Syrian Believers in Need of Prayer
Christians in Syria need prayer during that country's current civil turmoil; at least 2,700 people have been killed and thousands more arrested in an effort to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Middle East
Iran Pastor's Execution Verdict Expected Monday; Ruling Delayed
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani learns early next week whether he will be executed for refusing to recant his faith in Jesus Christ and return to Islam, as the court needs more time to consult with the country's leadership, trial observers told Worthy News Thursday, October 6.
Four People Kidnapped in Iraq
Four people, three Christians and one of Turkish origin, were kidnapped on Sept. 21 according to Middle East Concern. They were returning from a hunting trip when their vehicle was stopped by armed men. The vehicle was found a short time later after it had been burned, with the bodies of the dogs inside.
...continue reading this storyIran Threatens To Kill Evangelical Christians Unless They "Repent", Christians say
Militants with suspected ties to Iranian security forces have threatened to kill nearly a dozen evangelical Christians who fled Iran unless they "repent" and return to Islam, well-informed sources told Worthy News early Sunday, October 2.
Iran Says Pastor Nadarkhani Must Be Executed For Being "Zionist"
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faced tense hours early Saturday, October 1, after a government official said he should be executed for being a traitorous "Zionist" and committing "security crimes."
Iraq Christians Kidnapped Amid Heightened Security Concerns
Security forces on Wednesday, September 28, still searched for three Iraqi Christians, a week after they were reportedly kidnapped by suspected militants in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk.
...continue reading this storyIran Pastor Refuses To 'Abandon' Christ; Execution Perhaps "Thursday"
A young pastor of Iran's largest house church movement has told an Iranian court he will not "recant" his faith in Christ despite facing execution as early as Thursday, September 29, for abandoning Islam, church sources said.
Iran Court Tells Pastor 'Recant Faith Or Face Execution'
An Iranian court has asked the pastor of one of Iran's largest house church movements to abandon his faith in Christ and return to Islam if he wants to avoid execution, a church official told Worthy News Sunday, September 25.
Freedom for two Christians in Iran @ $20,000 each
Two Azeri converts from Islam were both released temporarily on $40,000 bail after appearing before two separate court hearings.
Iran Orders 5 Christians To Report To Prison, Group Says
Iran on Tuesday, September 6, ordered five Iranian Christians, including a heavily pregnant woman, to report to prison on charges linked to their Christian activities, a mission group working in the region said.