Baptist church in Arizona sues border city government over food program for poor
City officials began sending notices in September to the church saying its 25-year-old food ministry violates zoning codes.
A Southern Baptist church is suing the border town of San Luis, Ariz., accusing city officials of harassment in a bid to shut down the congregation’s 25-year-old food ministry for the poor, according to The Washington Times and other media reports.
Gethsemani Baptist Church, located in a residential zone near the U.S.-Mexico border, has asked the federal court in Phoenix to block the city’s actions and protect the church’s rights to free practice of religion.
Jose Manuel Castro is the pastor of Gethsemani Baptist.