Following the killing of a Minnesota state legislator and her husband on Saturday (June 14), Christ for the Nations Institute (CFNI) said it “unequivocally rejects, denounces, and condemns any and all forms of violence and extremism”—including that of alleged suspect Vance Boelter, one of its graduates.
Boelter, 57, completed a two-year program at CFNI in 1990. Online, he indicated he had been ordained in 1993 and traveled to the Middle East to seek out “militant Islamists in order to share the gospel and tell them that violence wasn’t the answer.”
After a 36-hour manhunt led to his capture on Sunday (June 15), Boelter was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder.
His LinkedIn profile listed a wide-ranging work history, from security services to managing a 7/11 store. From 2021 to 2023, Boelter preached three sermons at La Borne Matadi, a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In those, he spoke out against abortion and the LGBTQ community. “God is going to raise up apostles and prophets in America, to correct his church,” Boelter preached.
Vance Boelter Arrested for ‘Politically Motivated Assassination’
According to authorities, Vance Boelter disguised himself as a police officer early Saturday and traveled alone to the homes of state lawmakers. After wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and Hoffman’s wife, Boelter allegedly drove to a different Minneapolis suburb and shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she is seeking to upgrade the charges against Boelter to first-degree murder. He also faces numerous federal charges, including murder, for which he could face the death penalty. Moriarty urged the public to stop spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about the case.
Boelter’s vehicle reportedly contained more weapons, “No Kings” flyers, and a hit list of other politicians and abortion advocates.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who in 2019 appointed Boelter to serve on a workforce-development board, called the murders a “politically motivated assassination.” On his profile for that board, Boelter—a married father of five—indicated that he had “no [political] party preference.”
Bible College: ‘This Is Not We Who Are’
CFNI, an interdenominational charismatic Bible college, was founded in Dallas in 1970 by Gordon and Freda Lindsay. In a June 14 press release, the school said it was “shocked and saddened” by the “heinous shootings” in Minnesota. CFNI confirmed that Vance Boelter had been a student from 1988 to 1990, graduating with a diploma in practical theology in leadership and pastoral.
“We are absolutely aghast and horrified that a CFNI alumnus is the suspect,” the school stated. “This is not who we are. This is not what we teach. This is not what we model. We have been training Christian servant leaders for 55 years and they have been agents of good, not evil.”
CFNI continued:
Our organization’s mission is to educate and equip students to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through compassion, love, prayer, service, worship, and value for human life. These core Christian values and principles, which we highly esteem and embrace, are in stark contrast to the hateful beliefs, behavior and actions now being attributed to Mr. Boelter.
Due to queries and different online sources misinterpreting and misrepresenting CFNI’s founder’s “every Christian should pray at least one violent prayer a day” slogan, we thought it important to clarify this issue. Known for a devoted life of prayer, Gordon Lindsay, who passed away in 1973, often shared this slogan privately and at public Christian gatherings. By “violent prayer” he meant that a Christian’s prayer-life should be intense, fervent, and passionate, not passive and lukewarm, considering that spiritual forces of darkness are focused on attacking life, identity in God, purpose, peace, love, joy, truth, health, and other good things.
CFNI said it has had “no contact” with Boelter since 1990 and is “completely unaware of what led to this kind of mental, emotional, social, and spiritual bankruptcy.” The school said it wants to protect its “good name” as an institution that teaches the Bible and promotes “peace and love.” CFNI also extended condolences and prayers for the victims and their families.
