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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 throughout Iran to be reached via satellite with the "Good News" of Jesus' tremendous love for them. VOMC is also working with ministry partners to provide the Theology of Persecution course in the Farsi language so Iranian believers can be taught an accurate theological perspective and, therefore, gain a better understanding of persecution from a Biblical point of view.

Project Fund: Underground Church

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
85,888,910 (July 2021 est.)

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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