Palestine: minor incident with priest
Christians in Jerusalem and Bethlehem are thankful for the reconciliatory response to a recent incident involving a Franciscan priest in Bethlehem, but are concerned that a minor incident has become exaggerated and politicized. On Friday 1 June, Father Fadi Shallufi...
Iran: Arrest and detention of “Church of Iran” member
Prayer has been requested for Mohammadali Yassaghi, a member of the 'Church of Iran', who is being held in Babol Prison in Mazandaran Province, North Iran. The self-styled 'Church of Iran' is an Iranian faith movement with a non-conventional understanding of the...
Algeria: Increasing government pressure on churches and Christians
Algerian Christians ask for continued prayer in the face of increasing pressure by the government on the Church and Christians. Since November 2017, a committee of officials has been conducting church inspections. Although the declared purpose of inspections is to...
Iran: Update on appeal hearing for Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh
This morning (9 May) there was an appeal hearing for Assyrian Christian Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, wife of pastor Victor Bet Tamraz. On 6 January, Shamiram was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by Judge Ahmadzade of Tehran Revolutionary Court for acting against...
Turkey: second hearing for Andrew Brunson
Christians in Turkey request further prayer for Andrew Brunson following his second court hearing on 7 May. The court listened to the testimonies of witnesses, but three of the witnesses submitted by the defense were refused permission to testify on the grounds that...
Iran: Appeal hearing for Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh
Iranian Christians request prayer for an appeal hearing for Assyrian Christian Shamiram Isavi Khabizeh, wife of pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, on 9 May. On 6 January, Shamiram was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Judge Ahmadzade of Tehran Revolutionary Court for...
Turkey: Upcoming second hearing for Andrew Brunson
Christians in Turkey request further prayer for Andrew Brunson, the American pastor imprisoned in Turkey since October 2016, as he prepares for his next court hearing on 7 May. Andrew faces charges related to terrorism and espionage that could result in a total prison...
Iran: appeal unsuccessful for Rasht Christian converts
Iranian Christians request prayer for four Christian converts who have finally received the court decision following an appeal court hearing on 13 December 2017. Yesterday (2 May) the lawyer representing Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser...
Iran: Appeal hearing for Christians with heavy sentences
Iranian Christians are encouraged following an appeal hearing for Christian converts, Hadi Asgari and Amin Nader Afshari, and Assyrian pastor Victor Bet Tamraz. The first appeal hearing, which had been postponed, took place today (25 April). Two judges oversaw the...
Iran: Christian convert in Evin Prison
Iranian Christians request prayer for Aziz Majidzadeh (54) held in Evin Prison, Tehran. According to Kiaa Aalipour of Article 18, speaking to World Watch Monitor, on 2 March security forces arrested a Christian convert in his home and forced him to go to a workshop...
Turkey: Andrew Brunson appears in court
Today (16 April) American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was originally arrested on 7 October 2016, appeared in court in Izmir, Turkey, to face charges related to terrorism and espionage that could result in a total prison sentence of 35 years. Last week, as part of...
Turkey: Andrew Brunson court hearing
Family and friends of pastor Andrew Brunson, the American pastor imprisoned in Turkey since October 2016, request renewed prayer ahead of his court appearance on 16 April 2018. Andrew’s wife, Norine, thanks the many people praying and writes: “I believe that this is a...