Photo: ADF International
Churches and nonprofit organizations in Nicaragua have been encountering increasing harassment from the government under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega. In recent years, dozens of religious leaders were arrested or expelled from the country and hundreds of organizations have been shut down.
One of the many organizations affected by the ongoing crackdown is the American-based ministry, Mountain Gateway. In December 2023, the organization's registration was revoked. Following this action, all assets were seized, and charges were laid against 11 local pastors, three American staff members and two lawyers who had been working for the organization. The Americans were not in the country at the time, but the other 13 Christians were detained and convicted of money laundering in March 2024.
On September 5th, the American government announced that, through secret negotiations, the release of 135 imprisoned Nicaraguan citizens had been arranged on humanitarian grounds, including the 13 believers from Mountain Gateway. Also among the recently released prisoners were Catholic ministry workers, students and other individuals who had been considered a threat to Nicaragua's authoritarian regime. All those who were released have since been transported to Guatemala, where they will be processed as refugees and given the opportunity to seek residence in the United States or other nations.
In response to this news, the founder of Mountain Gateway, Jon Britton Hancock, exclaimed: "This is the day we have prayed and believed God for. These pastors and attorneys have suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel, but it has not been in vain. The Kingdom of God is advancing because of their persecution. Today, we cry tears of joy because our brothers and sisters are free!" To review previously published reports addressing persecution in Nicaragua, see this page.
Praise God for the safe release of these prisoners! Continue to pray for the many other innocent people who continue to be arbitrarily detained in Nicaragua, as well as those who have been unjustly expelled from the country. Pray for the ongoing ministry efforts of the nation's remaining believers, asking that they be given continued wisdom, protection and courage, as well as the spiritual strength needed to withstand the oppressive campaign of their governing leaders.
