Watch the latest persecution News from the Middle East including the latest developments on Bro. Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran. This video was produced by brother Jason DeMars founder of Present Truth Ministries. Please visit their website at www.presenttruthmn.com

Article Source: The Christian Telegraph

So far, a great number of Iranian Christian converts have left their homeland due to social problems, pressures and threats, arrests, imprisonment and being sentenced to prison. Ali Golchin is a Christian who spent 87 days in solitary confinement in Evin prison. Even after he was released, security authorities didn’t leave him alone.

Ali Golchin is a Christian convert who was charged with evangelism and action against national security. He was arrested and jailed by the Islamic regime’s security authorities on April 29, 2010. Long hours of interrogation by security officers and being held in solitary confinement imposed a great pressure on him. In addition, security authorities didn’t leave him alone after his release. They watched him continuously, threatening and pressuring him. All these actions caused him to leave his homeland for unknown territories, just like tens of other oppressed Iranian Christians have done. Mohabat News interviewed Ali Golchin and asked him about his current situation. You can read the interview below:

- Mr. Golchin, what caused you to leave Iran?

It was about two years ago, on April 29, 2010 when I was arrested as a security suspect and transferred to prison. Although I was released later on bail, threats by security authorities did not end even after I was acquitted of all charges. It impacted my life severely and I was feeling that it could happen again at any time. I could not bear the situation any longer so I convinced my family and myself to leave the country. Actually the threats and the incidents that I predicted could happen at any time increased my desire to leave Iran.

- After you were arrested, a court sentenced you to one year in prison. What allegation was made against you that resulted in such a verdict?

The accusations the judge charged me with the same day that I was arrested and before being transferred to Evin prison, were actions against national security and Christian propagation through organized activities, evangelism and recruitment for Churches. The judge issued a warrant for my arrest based on these accusations.

- Did they ever put you in solitary confinement during the time of your detainment? If so, how long were you there? What was your situation there?

Yes, they did. I was held in solitary confinement since the day I was arrested and transferred to prison. In fact, I spent all 87 days in solitary confinement. As you can tell from its name, solitary confinement is a small room. One and half meters wide, two and half meters long and at the most three meters high, I believe. Only one person is held there with no contact with the world outside or even with others in prison. It is a place to put the prisoner under severe mental pressure. We all know that man is a social creature and needs contact with others. He needs to speak with others. However, you are refused everything in there. In addition, you’re also physically pressured there. It is hot in summers and I am sure it will be as cold in winters. It has a steel door which is always closed. It is only opened when they want to feed you or take you for interrogation with your eyes blindfolded. That is a harsh place. I think putting someone in solitary confinement is the worst kind of torture possible to persecute someone.

- It is said that you were arrested because of keeping Bibles. Is it a crime to own or carry a Bible in Iran?

I was accused of different things. One was keeping a Bible and the other was leading house churches in various cities including Tehran and other counties. Charging me with this, in fact, they said by doing this you are promoting Christianity among non-Christians. However, all our works and activities were dedicated to Christians, to lead and teach them. Also, according to the law, my lawyer told me, “Neither keeping a Bible, nor carrying it is a crime. And as a Christian, being in contact with other Christians as a teacher is not illegal!” However, I was charged with these things and arrested because of carrying Bibles as well as for leading house churches.

- Do Christian converts in Iran face any restrictions for going to church? If so, what are they?

I think Christian converts have problems going to church for various reasons. Many factors taken together cause these problems. One of these is having a non-Christian family. In the first place non-Christian families can cause problems for Christian converts to go to church.

Second is the limited number of official churches in Iran and their distance from Christians’ homes. With more than 12 million people in Tehran, the number of churches in this huge city is less than the number of fingers on your hand. And the reason for this is that the Islamic regime of Iran does not allow Farsi-language churches to operate and also does not grant construction permits to Christians in order to build new churches.

Third is the atmosphere prevailing over the church. Especially, in recent years pressures have escalated and the Intelligence Office of the Islamic Republic has ordered church officials to prevent new-believers from entering their churches or risk the complete cancellation of their Farsi services.

The wave of arrests of Christian leaders, who were holding Farsi church services, is another reason for these restrictions, which terrorizes new Christians.

Identification of Christian converts by security authorities is another important reason. After identifications, Christian converts are summoned or arrested and then released after being interrogated and terrorized.

