Brunson’s sentence was supposed to be for three years, one month, and 15 days. The New York Times reports the sentence was reduced to the two years already served. The reasoning: good behavior.

The travel ban on Brunson was also lifted, giving him the freedom to return to the United States. Within 24 hours, Brunson’s feet were back on U.S. soil.

Brunson Released

Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for over 20 years, was arrested under false charges on October 7, 2016. These included “support of a terrorist organization” and “political or military espionage.” The sentence for these charges could potentially have put Brunson in prison for life. But even fake witnesses could not keep their stories straight in court. Brunson spent two years in prison until July 25, 2018, when he was placed on house arrest.

He may have been released, but that is still two years of his life Brunson will never get back.

(Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

“In return, they then said you served enough time and we’re going to let you go. You can fly back to the United States. So, apparently, a deal had been cut that found a way to get him out of the country. We’re very grateful that he’s been released,” Open Doors USA’s Dr. David Curry says.

Curry believes the economic pressures the United States put on Turkey were a tremendous factor in warranting the pastor’s release. The U.S. sanctions and tariffs had a massive effect on the Turkish currency.

With that said, it has been apparent since the beginning that Brunson’s arrest was a series of political moves. It’s more than likely that his release was, too.

“I give…a great deal of credit to the administration for leveraging pressure around religious freedom. So often, that’s not the case that people see this as a fundamental right. The president saw that a fundamental human right had been taken away from an American citizen in Turkey, and he put the appropriate pressure on,” Curry says.

Upon Brunson’s return to the U.S., the world watched a man who could have been turned bitter by the unjust imprisonment instead appear genuinely determined to continue living out his faith. Brunson met with President Trump upon his arrival in the United States. During their televised meet, Brunson offered a prayer for President Trump. Brunson knelt on one knee with a hand on the president and prayed.

Attack on Faith

Brunson was arrested and accused of being a Christian and sharing his faith, but also of cooperating with a liberal Muslim to overthrow the Turkish president. In other words, Brunson’s arrest has a muddled element of attack on the Christian faith to it.

(Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

“Turkey has been in the middle of a couple of cultures for a long time. My fear is they may be shifting towards an extremist agenda. It certainly seems that way. They’re 31st on the World Watch List*. [It] could be that they’re going to rise [on the list],” Curry explains.

Curry is interested in how Turkey will move forward regarding religious freedoms. Will Turkey allow more freedom for its Christian community? Or will the country continue in a direction which alienates Turkish Christians?

“I think what we in the West often forget is people are not free, generally speaking, to worship around the world. They don’t have our freedoms to pick the church they want to go to [and] to assume when they go to church on a Sunday morning that they won’t be attacked,” Curry says.

Remember the Persecuted

Open Doors estimates that at least 215 million Christians live under extreme persecution. Brunson’s case is only a small taste of Christian persecution across the globe. However, American and other Western Christians have great freedom in their faith. Let us not take that freedom for granted. Continue to remember the command in Hebrews 13:3 to lift up and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters as if we were there with them.

Now that Brunson is freed and in the U.S., what’s next? Sources say spending time with his wife, their children, and finding a new normal in North Carolina will be his focus for now.

“I think [Brunson]’s going to have a tremendous ministry moving forward. I think he has an opportunity to help awaken the American Church to what’s happening and the persecution that’s going on around the world. We wish him the very best,” Curry says.

Open Doors has mobilized many people to pray for Brunson over the past couple of years. Join in on the celebrations by commenting on Open Doors’ praise wall.

Comment on the praise wall here!

Want to know more about the World Watch List? Find it here!

(Header photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

*Open Doors USA’s World Watch List is a ranking for the top 50 countries with Christian persecution is most severe.

Brunson was arrested in Turkey back in 2016 during a post-coup purge that cracked down several sectors, including foreign nationals. He was charged with terrorism and espionage. However, there has been no solid evidence presented. The only things Brunson has going against him are that he is an American and a Christian.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s hearing, Miles Windsor with Middle East Concern says it’s hard to guess the outcome.

