Brazilian Churches Cry Out for Pastor Youcef’s Freedom

By 

Filipe Coelho

|
July 30, 2012

3 min read

Middle East

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On July 8th, the 1,000th day of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s illegal imprisonment in Iran, Pastor Silmar Coelho of Brazil recorded a video asking churches around the world to raise an outcry for Pastor Youcef’s life. You can watch the video (in Portuguese) here.

The Gospel Truth site, with the support of Pastor Malafaia Silas, has highlighted the prayer of a thousand days. 

It is crucial that we continue to mobilize for Pastor Youcef. The Iranian government needs to know that millions in the world are against this injustice.

As Pastor Silmar Coelho told the people of Brazil, “If we do not fight for the right to preach, it will end in silencing. Pastor Youcef must be released.”

Iranian Christian Pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, was charged, convicted and sentenced to death for apostasy - for becoming a Christian. When Iranian officials demanded that he deny his faith in Jesus Christ or face death, he replied: "I cannot” deny my faith. He was arrested illegally and separated from his wife and two children since 2009.

Youcef Nadarkhani wrote an open letter thanking "all those concerned" about his situation and asking for prayers. The letter was written in early May 2012 and is the first time in almost a year that Pastor Youcef has spoken publicly about his unlawful imprisonment in Iran.

He encourages members of his congregation and supporters from around the world saying that it is in "perfect health" and urges them to continue to have faith in God. He specifically thanked everyone who "asked for his release, have campaigned for human rights against the charges" against him, and he urged everyone to "pray for me."

Below are some videos (in Portugese) we have received from the people of Brazil. Thanks to all who cooperate with the Brazilian Center for Law & Justice (BCLJ), the ACLJ’s international affiliate in Brazil, in favor of freedom for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

We are fighting to save his life and win his freedom. We need your voice in this fight; your voice is very important to Pastor Youcef today.

Today he is still alive because of international pressure on Iran; people around the world are raising their voices, demanding that his life be spared. We need to maintain this pressure. You can join us by lending your voice to Pastor Youcef.

If you have Twitter, sign up to Tweet for Youcef today and allow us to tweet once a day Pastor Youcef’s case through your Twitter account.