The next restriction is the order issued by the Iranian Intelligence Office calling on churches to cancel their Farsi church services on any days other than Sundays.

However, none of these restrictions became a serious barrier for Christians, but resulted in the growth of house churches in every corner of the cities.

- With respect to these pressures and restrictions imposed by the Islamic regime of Iran to prevent Christians from attending the churches, how do Christians have their fellowship?

I have personally experienced it. After I was released from prison, I could not be active in the church as I was before. The reason was because all my activities, going to the church and my contacts with other Christians were being watched closely. However, we tried to have fellowship with new believers or other Christian converts through holding house-church meetings. We were filling the vacuum of not being able to go to official churches by going to house-church gatherings which were held underground. This way we managed to partially satisfy this need.

- What kind of place is a house-church? And what kind of activities are done there?

As I said, due to pressures and restrictions against them, Christians turn their own homes into places of fellowship and worship. Generally, Christian converts gather there considering security matters. One person leads the group in worship and they have fellowship there. The activities in house-churches include worshiping, singing hymns, praying, teaching and preaching from the Bible. There are even people who have access to some Christian doctrinal books. They bring their books with them so that others can receive teaching and grow in their Christian faith. Nothing is going on in house-churches but spiritual fellowship and worship.

- While you were still in jail, many news services and media published news about your arrest and detention. From your experience, do these things help the situation of the person in detention? Or do they worsen it? What was your experience in this regard?

When I was in custody, occasionally it prompted some changes in the interrogators’ behavior, giving permission for me to visit my family and call them on the phone more frequently.

When I was released, I noticed that while I was in prison, my situation had been reported in the media and internet campaigns had been launched. Also some interviews had been conducted concerning my situation. Then I realized that it can be a great help to a prisoner’s situation when news about him/her is spread and Human Rights organizations are informed in this respect. I would like to speak about a memory from the time while I was still in jail and totally unaware of what was going on outside.

One day the interrogator who used to question me in Evin prison, came to me before an interrogation session and said in a friendly voice, “What is this they are doing? We have arrested and brought you here, and outside they are reporting this news. Websites write about this, launch campaigns, conduct interviews and then pressure us through Human Rights channels and international community to release you!”

So, as they said themselves, it shows that these kinds of reports work as leverage in favor of the prisoner and at least cause them to treat him/her more favorably. Another positive impact is that it brings awareness to the world about the situation of the Church and Christians in Iran. And people of the world would know about what is happening in Iran. They would know that a Christian prisoner is subjected to the harshest situations without really doing anything wrong or committing any crime and can potentially face the most severe sentences.

Reporting on the situation of such people can be a great help for their release or at least it can reduce the pressure on them and even soften the court’s ruling.

This update comes to us from bro. Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries

Youcef Nadarkhani remains in good spirits in Lakan Prison in Rasht, Iran. In his letter from last week, Youcef said, “I have surrendered myself to God’s will…[and I] consider it as the day of exam and trial of my faith…[so that I may] prove my loyalty and sincerity to God.” At the end of his letter he requests, “…all the beloved ones to pray for me.” You can read the letter in it’s entirety here. Feel free to share it with others.

Our sources in Iran have given us some additional information regarding brother Behnam Irani. We have learned that the beatings are still happening, however they no longer happen on a daily basis, but periodically. Behnam has had intestinal bleeding, or bloody stool, for roughly six months. He has requested to visit the hospital or a doctor and they have denied his requests. Please pray for his healing and deliverance from the bleeding. Despite his difficult circumstances, his faith remains strong and he is joyful.

We do not have any updates regarding Alireza Seyyedian or Petros Fouroton. They remain imprisoned in Tehran and Shiraz, respectively. Pray for their endurance and comfort in Christ as they stand this trial in prison.

God is still moving in Iran. Though the believers face many trials, (persecution from the government and Muslim populace resulting in financial and general living difficulties) they remain faithful and the majority of them do not live in fear. We still receive reports that many are turning to Christ. They are in need of discipleship, prayer, and resources for their edification.

Pastors and evangelists have the need to travel to the believers and also meet their own daily needs. Please consider a gift to our ministry to support the work. We’ve also set up a new way to give online. Every amount helps these believers. Thank you for your prayers and consideration over this.

Source of article The Christian Telegraph

Christians in the whole world should use their condition for challenging the apostasy inhuman rule which can be seen in Islamic sharia and try to support Iranian Christians by broadcasting accurate news about Nadarkhani from valid sources.

