Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Sees His Family [UPDATE]

II Timothy 2:15

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani spent his 35th birthday in prison in Iran, illegally detained and facing execution for his faith. American Center for Law & Justice [ACLJ] sources in Iran have confirmed that Pastor Youcef was allowed to see his entire family on his birthday. This was a rare family reunion in the jail where he has been held for more than two and a half years since he was arrested for questioning the Muslim indoctrination of his children and later charged and convicted of apostasy.

He was also able to visit with his local Iranian attorneys, an especially rare and important meeting as he faces impending execution for his faith. One of the biggest obstacles in fighting for Pastor Youcef’s freedom is the limited access that this illegally imprisoned pastor, who essentially sits on death row, has with his attorneys.

The ACLJ’s Tweet for Youcef campaign in both English and Portuguese continues to grow with daily tweets about the Christian pastor. The ACLJ is continuing to work aggressively with national and international leaders in the fight to save Pastor Youcef’s life. Please continue to pray for his release. Sources for the ACLJ in Iran have confirmed  that Pastor Youcef was still alive as of April 17, 2012.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani never practiced the Muslim faith and converted to Christianity at age 19, becoming a pastor later. But the courts say that since his mother and father were practicing Muslims, he must recant his Christian faith or die. So far, in three court appearances, he has refused to do so – risking execution at any moment.

According to a court report, the judges told him to repent.

Youcef replied, “Repent, What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?”

The judges answered, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.”

To which Yousef replied, “I cannot.”

The Iranian Supreme Court often acts quickly in administering the death penalty. Continue to pray for Pastor Youcef!

Courtesy of American Center for Law & Justice, Newsmax, Reuters