214 Iranians and Afghans were baptized earlier this week in a joyful service in a country near Iran.  People from eight different Persian-speaking churches gathered together to share the story of how Jesus had changed their life, and to be baptized.

The theme for the whole day was ‘Jesus changes lives’, and this powerful truth was underscored by every testimony. Mohammad was suicidal, but Jesus had intervened. Morad was searching for the truth. He found it when he read Romans chapter three. Sahar shared: “I never thought I would find freedom from my past, but Jesus has set me free.”

Dear friends,

With all that has been happening in Turkey over the last 10 or so days, we have spent time talking and praying with our team on the ground in the country. 

Naturally the attempted coup and subsequent response from the government has brought a degree of uncertainty to the region, which we are monitoring and assessing on a daily basis.

While the situation is serious, exactly how it will impact our work in Turkey in the long run remains to be seen. In the meantime, our work continues as normal with sensitivity to the situation. 
Church services are continuing for all our churches in Turkey.

We have 14 people from inside Iran right now at a women's advanced training conference in Turkey, and a three-month training course begins in August.

Several churches have day events planned for outreach and discipleship in upcoming days. 

Summer evangelism programs continue as planned in key cities.

On a positive note, the situation in Turkey seems to have increased disillusionment with Islam among a growing number of Turks. Several of our churches have reported Turks coming to Christ in the days following the attempted coup. So we rejoice even as we pray that God would make straight our paths. 

I ask that you would join us in prayer for:

• Safety for our people on the ground and those traveling to participle in training events. 
• Wisdom for our leadership as we navigate these uncertain times in Turkey.
• Increased openness among Muslims as disillusionment with Islam grows across the region. 

Thank you for standing with us. Your partnership in the Gospel is deeply appreciated.

Grace and peace,

David
Elam Ministries

From Elam Ministries:

​Dear friends,

Today we have received an important prayer request from the family of Maryam Naghash Zargaran (also known as ‘Nasim’).
 
As we informed you on Monday, the prison authorities allowed Naseem to go home for five days because of her deteriorating health.

Today we heard that she is allowed to stay at home for another 48 hours.
 
Naseem’s family have asked believers around the world to intercede for her medical leave from prison to be extended. They hope that this may lead to her release by the judicial authorities. They also ask for prayer for Naseem’s health to be fully restored.
 
Naseem’s family believe in the power of prayer.
 
Thank you for praying.

​Dear friends,

I am delighted to let you know that Maryam Naghash Zargaran (also known as ‘Nasim’ or ‘Naseem’) was temporarily released from Evin prison this morning (6 June 2016) on medical furlough. Thank you for praying for her. We praise God for this positive development.

Maryam has been in Evin prison for nearly three years on charges related to her Christian ministry, serving a four year sentence.  During her incarceration she has been suffering from a variety of serious ailments, but she has been routinely denied access to the full medical care she requires.

Dear friends,

In addition to Pastor Joseph Babu who has just been wrongfully imprisoned in Nepal for his Christian work, prayer is urgently needed for Iranian Christian prisoner Maryam Naghash Zargaran (known as ‘Nasim' or ‘Naseem’), who has been on hunger strike in Evin prison since Thursday 26 May.  Friends are family are deeply concerned for her health.

Maryam (associated with Elam Ministries) has various pre-existing medical conditions and has developed further serious physical ailments during her incarceration but has repeatedly been denied access to adequate medical treatment. Given her already fragile health, this hunger strike is very worrying.

Fellow prisoners on the women’s political ward in Evin prison have been so concerned for Maryam that on 29 May they forewent Sunday visiting hours.  Sundays are the allocated day for visits from family members, but most of Maryam’s fellow inmates refused to leave the ward on Sunday, in a statement of solidarity with Maryam.

Maryam has been imprisoned for 'action against the national security' since July 2013, a charge which is directly related to her Christian ministry. She is serving a four year sentence and is due to be released in the summer of 2017.

At this concerning time, please pray for:

• Maryam’s health
• Full access to medical treatment as needed
• An early release for Maryam
• Peace for Maryam, her family and friends

Christian prisoner Ebrahim Firouzi has asked for prayer for the church in Iran and for strength for himself as he serves his sentence.  He said he wants to stand firm for Christ in the face of the persecution he is enduring, but he needs support in the form of prayer.
Ebrahim has been imprisoned since August 2013 because of his evangelistic ministry. He is serving a five year sentence, and is currently detained in the notoriously brutal Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj.

“Jesus is our example,” he said, “The Saviour who came among us to be crucified and save us. We sometimes have to sacrifice our freedom to live in God’s love, so I can’t think only about myself when there are so many believers suffering persecution. My freedom and getting out of prison cannot be my only purpose.  We think especially about the suffering of new believers.”

He also requested prayer that he would be able to be a good example before the other prisoners.
​
The courage of the Iranian church is reflected in Ebrahim’s determination to be a witness for Christ even in the midst of suffering.  As God uses the courage and commitment of believers like Ebrahim, the church in Iran continues to grow.

Pray for

• Strength, perseverance and comfort for Ebrahim
• The dozens of other believers also detained for their faith
• Many prisoners and guards to hear the Gospel through Christian inmates like Ebrahim