In April, the Persecution and Prayer Alert covered the story of "Nancy," a refugee from Iran who came to Canada after threats on her life when she converted to Christianity. On investigation, the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board judge was not convinced she was a Christian, despite clear testimony from her and her pastor. The judge admitted to knowing little about Protestant Christian beliefs, but ruled against her anyway when Nancy was unable to name more than two Christian sacraments and did not use the term "holy communion" for the receiving of bread and wine. As a result, she was ordered deported to Iran.
An August 5 article in Christian Week reports that she has now applied for a religious worker's visa for the United States to work with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, in ministering to Iranian immigrants in Utah. If the U.S. embassy recognizes this as a legitimate job and she passes the interview expected this month, she will be moving to the U.S. and applying for a permanent residency permit for herself and her family. Nancy's husband and children are still living in Iran.
Pray that this opportunity will enable Nancy to go to the U.S. and not be forced to return to Iran to face likely persecution. Pray also that her family will be able to join her.
Current Ministry Fund
By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.
Ethnicity Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes
Religion (%) Islam (99.6), other, including Christian (0.3), Unspecified (0.2)
Leader President Ebrahim Raisi (2021)
Government type Theocratic republic
Legal system Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Iran
As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.
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