Photo: Article18
Ebrahim Firouzi, an Iranian convert who was arrested several times for his Christian activities, unexpectedly passed away on February 20th from a heart attack. The Christian man's body was found in his home by his brother, who went to check on the believer after not hearing from him for a few days. Ebrahim was only 37 years old.
Following his first arrest in January 2011, Ebrahim was held in custody for several months before being conditionally released. He was arrested again in 2013 and sentenced to six years in prison because of his involvement in a house church. Throughout his time in prison, Ebrahim sought ways to make the Scriptures available to those who were imprisoned with him.
Upon his release in 2019, the persecuted believer was banished to a remote region of Iran for two additional years. During his exile, Ebrahim became a respected member of his new community, where he started his own business and volunteered to serve in local schools. While paying tribute to the deceased Iranian believer, Mansour Borji from Article18 said: "Ebrahim did not lose hope, even during all those years in prison. He had an incredible fighting spirit."
In 2020, Ebrahim was interviewed during his time in exile by Joseph Hovsepian, founder of Hovsepian Ministries. You may view this videotaped interview which has been translated into English. For previously published Persecution & Prayer Alert posts reporting on the opposition Ebrahim endured due his faith in Jesus, along with information about the many other believers imprisoned in Iran, see our country report.
While Ebrahim is assuredly now in heaven rejoicing in the wonderful presence of our Saviour, please prayerfully uphold his family members and friends who are now grieving over the sudden loss of their loved one. As they mourn the end of Ebrahim's young earthly life, may they tangibly experience the peace, love and blessed assurance that comes from the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). May the Lord also minister to the individual needs of our other Christian brothers and sisters in Iran, ensuring that they are equipped spiritually, emotionally and physically to continue serving as lights amid the darkness of this needy world by conveying the hope of the Gospel.
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