According to a November 28 report from Compass Direct, an Iranian convert to Christianity was kidnapped on November 22 from his home in Gonbad-e-Kavus. A few hours later, Ghorban Tori's body was dumped outside of his home. The 50-year-old pastor of an independent house church had been stabbed to death. Ghorban's congregation is made up of Muslim coverts to Christianity and in the past year he had received numerous threats from Islamic militants vowing to kill him if he did not stop sharing his faith.
Within hours of his murder, the secret police raided Ghorban's home in search of Bibles and other banned Christian books. They then proceeded to raid the homes of all the known Christians in the city. One source states that ten other Christians in several Iranian cities were arrested and tortured in the days following the murder. All were later released. Middle East Concern reports that other house church leaders have been visited by members of the Ministry of Security and Intelligence and warned that they are being watched.
We ask you to plead the case of these Iranian believers before the Father's throne. Pray that those who knew and loved Ghorban Tori will know comfort, peace and boldness as deep as their grief. Pray that those who were arrested in the aftermath of the murder will experience a speedy recovery. Pray also that the severe opposition against Christians in Iran will be replaced with a true knowledge of God that sweeps across their nation. Pray that God will raise up leaders for the growing Church in Iran.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, click here.
(Sources: Compass Direct, Middle East Concern)
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