Prison Summons Expected Soon

Sara Ahmadi and Homayoun Zhaveh - Photo: Article 18
Sara Ahmadi and Homayoun Zhaveh
Photo: Article18

Iranian believers request prayer for Christian converts Homayoun Zhaveh (62) and his wife Sara Ahmadi (42), who are anticipating an order to serve prison sentences because of their house church activities.

The couple were on holidays with friends when arrested by intelligence agents. While their friends were released after questioning, Homayoun and Sara were detained and eventually sent to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran. Homayoun, who suffers from advanced Parkinson's disease, was released after a month. Sara was held for over two months, during which time she underwent solitary confinement, as well as severe psychological abuse.

Homayoun was sentenced in November 2020 to two years in prison, while Sara was given eleven years. On appeal, Sara's sentence was reduced to eight years. On March 14th, their case was sent to the government department responsible for enforcement, which means that they may be summoned to serve their sentences at any moment. Their lawyer insists they have not engaged in any activities against national security; their only "crime" is membership in a house church. For further information on the challenges encountered by those seeking to serve Christ in Iran, and to view previously published reports, visit our country report.

Please pray that God will empower, encourage and protect Homayoun and Sara during this difficult time. May He give Homayoun the physical healing and strength needed for the sentencing ahead, and provide emotional healing to Sara from the trauma of psychological abuse she previously endured in prison. Ask God to work mightily in the hearts of the Iranian authorities so they would stop persecuting Christians for the peaceful practise of their faith and extend mercy to this faithful couple by overturning the charges against them.

  • Current Ministry Fund

    By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Designation
    Persecuted

    Population
    87,590,873 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity
    Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

    Religion (%)
    Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)

    Leader
    Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)

    Government type
    Theocratic republic

    Legal system
    Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Iran

    As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.

Iran News

  • Armenian Christian Faces Ten-Year Sentence
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Photo: Article18

    Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who went to Iran for vacation in August 2023. While the Christian couple and their two children were having dinner at a friend's house, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the property. The authorities took the Christian family to the home of Elisa's grandmother, where the believers had been staying, and proceeded to search the residence. During the raid, Christian books and other personal belongings were confiscated. The couple was then taken to Evin Prison where they faced interrogation and intense psychological torture.