meek who feel powerless to bring an end to the injustice and violence. Sustain the peacemakers. Bless all those who are persecuted for doing justice and who subsequently have all manner of evil falsely alleged against them. May they be rewarded for righteousness’ sake. Grant us all courage in this season of tremendous evil to Do Justice, to Love Mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Amen!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46, NIV)
Dr. Jeffrey Haggray is executive director, American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press.
