Since his arrest on September 9, along with eighty other leaders of an Assemblies of God conference, the whereabouts of Pastor Hamid Pourmand have been unknown. When all the other leaders were released within days, Pourmand, a lay-pastor from Bandar-i Bushehr, remained in custody. Pourmand had converted to Christianity from Islam twenty-five years ago. Married with two children, he is a colonel in the Iranian army. Being a convert from Islam, there has been fear for his life, since a number of converts have been killed for apostasy since Iran became an Islamic republic in 1976.
According to a November 15 report from Compass Direct, sources have located Pourmand. He had been told in late October that he would be released soon. However, he has recently been transferred to a military prison. This move has intensified fears for his safety. After his arrest, his home had been broken into and all the family papers and photographs had been taken.
In recent months, Islamic leaders have expressed concern about "foreign religions," calling them a threat to national security. One Shiite cleric claimed that as many as fifty young people convert to Christianity every day.
Pray for protection for Hamid Pourmand. As he faces this imminent danger because of his faith in Jesus Christ, pray that he will stand firm with a consistent testimony of Christ's grace in the face of any threat. Pray for his family during this difficult time. Praise God for the spiritual wakening among Iran 's young people and pray for the continued witness of Christ's love and salvation throughout Iran , despite the increasing opposition.
For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Iran , click here.
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