Update: Iranian Christians finally released from prison

Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh, Iranian Christians who were arrested by security forces in early March (click here for the story) were released from Evin Prison in Tehran on November 18. The women were released without bail but may have to face a future court hearing. Upon their release, they stated, "Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the Lord and to His people who have prayed and worked for our release." (Source: Elam Ministries)

Praise the Lord that these faithful believers have been released after 259 days in prison! Pray that their example of steadfast faith will encourage other Iranians suffering for Christ. Pray for them as they recover from the harsh treatment they received in prison.

Coptic Blogger in Egypt Threatens Hunger Strike

Compass Direct News reports that a Coptic Christian blogger in Egypt held in prison for more than a year without charge said today he will go on a hunger strike unless authorities grant his next application for release.Hani Nazeer, a 28-year-old high school social worker from Qena, Egypt and author of the blog "Karz El Hob," received word on Monday that his latest application for release was denied. His attorneys said they would re-apply for his release immediately. The interior ministry did not "supply the grounds for refusal" according to Rawda Ahamad, Nazeer's lead defense attorney. Nazeer was arrested by Egypt's State Security Investigations (SSI) on Oct 3, 2008, and sent to Burj Al-Arab prison. Nazeer ran afoul of SSI officers a few days before his arrest when a group of local teenagers visited his website and clicked on a link to an online copy of "Azazil's Goat in Mecca," a novel written under the pseudonym "Father Utah."

Two Evangelists in Ethiopia Released from Prison

Compass Direct News reports that the latest in a series of false charges against two Ethiopian evangelists was put to rest on Friday (Oct. 23), and they were released. A court in Debiretabor, Ethiopia acquitted the two evangelists of insulting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church(EOC) in prison, an accusation made by fellow inmates after the two were jailed on false charges of offering money for people to convert. Temesgen Alemayehu and Tigist Welde Amanuel had been sentenced to prison for six months on the false charge of offering money to people to convert but successfully appealed the punishment; after a lower court in Amhara state had thrown out their appeal on Sept. 21, the State Supreme Court in Bahir Dar ordered them to be to be released after paying a 500 birr (US$40) fine. "Thank you to those who prayed for us," Alemayehu said after his release, adding that he was eager to return to ministry.

Learn about the Impact of God's Power in the Book, If Prison Walls Could Speak

VOM's founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, was alone in a prison cell for three years, 30 feet below the ground. During that time, he never saw the sun, touched the grass or glanced at another human being. Learn about the miraculous power of God that touches us when we need Him most.
Read more here