Family Research Council (FRC) has released a report showing that physical attacks on America's churches increased by almost 300% in 2022 versus four years ago. Based off publicly available data from January 2018 to September 2022, at least 420 acts of hostility against U.S. churches occurred.
The report documents 137 attacks this year alone. Incidents include vandalism, arson, gun-related situations, bomb threats, and more.
Talking about this on his radio program, FRC President Tony Perkins recently said the destructive acts have the potential to intimidate a religious community and should not be taken lightly. In fact, he says they must be condemned.
"We shouldn't be surprised, though, as we see an administration that quite frankly is ignoring what we've seen just in the last six months," he added.
Pastor Amado Huizar of South Bay Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista, California knows the situation all too well. His church was vandalized in 2019 with satanic imagery after he spoke out against a drag queen story hour a local public library was hosting for children.
"Sadly, we have had over 15 other incidents attacking our church," Pastor Huizar laments. "Even today we're dealing with this. And with our administration bringing drag queens to the White House, we've got to continue to stand up. I am just appalled by where we are headed."
Churches, he says, need to be vigilant, and he is urging every church leader to "no longer sit on your laurels" or sit back and wait.
"We need to be vigilant and protect the house of God," Huizar contends.
