Good News: Pastor Behnam Irani

UPDATE December 16: Pastor Behnam won his appeal! He will serve the rest of his first six-year sentence (another two years), but he doesn’t have to serve the additional six-year sentence, because he won his appeal.

Pastor Matt Haghnejad and Deacon Silas Rabbani also won their appeals and have been released. They’re now home with their families. Thank you for your prayers! All glory to God!

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

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UPDATE December 8: Pastor Behnam is being allowed to defend himself again in court on Tuesday, December 9th! (This will be at about midnight either tonight or tomorrow night for those in the United States. It was unclear whether the hearing was midnight Tuesday for us, and therefore Wednesday in Iran, or Tuesday in Iran and midnight on Monday for us. Confusing, I know.) Either way, please pray for wisdom for him that the Holy Spirit would give him the exact words to say in his defense. Please also pray that God would touch the heart of the judge and everyone involved, that Behnam’s sentence would be dropped, and even that he’d be released so he can go back to his family! Thank you! It is also believed that Pastor Haghnejad and Deacon Rabbani will also be given the opportunity to defend themselves tomorrow (although this hasn’t been confirmed), so please pray for them and their release as well.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

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UPDATE December 7: Pastor Behnam’s (as well as two other Christian’s [Pastor Haghnejad and Deacon Rabbani]) appeal hearing was held on Monday, December 1st, but so far we don’t know the results of the trial. Please continue to pray that the sentences against these three Christians would be dropped, in accordance with God’s will. Even if the court has already made the decision to uphold the sentences, God is fully able to cause the sentences to be dropped. (All three men were sentenced to six years in prison, with Pastor Behnam receiving his six-year sentence on top of another six-year sentence, which he is currently serving.) And, of course, prayers for the families of the men as well. All three are married, and I believe Pastor Behnam and Deacon Rabbani have children.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

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From Present Truth Ministries (http://presenttruthmn.com/blog/iran/appeal-pending-for-pastor-behnam-irani/):

“In September the Iranian Revolutionary Court handed down an additional six year prison sentence for Pastor Behnam Irani, of Karaj, Iran. This is for the same crime that he is currently serving a prison sentence of five years (six years in total with two separate sentences). If the appeal is rejected this sentence will take him to a very dangerous prison near the Afghan and Pakistani border 45 hours away from Karaj by bus.

Though the current situation seems bleak our sources are reporting that the faith of the pastor and his family remain strong. They have committed themselves to God trusting that he will grant them peace and strength to go through any trial for the name of Jesus Christ.

Their lives are truly an inspiration to all of us and their story is one that should be told around the world.”