Refugee Allowed to Stay in Canada

In April 2003, the Voice of the Martyrs released a story about "Nancy" (not her real name) who had fled to Canada from Iran when threats were made on her life when she converted to Christianity. In applying as a refugee, however, she failed to convince the immigration judge that she was truly a Christian. The judge ruled that Nancy did not understand "the most basic Christian concepts," even though the judge admitted to not understanding Protestant Christianity. Despite all evidence, including a warrant for her arrest in Iran, she was ordered deported to Iran. After seemingly exhausting all appeals, including two PPRAs (Pre-Removal Risk Assessments), Nancy prepared to go to the United States, if all permits could be obtained before being deported. (For more details, follow the links at https://www.vomcanada.com/iran.htm).

In a January 28 news release from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, it was announced that Nancy had filed a third PPRA while waiting for U.S. approval and was successful in gaining refugee status. This is the first time anyone has been successful at this level of appeals. Nancy still intends to go to the United States to work in Utah and Nevada as a missionary to Muslims. She has just received word that her U.S. visa as a religious worker has also been approved.

Praise God with us for this opportunity for Nancy to serve her Lord. Pray for her continued ministry, as she shares her love for Jesus Christ.

  • 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.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Designation
    Persecuted

    Population
    87,590,873 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity
    Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

    Religion (%)
    Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)

    Leader
    Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)

    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.

Iran News

  • Armenian Christian Faces Ten-Year Sentence
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Photo: Article18

    Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who went to Iran for vacation in August 2023. While the Christian couple and their two children were having dinner at a friend's house, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the property. The authorities took the Christian family to the home of Elisa's grandmother, where the believers had been staying, and proceeded to search the residence. During the raid, Christian books and other personal belongings were confiscated. The couple was then taken to Evin Prison where they faced interrogation and intense psychological torture.

  • Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Prison
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Photo: Article18

    On Christmas Eve of 2023, Esmaeil Narimanpour was apprehended by security forces. The Iranian follower of Jesus was charged with "acting against national security by communicating with Christian 'Zionist' organizations." As of April 30th, he was released on bail after spending more than four months in detention. For more details relating to his case, see these previously posted reports.