“I know the Secretary of State has mentioned that he is optimistic that Andrew will be released at that point. We hope that that’s the case, we are praying that that’s the case, but it is I think very difficult to say what will happen at that hearing. Turkey is a very unpredictable country in terms of the way its leadership responds to these situations and to discussions.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Specifically, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan keeps changing his tune on what supposedly can and cannot be done for Brunson’s case.

“In late September, [Erdogan] said that as the president he doesn’t have the right to order Andrew’s release, stating the judiciary is independent. Now, that statement in and of itself isn’t true given that he enacted legislation on August 27 which specifically allows him presidential powers to release foreign nationals from prison if it’s in Turkey’s interest. Given what has happened to Turkey’s economy as a result of the American sanctions and response to the situation, it is in Turkey’s interest.”

Erdogan demonstrated further inconsistency at the opening of the Turkish Parliament on October 1st when he said, “We are determined to fight this twisted attitude that has attempted to impose sanctions on our country by using a pastor who has dark ties to terror groups as the pretext.”

Windsor explains, in making this comment, “[Erdogan was] signaling a complete disinterest in what his supposedly independent judiciary will decide at that next hearing, troublingly describing [Brunson] as a pastor with dark ties to terror groups.”

The US raised the stakes in August when President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on imported Turkish goods and sanctioned Turkish officials. If Turkey gives in to US demands to release Brunson, Windsor suspects Erdogan will attempt to maintain a powerful front.

“The reality is that Erdogan has done very well off anti-American sentiment. It’s a sentiment which has been growing and developing in Turkey especially as a result of a lot of the state-run media and how that portrays the United States. So any move that will make him look weak to the Turkish people, make him look like he is submitting to the demands of the United States is not in his interest. So if there is a way of creating a situation in which he is able to save face whilst releasing Andrew, then I think that will be welcome all around because it has had a very negative impact on Turkey.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish government’s treatment of Brunson has put some of the nation’s Christians on edge.

“It’s a situation which allows Christians to be presented as agents of the West or potentially having negative links to organizations that would be seeking to undermine the Turkish authorities — all of which is obviously ludicrous.”

On the other hand, Windsor points out, Brunson’s case has enough unique characteristics that make him a more obvious political target than the average Turkish believer.

“It is a situation which is undoubtedly linked to his faith and his work as a Christian in the country. However, it is also very much about a much bigger picture of political relations between the US and Turkey. So I doubt what we are going to see is a situation in which these kinds of cases are going to be happening across the country with many Turkish national Christians.”

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

Right now, the best thing we can do as the Body of Christ is pray for the Brunsons.

“I know that Andrew and his family would really value prayer — first and foremost, that they will all be a tremendous witness to God’s love in that situation, God’s goodness. [Pray] that they would be trusting in Him through what is a deeply traumatic time, knowing His comfort and goodness. But also obviously, it would be great to see justice done. We have a God of justice and we want to see justice done in this situation for Andrew.

“Also, I’m sure they would want prayer for their brothers and sisters in the faith in Turkey — that they would know God’s comfort and protection as well, that this wouldn’t be a precursor to even worse circumstances for them, and that they would be a light shining in the darkness.”

“This is a judiciary matter. Brunson has been detained on terrorism charges … On Oct. 12 there will be another hearing and we don’t know what the court will decide and politicians will have no say on the verdict. As the president, I don’t have the right to order his release. Our judiciary is independent. Let’s wait and see what the court will decide.”

However, Erdogan’s latest statement doesn’t quite match political reality.

“Obviously it sounds right and just and fair that [the court system] should go on its way and…be independent,” says Miles Windsor of Middle East Concern. “However, the reality is that other detained foreign nationals have been released as a result of political intervention.”

Windsor points to German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel and these Greek soldiers as examples.

Pastor Andrew Brunson (Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

As explained here, Brunson has been the center of a political game of “chicken” between Turkey and the U.S. for two years. Read our coverage of Brunson’s case.

Using Brunson as a political pawn probably wasn’t the original intent, Windsor says, referring to the pastor’s arrest in October 2016. Nevertheless, “I think that they [realized] rather quickly that they could use Pastor Brunson as a bargaining chip.

