Pacific Justice Institute Files Federal Lawsuit Against City of Warren for Targeting Church Food Ministry
WARREN, Mich. — Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) has filed a ten-count federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of Pastor Curtis Ostosh and Harvest Time Christian Fellowship, alleging unlawful targeting and harassment by the City of Warren.
For more than three decades, Pastor Ostosh and his church have operated a food distribution ministry serving the surrounding community, providing meals and essential support to those in need. In 2024 alone, the ministry distributed food to approximately 70,000 individuals and was recognized by the city with a civic award for its service.
According to the complaint, tensions arose following the 2025 election of Lori Stone. Shortly thereafter, the church began observing individuals monitoring its activities from nearby streets, followed by a series of anonymous complaints lodged against the ministry.
An investigation by the State of Michigan reportedly found no basis for the allegations. However, the lawsuit asserts that city officials directed code enforcement personnel to take action against the church regardless of the findings.
The complaint contends that code enforcement officers began conducting repeated inspections and surveillance of the property, including photographing routine food distribution operations. The lawsuit further claims that enforcement efforts selectively targeted the church while ignoring similar conditions at nearby properties.
PJI asserts that the city’s actions violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), as well as protections guaranteed under the First Amendment and the Michigan Constitution.
“This case is about far more than zoning or code enforcement—it is about whether a city can single out a church for doing what churches are called to do: serve the community,” said Brad Dacus, Founder and President of PJI. “When government officials target people of faith because of who they are or what they believe, they cross a constitutional line that cannot be ignored. Pacific Justice Institute will stand firmly against this kind of unlawful hostility.”
David Peters, who is representing the church, emphasized the broader legal implications of the case:
“The evidence shows a troubling pattern of selective enforcement and government overreach.
This church has served its community faithfully for decades, and yet it now faces scrutiny not applied to others. The law is clear. Religious organizations cannot be singled out for adverse treatment under RLUIPA or the Constitution.”
Pastor Ostosh and Harvest Time Christian Fellowship continue their mission of serving the community despite the legal challenges, remaining committed to feeding those in need and ministering to their neighbors.
Pacific Justice Institute is dedicated to defending religious freedom and ensuring that individuals and organizations can live out their faith without fear of government retaliation.
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