Yay! Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (32) has been acquitted of apostasy in Iran.
Pastor Youcef was arrected on Oct. 13, 2009, after protesting the government's decision to force all children (including his own Christian children) to read the Qu'ran. He was initially charged for protesting, but the charges were later changed to apostasy and evangelizing Muslims. He was sentenced to death in 2010.
The charges of apostasy were dropped in his trial this week, and Pastor Youcef was convicted on the lesser charge and sentenced to three years imprisonment. He has already served this time and was able to be released today.
In 2011, the Iranian Supreme Court offered to release Pastor Youcef if he converted to Islam, but he refused and remained in prison.
Praise God for this wonderful news!!
Matthew 5:10-12
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down
or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.
What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even!
- for through they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.
And know that you are in good company.
My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Keep praying - there are hundreds of others who are still being harassed or falsely detained in Iran for their faith.
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