8/22/2025 United States (International Christian Concern) — Authorities in southern Illinois, responding to a call on July 24, have arrested two men in connection with the arson and vandalism of McKinney Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in the town of Marion. Damage estimates to the property are expected to exceed $300,000.

Ethan G. Lam, arrested on July 30, and Chad E. Krueger, arrested on Aug. 14, were both charged with place of worship arson and criminal damage to property. According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, “evidence collected at the scene and investigative follow-up” led to the arrests.

Lam and Krueger face class 1 felony charges in the state of Illinois and carry between four and 15 years in jail.

The church continues to worship in its pavilion and basement.

Attacks on American churches throughout the nation appear to be more prevalent in recent years.

Natasha Marie O’Dell pleaded guilty to setting fire to Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church (SLLC) in 2023, causing more than $3 million in damage. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, O’Dell “told acquaintances she was angry at churches, specifically SLLC. Later, she told another acquaintance she planned to burn a nearby church.”

Additionally, an Arizona man, Zimnako Salah, was found guilty of a hate crime in April after he targeted two different Christian churches with bomb threats. A federal jury found that Salah deliberately set out to intimidate Christians due to their faith in Christ.

In February, the White House said in a press release that “hostility and vandalism against Christian churches and places of worship [have] surged, with the number of such identified acts in 2023 exceeding by more than eight times the number from 2018.” In the statement, President Donald Trump also explained that his “administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians.”

McKinney Chapel posted on Facebook on Aug. 17, requesting prayer and affirming God’s presence in adversity.

“We had a great service this morning here at the Chapel,” the statement read. “We only had 4 in attendance, and we are having church in our church basement for now. But the ‘Spirit’ is still there, and we are still striving and moving forward and not letting the devil win or defeat us. God has got us covered and is seeing us through. We will eventually be back in the sanctuary, but it will be a while. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”

This case is ongoing, and arraignment hearings have been scheduled for Lam on Sept. 3 and Krueger on Oct. 1.

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