Impact Blog
A weekly journal and interactive discussion with Peter.
Also check out our Video Log
RSS Feed
Stunning Reversal in Iran’s Supreme Court; Your voice counts
Written by Peter Youngren on October 19th 2011This article was published in the St.Catharines Standard.
Until just a few days ago, Iranian Christian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was languishing in jail, expecting his imminent execution, having been found guilty of apostasy and numerous other crimes. This week’s stunning reversal in Iran’s Supreme Court is fresh evidence of the power of activism. For several months thousands of Christians and non-Christians have made their voices heard to their political representatives and Iranian embassies around the world, until Iran’s supreme religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini became involved, and now the Supreme Court has granted a new trial for Nadarkhani.
The pastor was first arrested in October 2009 for protesting. His charge was later changed to apostasy, or preaching the Christian message to Muslims. At first he was found guilty in a lower court, and then his case was referred to the Supreme Court where officials gave Nadarkhani the ultimatum: “Renounce your faith or die”. After Nadarkhani, on three separate occasions, refused to renege on his faith in Jesus Christ, the Supreme Court passed the case back to the lower court requesting more information about Nadarkhani practicing Islam after the age of 15, which would strengthen the government’s case of apostasy.
According to Iran’s official law, the falling away from Islam is not a crime, and certainly not punishable by death, so in addition to the charge of being an evangelizer, Nadarkhani was also indicted for being a Zionist, an extortioner, and a rapist. During the months of ‘kangaroo court’, individuals around the world intensified the pressure making their voices heard in a protest against the unjust treatment of the pastor. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote a letter, co-signed by 39 members of Congress, asking for the release of the pastor. From Brazil to Denmark to Australia, Christians contacted Iranian embassies, sometimes meeting rude rejection, but nevertheless making their outrage known.
The pressure became so great the Iranian lower court appealed to Ayatollah Khomeini, and with his connection to the case, which would most likely never have happened without the massive involvement from individuals around the world, the entire matter became more significant inside Iran.
In spite of this weeks’s turn of events, Nadarkhani’s fate is by no means decided, as no one knows the outcome of the new trial. There is still a need for all, who love freedom, to contact the Iranian embassies as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in whatever country you live. Express your concern and ask the authorities to work for Pastor Nadarkhani’s release.
Whether the Tea Party in the United States, or the Occupy Wall Street movement that is now touching many countries, activists get their point across. We may agree or disagree, but it is not the arm-chair quarterback that gets attention, but the one, who gets off the couch and onto the street.
Christian activism is what Jesus called for when He told his followers to go” into all the world” and give the Good News to “every creature”. British Columbia pastor Don Gossett coined the phrase “If no one reaches, no one gets touched”. In short, it’s not enough to have a passive belief that something needs to be done or needs to be said, because nothing happens until somebody takes action or speaks up. Make your life count. Take a stand for those who are hurting, for justice, and for getting the good news of what God has done for the world through Jesus Christ to everyone.
When we come to the end of our life journey, we will never regret having done too much, but we may wish we had done more. Whether standing up for someone in need, by protests or letter-writing, like so many have done and are still doing for Nadarkhani, or by reaching across the street or to someone in need in your community; your voice and your action make a difference!
Submit A Comment
Comments:
Great post.
We did sign a petition to release pastor Yousef, back in early October when Jay Sekulow, the attorney, announced this petition.
May the pastor be set free.
Daniel
~ Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
fantastic news!!!!!!! praise the lord!!!!!!
Stan
~ Palm Desert, California, USA
I heard about Michael Youssef being imprisoned in Iran for preaching Christ. I did some online research and found out about Nadarkhani. I prayed for a reversal. I’m glad of the new development on his case. However, I’m still confused - what is the corelation between Michael Youssef and Nadarkhani? Was Michael Youssef from Leading the Way - Church of the Apostles,” also arrested in Iran? I heard that the ACLU was taking a petition for his release. Whhat’s the info on that situation?
June!
June
~ Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for posting these stories of Christians in foreign lands who are being persecuted ( to the point of death) for their faith. Until it happens to us we have no idea what it is really like. I pray that God’s Holy Spirit comforts people in these situations and that others continue to pressure those governments who are soooo blind.
Nell
~ Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
No one can change a persons thoughts. And no one has the right to take a persons life except the one who created the person.
Iran can force him but who has the power to see the inside of this pastors heart. We the people of God still choose to forgive and love these people. Only devil likes to destroy the beautiful creation of God. No matter how we look or what we do the Creator loves his creation.and the one who step out to destroy or kill his Creation will have. I pray command those devils inside those people who have become victims to do this brutal act to leave to the place where Jesus is commanding them to go. God is love. Whoever believes in God will not step out to get on wrong hand of God. So flee from this evil act. And release this pastor.
