Pastor in Prison Testifies of Salvation in Christ

Friday, January 28, 2011

Pastor Behnam Irani Released

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service 
http://www.assistnews.net/ansarticle.asp?URL=Stories/2011/s11010189.htm

Pastor Irani (Photo: FCNN)

IRAN (ANS) -- An Iranian Christian pastor has been released from prison on bail.

According to Jason DeMars of www.presenttruthmn.com, as of Thursday, January 27, 2011, brother Behnam Irani was released.

In an e-mail update to ANS, DeMars said: “He is now free. We do not currently know how this ties in with his recent conviction and the process of appealing it. When we have more news I will let you know.”

Pastor Behnam Irani had been convicted of “actions against the Order.” DeMars said this means Irani organized house church meetings and other Christian activities.

In an earlier e-mail update, DeMars said that at around 2:00 AM Central Standard Time, 11:00 AM in Iran (Jan. 26, 2011), Behnam was summoned for a meeting with the security service and subsequently arrested. Pastor Behnam is a husband and father of two children.

DeMars then goes on to remind those praying for brother Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani that he will stand trial on February 5 2011. 

“Please continue to pray for him, his family and those holding him in prison,” he said. “Let not your prayers be half-hearted, but let them rise up to God in fervent sincerity, knowing what great effect they have in battling against the devil.” 

DeMars said that he recently learned of the testimony of one brother who was in prison in Iran.

“He stated that the first day he was incarcerated he was quite disoriented, then he began to think about Job who was put through a test to prove how faithful he was regardless of his circumstances. He thought to himself, ‘Am I faithful like Job?’ He said to himself, ‘I do not know, but Lord give me strength to endure this trial.’ From that time on he had such a peace, and it became a great experience for him when he was in prison. Everywhere they brought him he was testifying of salvation in Christ.” 

DeMars concluded: “This encouraged and inspired me to be bolder in my witness for Christ. I hope it does the same for you, regardless of what happens to us, may we be faithful witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.”