An Iranian pastor back in prison is looking forward to being released and returning to his family. But as one ministry points out, he's not the only one facing persecution in that country.
Youcef Nadarkhani had been under the death penalty for converting to Islam, although he maintained he was never Muslim in the first place. After intense international pressure, the charge was reduced, and he was released September 8.
Now, Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries (PTM) tells OneNewsNow he has been taken back to prison.
"Youcef Nadarkhani was arrested on Christmas Day. He was brought to Lakan Prison, where he was before, and they're telling him that he must serve the remaining 45 days of his prison sentence of what he was sentenced to for three years for evangelism," DeMars reports.
Authorities claim Nadarkhani was released from prison too early. But DeMars believes he will be released before the 45 days is up, "unless he is charged with something else."
Another jailed pastor is Behnam Irani.
"He's still sick. His skin is a yellowish color. His faith is strong," the PTM spokesman details. "His body is weak, but God has preserved him; God has kept him. Really, with what he's been suffering from, it's a miracle that he's alive to this day. So, that's nothing but God's grace and the prayer of believers around the world."
DeMars encourages continued prayer for both pastors and maintaining international pressure for their release.