According to the report of Farsi Christians Network, which is quoted from close sources to lawyers of Yousef Nadarkhani case, in last three months, no new event was reported about his case due to valid and official sources. The case of this ideologic prisoner is under the process of province revision court and this court still hasn’t accepted or rejected the issued execution verdict which is pronounced from primitive court.

While in last three months, another wave of worldwide community efforts for releasing the convicted person to execution has increased, the informative forces of government are trying to make some uncertainty in the specific area by creating false rumors about this case so that they will be able to reach their goals by covering up the suffocation which is trying to rule on Iranian Christian community.

Since first days of April, one suspicious message was published hand by hand on the internet which was informing about the execution of Yousef Nadarkhani’s statement and this is while the picture which was published with this news was shown a person with closed fastened eyes on the crane and nearby to corded and this picture was published on the internet at April 2011(about one year ago), so it can’t belong to Nadarkhani.

The text which explain this picture in English, give news about Yousef Nadarkhani execution with objections to American leaders and world church because of their silence in front of this crime! The writer of this text claimed that Nadarkhani is the leader of a big Christian group in north of Iran.

Publication of humors about events which has never happened, not only didn’t help Nadarkhani’s inappropriate situation after two years suffering and captivity in prison at all, but also little by little caused the decrease of worldwide attention and sensitivity to this important subject. Yousef Nadarkhani is in a very sensitive situation right now. The publication of none sense and unfounded news about him can put his life in danger more than his present situation.

Iranian Christian community , since the first days of Yousef Nadarkhani captivity in 2010, always wishing and demanding for the freedom of him and all of the Christian and non Christian prisoners in Iran.

Iranian Christians whether inside or outside of Iran, are also the biggest supporters of him by holding different campaigns against the issued execution statement which is decelerated by one of the courts in Lakan city (From Gilan Province).

This activity of Iranian Christian Community is not only for the freedom of a human who hasn’t committed a crime, but also is for confronting with the shamelessly law of “Apostasy” and this is a law that even Muslim jurists are not agreed on its integrity and necessity yet.

The truth is that this ridiculous and non-human rule, is governing on Muslim community for centuries and during the history, even Muslims themselves were victims because of this rule. This law tries to take away the power of freedom of thought and opinion chooses from human, which is a divine gift to human being.

History

From summer 2010, Nadarkhani went to prison in his city of residence for accusation of apostasy and deviate from Islam religion.

An Islamic court in a small city in north of Iran issued the execution verdict for Yousef Nadarkhani because of Apostasy in the beginning of 2011. This verdict was objected by his lawyer based on law and lawyer appealed for the repeal of the verdict.

This appeal bring Nadarkhani case to revision court of province and from that date until now, this court still hasn’t announce his final statement about accused person.

At the end of last summer (2011), Mr Dadkhah, the lawyer of this ideological accused , announce that he is still waiting for the vote of supreme court of the country about his client statement and by this words he was pointing to the comments which supreme court of country should announced due to the request of accused lawyer about the opinion of province court.

Iran Supreme Court by bringing in some inductions on Nadarkhani execution statement sends back his case to province revision court because of deficiency.

One of the inductions which were mentioned by Supreme Court of Iran was that, it is not exactly clear in this case that Nadarkhani was really Muslim or not when he was changing his religion. Execution statement because of apostasy is only correct about the people who were Muslim and then give up from being a Muslim.

The information that released by Nadarkhani lawyer, displayed in a different way by some media. They discussed that the execution statement of Nadarkhani is definite and he is on the threshold of execution.

This issue brings the intensive worldwide reaction, on the other hand Britain and America Secretary of state was also talking about this subject. After a while the declaration of Nadarkhani lawyer shows that his case is still in the step of province revision court and the vote of revision court is not still definite about him.

A while ago, in some media, first from close relatives of Nadarkhani and then from “An American center for justice and law” (ACLJ) was announced that his execution statement was announced to Gilan court, execution department, but the source of this news is not clear.

While, still no news are published about the revision court statement and there are no information available about the objection of his lawyer to this statement and sending the case back to supreme court of country for the exportation of final vote, the sentencing of execution seems unlikely.

