Bail for Salvadoran gang pastor

Giovanni Martinez (at far left of photo above)  has been persecuted by the government of El Salvador for his pastoral ministry to gang members.  Once an active gang member himself, Giovanni's life was transformed as a result of his conversion to Jesus Christ 22 years ago. Since that time he has dedicated his life to preaching in different prisons in El Salvador.  Law enfocement agents in El Salvador are now treating Giovanni as if he were an active gang member. He and his family have had to flee for their lives. They have been beaten and received death threats, forcing them to seek refuge in the United States. In August 2017 Giovanni was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in San Diego as he tried to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security has accepted his story, lowering his bail to $5,000, allowing him to rejoin his wife and son in Washington State and pursue his claim for amnesty.

Giovanni's family are unable to come up with this amount of money. Family friends working in the apple orchards of Eastern Washington do not have the resources to bail him out. 

Your gift will be used towards posting bail to release Giovanni before the legal deadline of January 4. After his court dates when bail money is returned, this money will go to a pastoral discretionary fund at Tierra Nueva  (www.tierra-nueva.org) to be used to support immigrants in crisis through The Family Support Center. 

We are grateful for any support you are able to offer to help Giovanni continue his life and ministry on the outside of immigration detention.