Chrishanthi
~ Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
After reading this most encouraging article concerning a Christian brother’s plight in Iran, I am convinced that “Christian activism” needs to become a more practiced lifestyle among us who claim to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
I am reminded that I am exhorted by the apostle Paul’s words: “Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them.” and if one of our Christian brothers or sisters is suffering, we also identify with their suffering since we are “members one of another in Christ”. May God indeed, in response to our prayers and actions on behalf of our brother and Pastor, move on his behalf. May the truth prevail at his new trial that will result in these “questionable charges” being dropped and our Christian brother being exonerated and set free. Faith in action does bring about the desired result.
Thank you Lord for all those who prayed and by their voice appealed to the appropriate authorities in this matter concerning our Iranian brother.
John
John
~ Brampton, Ontario, Canada
I agree heartily with your blog Peter.
All you have said resonates in my heart as a message of love. Love is an active quality. It is not known or revealed unless it is demonstrated.
Tammy
~ North Bay, Ontario, Canada
This is good news indeed. We shall continue to pray for Yousef Nadarkhani. God does answer prayer and we will hold on in faith….a vision of Daniel comes to mind when he was thrown into the fire…GOD IS FAITHFUL !!!
Patricia
~ Hyderabad, India
John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens.
Lenford
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Yes
I am standing up, as a child of God, for pastor Nadarkhani and for all who suffer injustice around the world. Please keep praying for them as we stand up for the kingdom of God and show compassion at least in prayers for fellow brothers and sisters.
Rest assured of my prayer commitment about this situation with Pastor Youssef.
Thank you Jesus…..and may justice be manifested and injustice defeated as we keep manifesting the love of God
May God bless you and Take Care
Francis
Francis
~ Montreal, Quebec, Canada
As Paul was delivered from prison and chains by an earthquake, maybe God bring you out with a mighty hand.
I stand in prayer for you.
Michael
~ Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Almighty Father in heaven,
I come before your throne and lift up before Your presence our brother Yousef in Iran. We know that we are blessed when persecuted for Your name’s sake, Lord, but show the world how powerful and mighty You are! I pray for the safe return of the Pastor to his wife and children so that his testimony may reach to the ends of the earth and touch the hearts of all who hear. I pray that through his relentless faith and unwillingness to embrace Islam that not only will you bless him and his family, but that you will bless his captors and persecuters as well. Shine in their hearts the love of Jesus Christ that may believe and be saved to Your glory.
I thank You that the prayers of Your children are heard! I thank You that it is Your Holy Spirit working through all the people around the world who are fighting on behalf of our brother and Your dear and precious son, Yousef. It is in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Christina
~ St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Its costly to follow Jesus but we have no other alternative, cowing down is like denying Jesus who said if you are ashamed of me before men, I will also be ashamed of you before God and the angels in heaven !
Rokny
~ Mumbai, India
Death is not a treat for a Christian because we already died in Christ at the cross, now we are alive because the lord Jesus Christ live in us for ever, He give us a new life.
We can not deny him.
Karl
~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
To the Supreme Court of Iran:
Why do you condem a man for teaching good. Why do you stop a man from teaching good to man kind. He is teaching the same words as your religion. Mr Youcef Nadarkhani was given a free will by God the same God you adore. His parents were Muslim, is no reason for him to teach Muslim. He has a free will and he chose to teach another Religion. It is the same but differant words. It will be all the same at the end of time. Your Government tells Mr. Nadarkhani he should follow his parents because they are Muslim. If his Father was a murderer should Mr.Nadarkhani be a murderer to follow his Fathers beliefs? If his Mother was a prostitue should he be a prostitue? No because he was given a free will by God. Why can’t you show the world there is still good people in Government that can encourage good not sin. Show the world that the Iranian Court system encourages good not evil.
Please spare Youcef Nadarkhani. Open your eyes, he is doing good not evil .
Donny
~ Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
I join in prayer with all of you.
Christine
~ Saint John's, Newfoundland, Canada
I pray the peace of God continuing to rest upon Pastor Yousef and that
God places a wall of fire of protection around he and his family the way he did the three Hebrew boys in Jesus name.
Bernice
~ Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Holyl-knowing Spirit we acknowledge YOU are GOD. You are all powerful, all-knowing present everywhere at the same time. All of us washed in the blood of Jesus, ask You dear Holy Spirit to protect and save the life of this pastor and the whole family. in Jesus mighty and matchless name which is above all names. ABBA Father bless all the muslim people. Jesus died for them too. love them and bless them. in Jesus mihty name. Y’shua HA’Mashiack.
Lucy
~ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada