Update: Pastor released from prison

Middle East Concern 13 September 2012

Praise God for Youcef's release!
Photo: ACLJ

Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who was found guilty of apostasy and sentenced to death in 2010, has been released from prison (for more on these charges, click here).

At a court hearing on September 8, Pastor Youcef's previous conviction for apostasy was withdrawn. He was convicted instead on charges related to evangelistic activities and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. However, the time he has already spent in prison (two years and 11 months) counted toward the new sentence. The court accepted a bail payment in order to release him one month early.

Pastor Youcef has been reunited with his wife and two children.

Praise God for the release of Pastor Youcef! Pray that God will continue to protect Youcef and his family from those who wish to cause them harm. Pray that Youcef's testimony will draw many others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that the Church in Iran will continue to grow despite opposition from authorities.

For more on Iran's persecuted Church, go to the Iran Country Report.

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.