Standing Firm in Faith: Pastors Face Criminal Prosecution for Feeding the Hungry – But They Won’t Back Down

On December 18, 2025, at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park in Northglenn, Colorado, just before noon, volunteers from three local churches were setting up tables under the pavilion, preparing to distribute hot meals to the homeless – just as they have done peacefully every Tuesday and Thursday for over four years. Among them on this cold Colorado day, only a week before Christmas, were the pastors we’ve been representing at the ACLJ – faithful men driven by a deep conviction to live out their calling.

These aren’t abstract acts of charity for them; they feel profoundly obligated to serve “the least of these.” As our Lord Himself commanded in Matthew 25:

[F]or I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. . . . inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.

For these pastors, feeding the hungry in the park isn’t optional – it’s obedience to Christ. It’s worship in action, prayer fulfilled, and fellowship extended to those society often overlooks. But on this cold Advent day, the pastors had to leave shortly after setup began; they had to leave the ministry behind and head to court. It was their scheduled first court date on the criminal citations issued by the City of Northglenn for simply gathering in a public park to exercise their faith.

As detailed in our previous update on this case, the City of Northglenn passed a targeted ordinance prohibiting recurring gatherings of five or more in public parks, leading to criminal citations against these faithful pastors. But those pastors didn’t go to the courtroom alone; they showed up with ACLJ attorneys ready to fight for their rights of assembly, speech, and religious exercise.

In the courtroom, the city begged the judge to delay the proceedings. Their hope? That future amendments to their unconstitutional ordinance might somehow save their law. This wasn’t just a tactical delay – it was a clear violation of our clients’ constitutional right to a speedy trial, a foundational protection meant to prevent exactly this kind of prolonged government harassment.

These pastors had done nothing wrong. For years, their gatherings caused no complaints, no disruptions, despite attempts from the city to pin unrelated 911 calls on the outreach. They used the park on a first-come, first-served basis, just like countless secular groups – pickleball clubs, fitness classes, walking groups – that continue meeting without interference. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that public parks “have immemorially been held in trust for the use of the public,” and later called parks “quintessential public forums.”

Yet, despite these admonitions of the Supreme Court, the city targeted these religious gatherings, enacting a resolution seemingly designed to shut them down, and then issuing criminal citations that carry the threat of conviction for following Christ’s command. Our clients remain resolute. They are eager to vindicate their First Amendment rights – to freely exercise their religion, speak their faith, and assemble peacefully – and to continue their vital ministry without fear of prosecution.

And the ACLJ is standing with them every step of the way. We’ve already filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Northglenn to strike down this discriminatory ordinance and hold officials accountable for their hostility toward religious expression. Now, we’re aggressively defending these pastors in criminal court, pushing back against delays and fighting for outright dismissal of these baseless charges.

This case echoes a troubling pattern we’ve battled nationwide: government officials using neutral-sounding rules as a pretext to suppress faith while sparing secular activities. But time and again, we’ve defeated such discrimination in court – and we will here too. Religious liberty is under attack, but it’s worth defending. These pastors’ unwavering commitment reminds us why: Because serving Christ by serving others is at the heart of the Gospel.

We can’t do this without you. Your support empowers the ACLJ to represent clients like these pastors at no cost to them, taking on powerful government entities in court. Join us in this fight – your prayers and generous donations make victories for faith possible. Together, we’ll ensure these faithful servants can continue answering their calling.