“Firoz Sadegh Khanjani” one of the relatives and like-minded of Nadarkhani who is not in Iran, in his recent interview with Persian language medias out of Iran , announced that he doesn’t have complete information about the details of Yousef Nadarkhani recent execution statement and it’s notification.

The Role of World’s Christians

Christian World community can play significant role in this field. World Christians beside the integrated support of Iranian Christians in campaigns which are held for the freedom of Yousef Nadarkhani in the whole world should inform people in worldwide range and make them aware about the unfair apostasy rule in Muslim countries and condemn it.

Also World’s Christians should be aware that their Christian’s brothers and sisters in Iran are demanding for Yousef Nadarkhani’s freedom with loud and integrated voice. Almost all Iranian Christians believe that having no faith on Christian’s doctrine and taught and not passing necessary courses for reaching to priest position by Nadarkhani and the dependence of his relatives to groups who are the followers of Edward Branhaym, can’t be as justified reasons for issuing the unfair statement of execution and holding him for a long time in prison because of changing religion as a crime.

Islamic Republic of Iran is an unpredictable government who violates with human rights of its citizens. The thing that judicial steps are not completed yet for Mr Nadarkhani can never be as a barrier for Islamic Republic judicial system so that they won’t do any in-human action against him. Therefore, world Christians should make more logical and reasonable pressure on their government with wisdom and reliance on reliable sources and news so that world can be the witness of Nadarkhani freedom and abolition of unfair “apostasy” law in Iran.

The jailed Iranian pastor who could be executed for converting to Christianity has released a public letter asking for continued prayers and saying that while he wishes to be released, he has surrendered “to God’s will,” reports Baptist Press.

The letter from Yousef Nadarkhani was translated into English by Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries, an organization that has been working to free Nadarkhani, who was sentenced to death in 2010 for converting from Islam to Christianity. The case dates back to 2009. His first name also can be spelled “Youcef.”

“First, I would like to inform all of my beloved brothers and sisters that I am in perfect health in the flesh and spirit,” the letter began. “And I try to have a little different approach from others to these days, and consider it as the day of exam and trial of my faith. And in these days which are hard in order to prove your loyalty and sincerity to God, I am trying to do the best in my power to stay right with what I have learned from God’s commandments.

“I need to remind my beloveds, though my trial … has been so long, and as in the flesh I wish these days to end, yet I have surrendered myself to God’s will.”

Without naming names or countries, Nadarkhani acknowledged that “various churches” and “famous politicians” have asked for his release and that human rights groups worldwide have sided with him. Officials with the United States and United Kingdom have called for his release.

“I do believe that these kind of activities can be very helpful in order to reach freedom, and respecting the human rights in a right way can bring forth great results in this,” Nadarkhani wrote.

But Nadarkhani, again without mentioning names, seemed to criticize Florida pastor Terry Jones, who in April burned several copies of the Quran. Jones, who pastors an independent church, said he took the action to draw attention to Nadarkhani’s case. Jones’ action didn’t get much attention in the United States but Iranian politicians noticed, and one called for Jones to be executed, The New York Times reported.

“Insulting the belief of other nations or people, whether they be a majority or minority, is not accepted and is an unworthy deed, specifically for those who have this teaching to love and respect others more than themselves and treat them the same as you want to be treated,” Nadarkhani wrote. “Then, burning and insulting is not a reverent behavior for a Christian, but it’s worthy to be in obedience to the Word of God and humble ourselves to glorify God.”

Nadarkhani said he prays for the leaders in Iran to “rule the country according to the will of God.”

He also asked for prayer.

“I ask all the beloved ones to pray for me as the holy word has said,” Nadarkhani wrote. “At the end I hope this be prepared as soon as possible, as the authorities of my country will do with free will according to their law and commandments which are answerable to.”

Nadarkhani’s stance against Iranian officials has inspired Christians worldwide. In September, Nadarkhani was given four chances to recant his faith in court and refused each time. His case then was referred to the ayatollah. The American Center for Law and Justice reported one of his court exchanges.

“Repent means to return. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?” Nadarkhani asked.

“To the religion of your ancestors, Islam,” the judge reportedly replied.

“I cannot,” the pastor responded.

Following is the full text of his letter:

“Greetings from your servant and younger brother in Christ, Youcef Nadarkhani.