“President Erdogan has mentioned on a number of occasions that he viewed this as a possibility, in terms of the exchange with the Islamic cleric…who is living in the United States.”

Situations like these serve to remind us of the Lord’s control over international affairs.

“We can pray that – regardless of God’s will in this particular situation – that God would be comforting [Andrew and Noreen Brunson], would be giving them strength and encouragement,” Windsor suggests.

Pray also for the Body of Christ in Turkey. Pray that the political attack on Brunson wouldn’t become a wider attack on Christians in Turkish society.

Visit Middle East Concern’s website to understand the challenges faced by Turkish Christians.

Header image courtesy of Pixabay.

Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says the current political atmosphere has believers on-edge.

“All Christians in Turkey are facing some pressure or distrust from the culture around them and even from their government,” he observes. “The government of President Erdogan is moving in a more Islamic direction.

“They seem to be making Christians more uncomfortable, and making the government more aligned with Islamic priorities.”

In its report, ICC quotes government-controlled papers that discuss an abundance of religious freedom. Turkish Christians tell a very different story, one of harassment, violence, and increasing pressure.

One Christian woman told ICC, “My husband was beaten…more precisely, three people wanted to lynch him. There’s also attacks on the church, both verbally and in writing. For example, those who visit the church are verbally aggressive.”

In recent years, Pastor Andrew Brunson has become a sort of “posterchild” for how Turkish Christians are treated by the government. However, notes Nettleton, certain factors make Brunson a bit of an exception.

“As an American citizen, he has a sort of ‘special cover’ that the average Turkish Christian would not have,” Nettleton explains.

“We’re seeing the pressure by our government on behalf of an American citizen…. that pressure is not being applied on behalf of Turkish citizens who happen to be Christian.”

Although it’s difficult, the situation isn’t completely hopeless. It’s a call to prayer.

Your prayers are powerful. (Header and story photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

First, “pray for President Erdogan,” Nettleton requests. “Pray for him to somehow have an encounter with Christ and come to faith in Christ.

“That would certainly change him, and it would also change Turkey because of the amount of power that he has.”

Second, pray for Turkish Christians.

“[Pray] that they will be courageous and strong in their faith, and [pray] for people to come to faith – even for whole families to come to faith at the same time.”

Find more Turkey headlines here.

Anti-Terror Law Affects

This power, left in the hands of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is disguised as security and defense. Supposedly, the new law is meant to take a stand against terrorism. However, when anti-terrorism policies seep into legislation, Christians can get caught in the aftermath. In this case, Christians will likely be arrested under the new law.

“I think anytime you give the government absolute power in a situation like this, Christians begin to get nervous. Turkey’s a place where Christians haven’t had wide acceptance anyway, so they get even more nervous than they were before,” the Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says.

Since the coup attempt in July 2016, Nettleton says tens of thousands of people have been arrested based on suspicions of participation in the attempted coup, including journalists, judges, politicians, and many Christians.

The Associated Press reports over 75,000 people were arrested and some 130,000 individuals were kicked out of government jobs for supposed links to Fthullah Gulen or terror groups. The Turkish government has blamed the coup on Gulen, who denies involvement.

Potential for Increased Pressure

This law could also impact the case of the American pastor, Andrew Brunson. Brunson is currently under house-arrest for accusations of trying to overthrow the Turkish government, and his story is one of the most public examples of these new legal movements in action.

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of World Watch Monitor)

“The rule of law has sort of faded so that you could be brought in and held. And the chances of being able to defend yourself, the chances of actual evidence and rule of law, and truth, and justice—those things have been put on the backburner in favor of control by the government of President Erdogan,” Nettleton explains.

This could spell bad news for Brunson and for his wife.

“The news reports are that the prosecutors are expanding the investigation to include not only Andrew Brunson, but his wife Norine, as well as two retired U.S. officials who have spent time in Turkey, one of whom Pastor Brunson had met with at some point in the past,” Nettleton shares.

Nettleton says it’s hard to know if these reports reflect the truth or if they are another move in the political chess game between Turkey and the United States.

