On September 11, a special Persecution and Prayer Alert was sent out, asking for prayer for ten Assemblies of God pastors taken into custody in Iran on September 9 (view story). According to reports received from Compass Direct, all but one of the pastors has been released. There is still no information on the whereabouts of Pastor Hamid Pourmand, 47, from Bandar-i Bushehr. He has made no contact with his family and it is assumed that he is still in police custody. Pourmand converted from Islam twenty-five years ago. He is married with two children.
As of last report, those who had been detained were given no reason for their arrests. They reportedly faced intense questioning about themselves and the other pastors. Since being released, they have had no contact with other evangelical Christians because of the intense police surveillance.
Pray for protection for Pastor Pourmand. Pray for peace and strength for his wife and children. Pray for the continued ministry of evangelical churches in Iran, despite the intense opposition.
For more information on Iran and persecution facing Christians there, click here.
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