We originally posted the story of Pastor Nardarkhani over a year ago.  It has been a while since we were able to update the status of Pastor Youcef.  Good news GREAT NEWS comes today…..  FREEDOM !!  What an amazing testimony to faith…

Hat Tip WeeWeed (Fox News) Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was originally sentenced to death in  his native country for his Christian faith, was acquitted of apostasy charges  and released from custody.

Nadarkhani, 32, was imprisoned for three years and waiting execution for  refusing to renounce his Christian faith. His charges were lowered to  evangelizing to Muslims, which carried a three-year sentence. He was released  with time served, according to the American Center for Law and Justice, a  Washington-based watchdog group that had been campaigning for the pastor’s  release.

“Today our sources in Iran reported that Pastor Youcef was acquitted of  apostasy and released from prison. After languishing in prison for almost three  years, he has been reunited with his family,” Jordan Sekulow, executive director  of ACLJ said in a statement to FoxNews.com. (more…)

Ever since the recent tensions between the West and Iran have deteriorated I have been thinking about this poor man and his fate.   The American Center for Law and Justice said  Tuesday it had received information that Iran may have issued an  execution order for Youcef Nadarkhani.  Please pause and pray for his safety….  Ugh, Ugh, Ugh…..

(CNSNews.com) – In what it described as “an extremely dangerous turn of events,” the American Center for Law and Justice said Monday it had learned from contacts inside Iran that Youcef Nadarkhani, the Christian pastor on death row for “apostasy,” looks increasingly likely to be executed.

“Pastor Youcef’s case had been stalled due to increased international pressure and the Iranian court’s request that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, decide Pastor Youcef’s fate,” said ACLJ executive director Jordan Sekulow. (more…)

TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife) — Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has rejected an offer to be released from prison if he publicly acknowledges Islam’s prophet Mohammed as “a messenger sent by God” well-informed Christians and rights activists said Friday, January 13.

Iranian authorities reportedly summoned lawyers for Pastor Nadarkhani to his home city of Rasht on December 30, to explain the deal. Local officials indicated they would release the pastor if he agreed to make the statement about Mohammed, Christians with close knowledge about the situation explained. (more…)

(The Hill) — Freshman Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) accused Iran of egregious violations of religious freedoms and lashed out at the United Nations for keeping quiet on the issue.
“While there has been some good documentation of this [human rights violations in Iran] by a few in the media and in the human rights arena, there has unfortunately been a cowardly silence by the UN and most of the international community in this case and others,” Rubio wrote in an op-ed published on the website of the conservative magazine National Review.
Rubio pointed to a Christian pastor who is expected to be executed by Iran’s government for abandoning Islam as an example the growing violations in the Shiite-ruled country. (more…)

Speaker Boehner just elevated my opinion of him exponentially…..
(MSNBC) — Iran is drawing widespread criticism over reports that an Iranian pastor faces execution for refusing to recant his Christian faith and return to Islam.   House Speaker John Boehner issued a statement Wednesday asking Iran to spare Yusef Nadarkhani’s life.

“I urge Iran’s leaders to abandon this dark path, spare Yusef Nadarkhani’s life, and grant him a full and unconditional release,” said Boehner, an Ohio Republican.
“Religious freedom is a universal human right,” Boehner said. He said that the prospects that Nadarkhani could be executed “unless he disavows his Christian faith are distressing for people of every country and creed. (more…)

I am trying to find out whether Youcef Nararkhani is still alive, or has he been put to death as sentenced.   I thought you might be interested in this letter he wrote from prison while awaiting his fate.   This letter has been translated from Farsi to English….. /SD

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers. (more…)

(CNSNews.com) – The Iranian Christian pastor who was acquitted just  two months ago on charges he converted from Islam to Christianity and  freed from prison has reportedly been re-arrested in Iran.

Sources close to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, including the British  group Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the American Center for Law and  Justice (ACLJ), say the Iranian Christian pastor was reportedly taken back  into custody on Christmas Day. (more…)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
Youcef Nadarkhani is a 32-year-old Christian Evangelical Pastor scheduled to be executed in Iran for refusing to renouce his Christianity. His punishment under the charge of Apostasy, because of his parents Muslim heritage and for his being Christian, was three sessions of pain to produce his denial of faith. Last Wednesday, after a final session he was asked by an Islamic Judge to renounce his faith. He declined. His fate is unknown however recent developments are providing some hope.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
Youcef Nadarkhani is a 32-year-old Christian Evangelical Pastor scheduled to be executed in Iran for refusing to renouce his Christianity. His punishment under the charge of Apostasy, because of his parents Muslim heritage and for his being Christian, was three sessions of pain to produce his denial of faith. Wednesday, after a final session he was asked by an Islamic Judge to renounce his faith. He declined. His fate is unknown however recent developments are providing some hope.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
Youcef Nadarkhani is a 32-year-old Christian Evangelical Pastor scheduled to be executed in Iran for refusing to renouce his Christianity. His punishment under the charge of Apostasy, because of his parents Muslim heritage and for his being Christian, was three sessions of pain to produce his denial of faith. Wednesday, after a final session he was asked by an Islamic Judge to renounce his faith. He declined. His fate is unknown however recent developments are providing some hope.