Iranian forces arrested Rev. Robert Asserian on Tuesday, May 21 as he conducted a prayer meeting at the Assemblies of God church in Tehran where he serves as one of the pastors. Security forces raided his house earlier in the morning, confiscating belongings such as his computer and books before moving to the church to arrest him. He was taken to an unknown location.
Church leaders had been expecting some sort of retaliation against the church. A few days ago, the elders met with government officials to ask for information and clarifications on another pastor, Farhad Sabokrough, his wife and two other church members from the AOG church in Ahvaz, who were called this month to serve one-year prison sentences. Officials told the elders the detainees would be released when the church permanently shut down.
Tension between the officially-sanctioned Central Assemblies of God Church in Tehran has been growing in recent years. The church was informed that it may have to cease all its services by next month. On Sunday, May 19, AOG leaders announced to the congregation that they would soon come to an important decision about the future of the church due to increased pressures from Iran’s intelligence ministry. Church leaders are meeting this week to pray and finalize plans for the total closure of the church by mid-June.
Sources told Article 18 that the AOG church leaders are being forced to choose between closing if they continue to offer Farsi-language services or limiting their services to only the Armenian language. The whole congregation is invited to a service on May 26 to hear the announcement of the church leaders.
“The pressure has become unbearable,” a source told Article 18. “They [the government authorities] constantly threaten the church leaders and their families with imprisonment, unexplained accidents, kidnapping and even with execution. We cannot go on like this.”
The AOG church in Tehran is one of the few remaining churches that offers worship services in Farsi. In 2009, the same church was ordered to discontinue their Friday services, which were being attended by an overwhelming number of visitors each week. In February 2012, the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church was also ordered to cease its Friday services. Friday is the weekly day off for Iranians, and church services on Fridays attracted both new converts and Muslims interested in Christianity.
Sources: Article 18, Farsi Christian News Network, Middle East Concern
Oh God let the blood speak on our behalf.
Posted by: amparbeng | June 07, 2013 at 08:03 AM
I pray the pastor and his flock find favor with those putting pressure on them, that they may be able to continue to share God's message of love and hope in Farsi, to reach all that need to hear...peace and strength brave ones!
Posted by: Lydia | May 24, 2013 at 10:01 PM
Father God,
Protect these Pastor's and Your followers. Bind the strongman and open hearts and minds. Let these people have a Damascus moment! In the name of Jesus and by His Blood! Amen!
Posted by: Cathy McDonald | May 24, 2013 at 04:01 PM
May God gives wisdom, protection, and discernment to these believers. Maybe they are supposed to scatter all over the world and start new churches.
Posted by: Bobbi | May 24, 2013 at 11:55 AM
GOD JESUS is LOVE !
GOD JESUS is MERCY !
GOD JESUS is SAVIOR !
GOD JESUS will not let Righteous in suffer !
GOD JESUS will help Righteous out of trouble !
GOD JESUS will save Righteous go to Heaven !
...
GOD JESUS is LAW !
GOD JESUS is JUST !
GOD JESUS is JUDGE !
GOD JESUS will not let evils do evils !
GOD JESUS will destroy all evils gone !
GOD JESUS will punish evils go to hell !
...
Posted by: STAR777 | May 24, 2013 at 10:05 AM
This is wrong on so many levels, but we all know these days are comming soon all over the world, stay strong in your faith xo
Posted by: Melinda Tate | May 24, 2013 at 08:53 AM
circulate a letter of complaint around the world and let us sign. see the possibility of other countries involving?
Posted by: Liliani | May 23, 2013 at 07:06 PM
Pray the church would not bow to pressure and announce a closure. Satan is always threatened by light no matter how few the light carriers are.
I would have expected the authorities to be satisfied with the fact that the church is in the minority, but alas the thickest darkness always feel threatened by the faintest of light.
BE STRONG BRETHREN IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. People like you are our inspirition in the free world where so many liberties are taken for granted.
Posted by: Umah | May 23, 2013 at 03:49 PM
Thank you God for the persecuted Church. In many ways they teach us how to to live for Christ with total trust. I pray for the comfort of these families while they are going through the tough times.
Posted by: James | May 23, 2013 at 03:41 PM
God, may these people find your comforting arms around them and open their eyes to Your power and plan. Bless them with fruits for their labor beyond what they can imagine, and may your promise: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, You will lift up a standard against them." Thank You for being our Father, who holds us in the palm of Your hand.
Posted by: Reva Ball | May 23, 2013 at 02:26 PM
My heart is breaking for my family of God in Iran. Praying for them, always.
Thanking the Lord for their lives living out a Christ Like life before so many.
Posted by: Daneille Snowden | May 23, 2013 at 02:14 PM