by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
This week, First Liberty secured an important victory for Gethsemani Baptist Church in San Luis, Arizona.
Our legal team reached a settlement that will allow the church to continue operating its food distribution ministry without any obstruction from the city. In 2024, filed a federal lawsuit after city officials repeatedly tried to shut down the church’s ministry, which feeds hundreds of impoverished families every week.
Gethsemani Baptist has made an impact in the community for more than two decades. The church has operated the ministry since 1999, sharing the Gospel as it distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and other household items to the most vulnerable in the surrounding areas.
It is the only food ministry in the city serving desperate families. When a new mayor took office, the city ordered Pastor Jose Castro to stop feeding the homeless and threatened him with civil and criminal citations, as well as heavy fines, if he did not stop. These aggressive tactics forced Gethsemani to pause its ministry, as the church and Pastor Jose could not afford the heavy fines or to relocate.
“Gethsemani Baptist Church has only ever wanted to continue its 25-year mission of providing food for the hungry, hurting people in their community,” said Ryan Gardner, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. “We are grateful that the city’s agreement will ensure that the church can carry on its ministry serving the vulnerable families in Yuma County.”
“I am thankful to God that I can continue serving my community,” said Pastor Castro. “We hope to continue being a blessing to San Luis for many years.”
With this settlement, Pastor Castro and the church are once again fully free to fulfill their divinely inspired calling. What they’re doing is a tremendous labor of love—an outreach that’s changing the lives of so many people.
Thank you for supporting First Liberty. This settlement for Gethsemani would not have been possible without you.
Your support makes an incredible difference in the lives of Americans like Pastor Castro, his congregation and the hundreds of families impacted by their ministry. We deeply appreciate every gift, every prayer and encouraging message you sent during this case.
Will you help us deliver religious freedom for more of our clients? Your gift today can protect the rights of houses of worship, so that they can continue to impact their communities.
Please give to First Liberty today.
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