Challenges and Solutions

With that said, it is not hard to draw a line between the anti-terror law and expectations for increased pressures against Christians in Turkey. Still, Nettleton expects Christians living in Turkey will continue to live out their faith. It’s the sharing part that will require more wisdom.

“I think one of the crucial needs for Christians in Turkey is wisdom and discernment to know when to have that conversation, when to take that conversation in a spiritual direction, and when to maybe hold off and wait as the Holy Spirit directs,” Nettleton says.

Pray for Christians in Turkey to have discernment and wisdom as they live out and share their faith. Continue praying for the safety and release of Brunson and his wife. Ask God to encourage Christians in Turkey, especially the Brunsons.

Want to act? Consider calling your Congress representatives. Let your government officials know that Brunson’s arrest and detainment matters to you.

“We know from our contacts in Washington D.C. as well as our contacts around the world, that really does make a difference,” Nettleton shares. “I would encourage people to pray, but also then have a voice.”

Learn more about how to pray or get involved here!

*Turkey ranks #31 on Open Doors USA’s 2018 World Watch List (WWL). The WWL is a ranking of the top 50 countries where Christian persecution is most severe.

Header photo courtesy of Pixabay

Brunson was moved to house arrest less than a month ago due to health concerns. The Turkish government had imprisoned Brunson in a paranoid crackdown on multiple sectors following the failed 2016 coup.

Ismail Cem Halavurt, Brunson’s lawyer, told Reuters that an appeals process usually takes three to seven days but that we could hear an update sooner than that.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Meanwhile, players on an international scale have turned Brunson’s case into a game of “chicken”. And so far, neither side seems to be backing down.

After Brunson was placed under house arrest, Washington sanctioned two Turkish ministers and announced that tariffs on metal imports will be doubled. Ankara struck back with doubled tariffs on select US imports such as alcohol, tobacco, and cars.

David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA says, “The Trump administration has levied taxes and tariffs on the Turkish government that have really caused financial turmoil with their… currency. This has caused enormous turmoil for them, but I think what it has done in a sense is raise the value of religious expression and raised this discussion. Unfortunately, it has done a lot of harm to the Turkish economy and the Turkish people, but it’s really started with and continued by the carelessness…of the Turkish president in my opinion.

“Wisely, this administration has decided that human rights [are] a larger part of our diplomatic discussion. When you have a case like this which is so brazenly a hostage negotiation on behalf of what should be a diplomatic partner, there has to be punishments and there has to be leverage used to get them to come back to international norms where we can talk about what is going on and talk without threats and without economic impact.”

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

The US government says Brunson’s move to house arrest was inadequate and has repeatedly demanded Turkey release the American pastor. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has implied that he will only release Brunson if the US extradites Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric Erdogan believes orchestrated the 2016 coup.

“This is a case where a pastor is being held… hostage by the Turkish government so that the American government will release one of his political enemies. This pastor now has been through so many court cases recently.”

Brunson’s next court hearing will be on October 12. His hearings have been repeatedly pushed back and the defense is frustrated by a severe lack of evidence presented for the charges against Bruson.

Curry explains, “While I don’t understand all the labyrinth of the Turkish legal system, some of the facts are clear. One of them is the entire case against Pastor Brunson is paper thin. They won’t tell us who the accusers are that say he was some kind of conspirator. We’ve seen the charges that were brought against him, that his Christianity was referred to as ‘terrorism’. There is nothing there against an attack on Christian faith in Turkey and a desire to use an American Christian pastor as leverage with the American administration.”

Please continue to faithfully pray for Brunson, his family, and the Church in Turkey. Christians are under a lot of scrutiny in the Muslim-majority nation, and Brunson’s high profile case is an opportunity to represent Christ in difficult circumstances.

Pray specifically for Brunson’s faith to be strengthened. Ask the Lord to comfort him through Scripture. Pray also for the Turkish Church to be invigorated in ministry and united as the Body of Christ.

Curry also asks, “What we need is some wisdom. We need to pray for that, that the justice system will really step back and look at this case as it is.”

