08/21/2026
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: LAWSUIT SETTLED
Many of you are aware that several months ago, after FOUR YEARS of what we believed had become an intolerable pattern of protesting and disruption at the very doors of our church, we finally made the difficult decision to go to court.
We filed suit against 15 defendants.
Let me be very clear about something:
Our goal was never revenge. Our goal was never money. Our goal was PEACE.
We wanted the saints of our local assembly to be able to arrive at church, walk through the doors, worship Almighty Yahweh, fellowship together, and leave again without fear, intimidation, confrontation, or interference.
That was the objective when this began.
And today I am thankful to announce:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
The remaining lawsuit has been SETTLED with all 15 defendants, and the original objective for which we went to court has been accomplished.
There were actually two legal tracks involved in this fight — FEDERAL and STATE.
In federal court, our complaint included claims under the FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248, which expressly contains protections concerning access to places of religious worship, as well as a civil-rights conspiracy claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3).
We encountered an important limitation under Fifth Circuit precedent concerning the § 1985(3) claim: in this Circuit, that particular civil-rights conspiracy statute has been interpreted to require racially based animus, while some other federal circuits have interpreted its reach more broadly.
Our allegations concerned religious hostility and interference with worship — not racial animus.
Consequently, the federal claims were dismissed.
But that was NOT THE END OF THE MATTER.
The federal court declined to retain jurisdiction over our remaining state-law claims and dismissed those claims without prejudice, leaving them available to proceed under state law.
And that is exactly where this matter ultimately reached its resolution.
THE STATE LAWSUIT HAS NOW BEEN SETTLED WITH ALL 15 DEFENDANTS.
The specific terms of that settlement are confidential and cannot be discussed by either party, and we will honor that agreement completely.
What I can tell you is this:
The outcome accomplished the original purpose for which we went to court — PEACE and SECURITY for the people who come to worship at our local assembly.
That is what mattered to us four years ago.
That is what mattered when we filed suit.
And that is what matters today.
There are no victory laps to take over another human being. There are no enemies to celebrate defeating.
There is simply tremendous GRATITUDE that this chapter can finally close.
No pastor should have to wonder whether elderly saints, mothers, children, visitors, or worshippers will be intimidated simply because they are walking into church.
No congregation should have to spend years dealing with turmoil at the entrance to its sacred place of worship.
And no ministry should have to go to court simply to ask for peace at its own doors.
But when every other avenue has been exhausted, sometimes you must stand — firmly, lawfully, and without apology — for the people Yahweh has entrusted to your care.
We did.
And now, by the grace of Almighty Yahweh, this matter is settled.
To every member of First Harvest Ministries, every minister, every friend, and every person around this country who prayed for us during this most unusual season:
THANK YOU.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for encouraging us.
Thank you for standing with the saints.
Thank you for believing that our people deserved the simple dignity of being able to ENTER THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN PEACE.
We asked Yahweh for peace.
Today, we are thankful for the opportunity to move forward in peace.
THE LAWSUIT IS SETTLED. THE MATTER IS CONCLUDED. THE MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
Now we return our full attention to what First Harvest Ministries was called to do in the first place:
PREACH THE WORD. LOVE PEOPLE. MAKE DISCIPLES. BUILD THE KINGDOM. AND WORSHIP YAHWEH IN PEACE.
To Yahweh be all the glory.
