Gethsemani Baptist Church

Gethsemani Baptist Church’s food distribution program is a 25-year ministry to impoverished families in the southernmost part of Yuma County. Every Sunday, they feed and minister to about 300 families and donate what remains to nearby churches.

Through this ministry, the Church fills a critical need in the City by sharing the Gospel and donating food and other supplies, which it ferries to its property using a semi-truck. Because no other food ministries exist within the city, the Church’s charitable activities have been a blessing for the community, with the city often celebrating or even participating in the church’s ministry efforts.

During the pandemic, the church organized 15 drive-thru events and tirelessly served over 400 families distributing food, clothing, water, and other supplies. Two of the drive-through events were held in the parking lot at city hall with the entire San Luis city council members joining the effort, handing out bread and canned goods.

In previous years the city provided the church warehouse space for food storage and even allocated grants to support their efforts. What was once a show of support and cooperation with the church’s efforts has turned into a combative denial of the church’s ministry to the poor.

Gethsemani’s ministry was forced to a screeching halt after the election of Mayor Nieves Riedel in late 2022.  After she took office, everything changed.  City officials sent a letter to the church’s pastor demanding they stop the food delivery trucks that provide the food or be fined for their efforts. Because of the city’s hostility, Pastor Jose Castro had to significantly cut back on food distribution. He’s tried to continue feeding the hungry as best he can under these limitations.

To comply with the city’s demands and avoid fines they could not afford, the church offered to use smaller trucks—not as efficient or with the same capacity.  But the City said no.

Just a few weeks ago, while Pastor Jose was passing out food to group of about 10 people, a city code enforcer showed up unannounced and issued him four citations. Less than a week later, when a third party parked in front of the church for only five minutes, the code enforcer returned and issued four more citations. The city has even threatened the pastor with criminal charges.

These aggressive tactics have now forced Gethsemani to pause its ministry, as the church and Pastor Jose cannot afford the heavy fines or to relocate.  Because of the City and Mayor Riedel’s intimidation tactics, the church cannot feed the hungry.  That means people are going hungry right now.

In March 2024, First Liberty and the law firm Snell and Wilmer L.L.P. filed a complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona urging the court to stop the City of San Luis (AZ) from blocking Gethsemani’s efforts to distribute food to the poor.

“It’s unconscionable that the City of San Luis won’t allow Gethsemani Baptist Church to continue its 25-year mission of providing food for the hungry, hurting people in the surrounding communities,” said Jeremy Dys, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute. “People who take action to care for the hungry should be encouraged and affirmed, not threatened and fined.”

In July 2024, the United States Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in the case.  Dys added, “We are grateful that the United States Department of Justice took filed a statement of interest in our case.  Churches like Gethsemani Baptist who are laboring every day to care for their community should receive the support of their city.  We hope the support of the law given by the United States of America motivates the City of San Luis to end their opposition to Pastor Castro and support his good work.”