“All those who are concerned and worried about my current situation. First, I would like to inform all of my beloved brothers and sisters that I am in perfect health in the flesh and spirit. And I try to have a little different approach from others to these days, and consider it as the day of exam and trial of my faith. And in these days which are hard in order to prove your loyalty and sincerity to God, I am trying to do the best in my power to stay right with what I have learned from God’s commandments.

“I need to remind my beloveds, though my trial … has been so long, and as in the flesh I wish these days to end, yet I have surrendered myself to God’s will.

“I am neither a political person nor do I know about political complicity, but I know that while there are many things in common between different cultures, there are also differences between these cultures around the world which can result in criticism, which most of the times response to this criticisms will be harsh and as a result will lengthen our problems.

“From time to time I am informed about the news which is spreading in the media about my current situation, for instance being supported by various churches and famous politicians who have asked for my release, or campaigns and human rights activities which are going on against the charges which are applied to me. I do believe that these kind of activities can be very helpful in order to reach freedom, and respecting the human rights in a right way can bring forth great results in this.

“I want to appreciate all those are trying to reach to this goal. But at the other hand, I’d like to announce my disgust at insulting words or activities which make stress and trouble, which unfortunately are done with the justification (excuse) of defending human rights and freedom, for the final result is so clear and obvious for me. Insulting the belief of other nations or people, whether they be a majority or minority, is not accepted and is an unworthy deed, specifically for those who have this teaching to love and respect others more than themselves and treat them the same as you want to be treated.

“Then, burning and insulting is not a reverent behavior for a Christian, but it’s worthy to be in obedience to the Word of God and humble ourselves to glorify God.

“I try to be humble and obedient to those who are in power, obedience to those in authority which God has granted to the officials of my country, and pray for them to rule the country according to the will of God and be successful in doing this. For I know this in this way I have obeyed God’s word. I try to obey along with those whom I see in a common situation with me. They never had any complaint, but just let the power of God be manifested in their lives, and though sometimes we read that they have used this right to defend themselves, for they had this right, I am not an exception as well and have used all possibilities and so forth and am waiting for the final result.

“So I ask all the beloved ones to pray for me as the holy word has said. At the end I hope this be prepared as soon as possible, as the authorities of my country will do with free will according to their law and commandments which are answerable to.

“May God’s Grace and Mercy be upon you now and forever. Amen.

“Youcef Nadarkhani”

Watch the latest persecution News from the Middle East including the latest developments on Bro. Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran. This video was produced by brother Jason DeMars founder of Present Truth Ministries. Please visit their website at www.presenttruthmn.com

Watch the latest persecution News from the Middle East including the latest developments on Bro. Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran. This video was produced by brother Jason DeMars founder of Present Truth Ministries. Please visit their website at www.presenttruthmn.com

I’m not sure if anyone knew this pastor or not, or if he was a Message Believer or not. I trust that he wasn’t, but nevertheless please pray for this family for the loss of their loved one. Also, since the Philippines has such a great amount of believers please keep them all and the pastors there in the in prayer while this wave of violence against Christians keep increasing not just in the Philippines but around the world.

Revelation.12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

This article was reported by The Christian Telegraph:

A pastor of a local Born Again Christian Church in Quezon City, the Philippines, was brutally shot dead in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City, by two unknown gunmen in front of his teenage daughter at Wednesday night (April 25, 2012), reports Noel Tarrazona, Special to ASSIST News Service.

The pastor was identified as Wilfredo Germidia.

Media reports say that Pastor Germidia was shot five times in the head as he was about to alight from his motorcycle to deliver newspapers along Payatas Road.

Relatives of the victim claimed that the victim had “no enemies” and had been a “model family man” and they wondered why he was shot so mercilessly. The motive was not known at this time.

The Philippines has a growing number of gruesome murders of Christian pastors. There’s a strong need for the International Christian Community to investigate these murder cases of pastors in the Philippines and call for the Philippine government to look into these unresolved murder cases of Christian these pastors.

The country also recorded the fastest growing Christian converts in the Southeast Asia region because of church’s aggressiveness in Bible studies, campus evangelism and soul-winning programs.

Watch the latest persecution News from the Middle East including the latest developments on Bro. Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran. This video was produced by brother Jason DeMars founder of Present Truth Ministries. Please visit their website at www.presenttruthmn.com

Watch the latest persecution News from the Middle East including the latest developments on Bro. Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran. This video was produced by brother Jason DeMars founder of Present Truth Ministries. Please visit their website at www.presenttruthmn.com