Update: New developments in case of Iranian pastor sentenced to death

(Sources: Middle East Concern, Mohabat News, Present Truth Ministries) Last month, Youcef Nardarkhani, an Iranian pastor convicted of apostasy for leaving Islam, had his death sentenced for apostasy upheld and confirmed by the Iranian Supreme Court (click here for more information). On July 3, Pastor Youcef's lawyer reported that his case was being returned to the Revolutionary Tribunal of Gilan Province and that the Supreme Court would annul the sentence if Youcef renounced his faith. Iranian Christians are emphasizing, however, that reports indicating Pastor Youcef's case has already been annulled are misleading, as the annulment is dependent on him recanting his faith and embracing Islam. Pastor Youcef thus remains at serious risk of execution and continues to face extreme pressure to deny Christ. The Revolutionary Tribunal has been instructed to give Youcef more time in which to recant his faith in Jesus, which suggests that while the death sentence remains against him it may not be as imminent as first thought. There remains some uncertainty, however, as Pastor Youcef's lawyer has yet to receive written confirmation of the death sentence verdict. Pray Pastor Youcef will be exonerated and released. Pray he will continue to find encouragement and strength in Christ in prison. Pray Iranian officials operating in corrupt and oppressive ways will repent of their actions and come to embrace Christ as Lord. Pray Christians in Iran will set their minds on Christ as they serve Him amid opposition (1 Corinthians 1:10). Find out more about Iranians staying faithful to the Lord at great cost at the Iran Country Report.

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Vietnamese pastor kidnapped by authorities

(Source: VOM contacts) Pastor T, a Mennonite from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, was arrested on June 26. He was beaten in custody and taken to an unknown location. Nu, Pastor T's wife, shared that her husband left home around 10 p.m., but phoned 15 minutes later from Ward 26 of Binh Thanh District Police Station to say he was being held. Nu and other church members went to the heavily guarded police station but the authorities denied having anyone in custody. She called out to her husband from a back door. He heard her and responded, "I'm here. They have brutally beaten me, my jaw and hand are broken, and they have shackled my legs and hands. I'm very tired and am in pain." Nu implored the police to let her see her husband, but they refused. Later, she witnessed him being taken by car to another location. At the time of writing, Pastor T's condition and location were unknown. His house has been raided. Two weeks earlier, Pastor T was involved in a religious demonstration. Please pray for Pastor T's health and that he and his wife will know the Lord's comforting and strengthening presence. Pray for his release. Commit Pastor T's congregation to the Lord, praying that they will continue to meet together and provide encouragement to one another during this difficult time. Learn more about Christian persecution in Vietnam at the Vietnam Country Report.

Evangelists threatened and under investigation in Pakistan

(Source: VOM contacts) A Christian in a remote Pakistani community recently faced pressure from Muslims determined to stop him from sharing his faith. The Muslim men approached "Salman" (not his real name), as he distributed gospel literature. They told him, "We are well aware of what you are doing here; you are trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. We warn you to stop these activities." They also said that if he did not stop he would "face results in the future." Unshaken by their threats, Salman boldly replied, "I am here because my God sent me…. When the Lord asks me to leave this place I will do it, but until then I will not leave." In another city in Pakistan, officials visited an evangelist's office and asked if he and those present were involved in converting Muslims to Christianity. The officials also asked about the evangelist's source of funding. Christians who work in the office are now under investigation, and authorities are also watching their mail. Thank the Lord for the enduring faithfulness of these believers. Pray they will continue to rely on Christ to make them firm and steadfast in faith amid pressure and harassment (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray God will grant wisdom and protection to all those sharing the gospel in Pakistan. To learn more about how Pakistani Christians are suffering for following Christ, visit the Pakistan Country Report. (Source: VOM contacts) A Christian in a remote Pakistani community recently faced pressure from Muslims determined to stop him from sharing his faith. The Muslim men approached "Salman" (not his real name), as he distributed gospel literature. They told him, "We are well aware of what you are doing here; you are trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. We warn you to stop these activities." They also said that if he did not stop he would "face results in the future." Unshaken by their threats, Salman boldly replied, "I am here because my God sent me…. When the Lord asks me to leave this place I will do it, but until then I will not leave." In another city in Pakistan, officials visited an evangelist's office and asked if he and those present were involved in converting Muslims to Christianity. The officials also asked about the evangelist's source of funding. Christians who work in the office are now under investigation, and authorities are also watching their mail. Thank the Lord for the enduring faithfulness of these believers. Pray they will continue to rely on Christ to make them firm and steadfast in faith amid pressure and harassment (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray God will grant wisdom and protection to all those sharing the gospel in Pakistan. To learn more about how Pakistani Christians are suffering for following Christ, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Indian pastor's father beaten unconscious

(Source: Compass Direct News) Hindu extremists in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan State have threatened to kill a pastor after beating his family and violating an agreement to stop attacking them. Pastor Shantilal Ninama of Believers Church said that Hindu extremists beat his 65-year-old father until he fell unconscious in one of the attacks last month. After agreeing to do no further harm to Pastor Ninama and his family in exchange for him dropping police charges he'd filed over a previous attack, the Hindu extremists stormed into his home on the evening of June 8 and began beating his father, sister, wife and three children. As the pastor sought police help, his father fell unconscious and his wife and two of his children ran out into the darkness. Another daughter hid beneath a bed, and his sister escaped and hid in a valley. The Rev. Prabhatkar Malladi, secretary of the Udaipur Diocese in Rajasthan, shared that the extremists were threatening to kill the pastor. "The villagers are not allowing any Christian leaders to enter into the village to meet Pastor Ninama, but we are taking necessary steps to help the pastor, and one advocate is now taking up the case," he said. Pray for the Lord's protection upon Pastor Shantilal, his family and all Christians in the area. Pray his father will make a full recovery. Pray the Lord will minister to the perpetrators and those in authority involved in the case, using this incident as a witness for the gospel. Learn more about the tribulations that befall Christians in India at the India Country Report.

'Absurd' criminal charge for praying for the sick in Kazakhstan

(Source: Forum 18) Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of the New Life Protestant Church in Taraz could face up to two years' imprisonment if criminal charges of harming an individual's health, brought by the National Security Committee (KNB) secret police, reach court. The KNB claim a visitor to the church suffered after Pastor Yerzhan prayed for him using hypnosis -- the second time the secret police have brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in Jambyl Region. "This is not the first time the authorities in southern regions of Kazakhstan bring such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis, while in reality all they do is pray for the sick," New Life Church members complained. Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church's Sunday worship after an alleged complaint of food poisoning, and the KNB searched Pastor Yerzhan's home. Pray the truth of this case will come to light. Pray for healing of the church visitor; may this act as a witness to God's mercy, goodness and authority. Pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of Pastor Yerzhan and his congregation. Find out more about the suffering of Christians in Kazakhstan at the Kazakhstan Country Report.

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