Pastor sentenced to death


Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
and wife, "Sister Tina"
Photo from Present Truth Ministries

Christians in Iran are reporting that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been sentenced to death for what is called a "thought crime." Pastor Youcef, a leader in the Full Gospel "Church of Iran" network, was arrested in October 2009 after protesting a decision by the government requiring that his son study the Qur'an. VOM contacts confirm that the pastor's trial was held in recent weeks in the 11th Chamber of the Assize Court of the province of Gilan, but a formal verdict has not yet been delivered by the court. If a death sentence is officially handed down and Pastor Youcef is executed, his would be the first judicial execution of a Christian in Iran in two decades.

Pray that God will fill Pastor Youcef and his family with peace and that they will continue to stand on the Word, knowing that God protects His children. Pray for those in charge of Pastor Youcef's case, that God would soften their hearts and cause them to overturn their decision. Pray for all Iranian believers who are in custody, that they would know that God can use their imprisonment for His glory.

Please visit the Iran Country Report to learn more about suffering believers in Iran.

  • 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.

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Iran News

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