U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) spoke in Washington, D.C. Wednesday on behalf of over a dozen people imprisoned by the Nicaraguan government.
Eleven pastors and two attorneys connected to Mountain Gateway, a non-profit founded by a man from Pinson, were jailed after holing events in Nicaragua that brought hundreds to thousands to the Lord.
The prisoners have not been given official paperwork on why they were jailed but were told the charges were money laundering and organized crime.
Westerman told their story from the U.S. House floor.
“As an American and a strong supporter of religious freedom, it is hard to grasp the reality that other nations do not have the freedom to worship in peace,” Westerman said.
Today I spoke on the U.S House Floor to recognize the thirteen Mountain Gateway officials who are wrongfully imprisoned in Nicaragua.
— Rep. Bruce Westerman (@RepWesterman) February 14, 2024
I condemn the actions by Nicaraguan authorities against both Nicaraguan and American citizens for worshipping the God who created them. I will be… pic.twitter.com/vXdd1NyIQI
Mountain Gateway founder Jon Britton Hancock, who grew up in Pinson, previously spoke with 1819 News and said even he and two of his family members are facing imprisonment in Nicaragua. The non-profit officially began work in Nicaragua and was registered with the government in 2015. The mission was to spread the Gospel and train pastors while assisting in various relief efforts.
Mountain Gateway’s property has also been seized, including 47 vehicles and a 122-acre coffee bean farm that provides jobs for locals.
Standing beside a family impacted, Westerman told their story.
“The children, who are also U.S. citizens, are currently separated from their family due to the wrongful imprisonment of their parents,” he added.
A concern for the prisoners is the treatment they are experiencing. They have been cut off from communicating with anyone outside prison walls, including their own family members and attorneys.
“I condemn the actions by Nicaraguan authorities against both Nicaraguan and American citizens for worshipping the God who created them,” Westerman continued. “And I will be praying for the peace and comfort for the individuals and their families until they are safely united.”
Hancock wants the U.S. government to put pressure on the Nicaraguan government to release the prisoners.
"It's very egregious, this whole situation," he told 1819 News.
Hancock also relayed a message for those being imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.
"Our people are not the first people to be persecuted and it is happening all over the world right now, particularly among evangelical Christians. It is probably more active and a bigger problem now than it ever has been," Hancock said. "I would tell them to keep seeking Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Maintain faith to Jesus no matter what it costs you. He is our strong tower and our shield and there definitely is a cost but this is not over and the Lord is with us. We just believe the Lord is going to bring this to a resolution, according to his will."
Along with prayer, Hancock said Americans could share this story and reach out to their U.S. Representatives and Senators to ask them to look into the situation.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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