U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) addressed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Friday from the House floor on behalf of Mountain Gateway, a non-profit that trains pastors and offers relief work in Latin American countries.
In December 2023, following significant events that brought hundreds of thousands to hear the word of God, 11 pastors and two attorneys with the non-profit were arrested in Nicaragua.
"Since then, 11 pastors have been charged with up to 15 years in prison, and a combined $1 billion in fines," Moore said Friday. "These pastors were working to bless the people of Nicaragua but now all of their personal property has been seized. They have no legal representation, which is a violation of their human rights. These sentences leave families without income, children without mothers and fathers, simply for sharing the good news of Jesus."
The founder of the non-profit, John Britton Hancock, who is from Pinson, said he was also threatened with arrest if he returned to Nicaragua.
Moore led a resolution in February calling for the immediate release of those arrested. Now, he said the fight is not over.
RELATED: Congressmen from Alabama call on release of imprisoned Mountain Gateway pastors in Nicaragua
Hancock said the arrests are part of a ploy by Nicaraguan leaders to muffle Christian voices. That's why Moore said he would continue to call for the release of those arrested.
"Speaker, evangelists with Mountain Gateway Ministries have worked across the country doing disaster recovery, providing food, clothing, and planting churches with the support of the assistance of the Nicaraguan government," Moore continued. "Americans and their Nicaraguan counterparts associated with Mountain Gateway have made it their mission to spread the hope of gospel to the Nicaraguan people for nearly 30 years. I'm deeply concerned these citizens and pastors are being targeted for sharing their faith."
I continue to call for the release of eleven Nicaraguan pastors who have been imprisoned on falsified charges.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) April 19, 2024
Their unjust imprisonment for sharing the gospel has left families without income and children without parents. pic.twitter.com/tcih1KqOjU
Moore urged Congress to call on the Nicaraguan government to release those imprisoned.
"Matthew 5:10 says, 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven,'" he said. "I am praying for a swift resolution of the persecution of these pastors and that they will be safely returned."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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