Three Pastors Summoned to Prison in Iran

Shiraz Prison

Three pastors have been called to report to prison in Shiraz within the next 30 days: Parviz Khalaj, Mohammed “William” Belyad, and Behrouz Sadegh Khandjani. Parviz has two convictions for crimes against the order and is to serve two years. William Belyad was previously convicted of crimes against the order and sentenced to 5 years in prison. He will serve a total of 6 years. Behrouz is expected to serve one year in prison.

Each of these brothers has a family that will need our prayers as well. Parviz is married to Elahe and they have a 10 year old son named Samuel. William is married to Nazly and they have a one month old son named Ariel. Behrouz is married to Miriam and they have a 7 year old daughter named Esperance.

Please pray that God makes a way of escape for them so that they can continue in the ministry.

Based upon past experience Christmas is a time of increased persecution in Iran. I ask that as you prepare for the Christmas season you remember our Iranian brothers and sisters in prayer.

Five Iranian Believers Must Report to Prison to Serve One Year Sentence

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service



SHIRAZ, IRAN (ANS) -- The five Iranian Christian believers and ministers who were convicted of crimes against the Islamic Order on March 8, 2011 in Shiraz, Iran have been told to report to prison immediately to serve a one-year prison sentence.


According to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries (www.presenttruthmn.com ) their names are: Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, Mehdi "Petros" Furutan, Mohammed "William" Belyad, Nazly Belyad, and Parviz Khalaj.

DeMars told ANS that Nazly is about seven months pregnant.

"This absolutely breaks our heart. Please pray for these brothers, our sister, and the little baby that is growing inside of her.

"We ask that you pray for miracles to take place so that she does not have to be in prison," he said.

ASSIST News will provide further details as they become available.

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** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of th e National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter.