Iranian pastors to be held indefinitely

Sources inside Iran have confirmed that security officials have informed the court not to deliver an official verdict against two pastors currently being held by Iranian authorities.

According to Present Truth Ministries, Pastors Youcef Nadarkhani and Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani are being denied any outside contact. Neither their attorney nor family is allowed to see or talk with them.

Spokesman for Present Truth Ministries, Jason DeMars, told ANS: "Iranian officials are upset about the amount of international attention this case is getting."

He added: "Since the prisoners are not affiliated with a denomination, the Iranian officials thought they could keep their evil deeds hidden. However, the international attention has forced them to maintain appearances, and thus they will neither deliver a sentence of death nor execute them at this time. They want to hold them in prison indefinitely without any verdict and, in Behrouz' case, without any official charges."

DeMars asks concerned believers to please continue to circulate petitions, inform government officials, share the updates from his website, and alert other believers to pray.

DeMars said: "As you pray for their release, pray also for their protection during this time of isolation, as well as for their family. Both men have a wife and child/children at home who need prayer, love, and support. God is working, and through our prayers and faith, He will get them released by His marvelous hand."
News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.