Subject: Iranian Christian charged with apostasy

CIRCULATION CODE 3. OPEN. May be circulated to general mailing lists,
outside organizations, and quoted from freely in reports citing "Middle East
Concern" as the source of the information.

Dear ,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus
Iranian Christians have asked for our prayers for Br. Hamid Pourmand. He is
the lay leader of the Assemblies of God Church in Bandar-i Bushehr on the
Gulf coast of Iran. He converted to Christian about 25 years ago.
He has been in prison since he was arrested on 9th September 2004 along with
85 other members of the Assemblies of God Church in Iran. The others were
all released within a few days.

On 16th February he was convicted of deceiving his employer, the Iranian
army, about his conversion to Christianity. During the trial he submitted
documents in which his superiors acknowledged his conversion before they
prompted him to the officer ranks. Non-Muslims are not allowed in senior
ranks. The judge ignored the documents, and sentenced him to three years in
prison and dismissal from the army with loss of all benefits. The latter
meant that his wife, from a Christian background, and their two children
were evicted from their housing and lost their source of income.
Worse might follow. Next week Br. Hamid is scheduled to appear in an Islamic
court charged with apostasy and proselytising Muslims. In Iran, apostasy
carries the death sentence. Br. Hamid is the first Iranian convert to be so
charged since 1993.

Iranian Christians ask for our prayers that:
a. Br. Hamid will be released
b. Until then Br. Hamid will know the Lord's peace and presence throughout
his continuing ordeal
c. Likewise, his wife and two children will know the presence, peace and
gentle support of their Lord and Saviour each day
d. The authorities will see the light of Jesus Christ for themselves
e. International efforts would be effective in bringing about Br. Hamid's
release
f. Across Iran, many would, like Br. Hamid, be drawn to the light, life and
love of Jesus Christ, whatever the cost

I am definately praying...God bless you!

__________________
Noah Samuel