Learn more about how you can advocate for persecuted Christians with Open Doors USA!

Last week’s trial was preceded by rumors that Brunson would be released. However, the courts did not decide at that time to release Brunson. Instead, they sent him back to prison after scheduling a hearing for October 12.

Todd Nettleton of the Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “At the end of the day last week when he was sent back to prison, and the next hearing was scheduled for October, everyone was kind of like, ‘Wait a minute, we thought there was going to be some good news here.’

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

“That good news apparently came [yesterday], a week later…Andrew is being moved from prison to house arrest. He is being allowed to go home and stay at home, pending the outcome of his trial. So that is a huge praise to the Lord, a huge answer to prayer, and shows that some of the scuttlebutt we heard a week ago, even though it was a little slower than we thought, there really was good news coming.”

The terms of Brunson’s house arrest are not clear at this point. However, it is clear that he has been ordered not to leave the country. The World Watch Monitor reported yesterday that Brunson’s wife, Norine, was on her way to meet him at the prison and make sure his release order arrived promptly.

Brunson has been accused of having ties to terrorism and espionage, and of working with the Fethullah Gülen movement which the Turkish government holds responsible for the failed military coup of 2016.

At the trial on July 18, members of Brunson’s congregation testified against him. However, Brunson responded to their painful testimonies with forgiveness. So far, no solid evidence has been produced.

(Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

While this news is a wonderful relief, Brunson still may have a long road ahead of him. By the time his next hearing of October 12 comes around, he will have been in detainment for over two years.

Nettleton says our best bet is to pray:

“I think the first prayer today is just a prayer of thanksgiving. This is something that we have prayed for, that Andrew would be released from prison. His wife Norine had posted on social media how difficult his life was in prison, particularly in the summertime, it’s so hot. It’s very difficult to sleep and rest. And so, I think our first prayer is, ‘Thank you Lord! Thank you for answering our prayers on behalf of Andrew Brunson.’

“The second then is praying about the future. This is one step. He is out of prison, released to house arrest. But this is not the dismissal of all these charges. He is still on trial in Turkey. There is still the potential of a 35-year prison sentence. So, we definitely want to continue to pray that all charges will be dropped and that Andrew Brunson will be set completely free.”

Header stock image courtesy of pixabay.

Todd Nettleton of the Voice of the Martyrs USA explains, “There was a lot of speculation that maybe, at this third hearing, maybe finally we would see Andrew Brunson released from prison as his trial continues.

“That did not happen. There were more witnesses that testified. Andrew was not released. He was not allowed to go home for the remainder of the trial. He was returned to prison after that, and the next court hearing is not scheduled until October the 12^th, so several more months down the road before he has another hearing.”

A Testimony of Unwavering Faith

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released a statement on Wednesday, condemning the Turkish government for returning Brunson to prison, and for the charges that are being upheld against him.

The statement further reads: For nearly two hours during the hearing, former church members testified against Pastor Brunson, making vague, unsubstantiated accusations.  When the judge asked Brunson to reply to the witnesses, he said: “My faith teaches me to forgive, so I forgive those who testified against me.” Only one witness from the defense was allowed to testify.

While this is disappointing, Nettleton says Brunson’s reaction is something to be encouraged by:

“Andrew had the opportunity to testify in the court about the fact that he’s a follower of Jesus Christ. About the fact that that’s why he’s in prison. He also had the ability and the grace to forgive some of the witnesses who were testifying against him, people who had been a part of his church there in Turkey.”

A Trial Without Evidence

The accusations brought against Brunson are related to terrorism and espionage. He’s been accused of having connections to Fethullah Gülen, a Muslim cleric whom the Turkish government blames for the attempted coup of 2016.

However, the evidence for these accusations has been severely lacking. The witness statements have been vague. Altogether, Nettleton says, the case being made against Brunson requires a stretch of the imagination if Brunson is going to be viewed as a criminal.

“One of the things I believe was an email between Brunson and his daughter, sharing a recipe or sharing a video about making a certain dish, and that dish supposedly is popular among members of the Fethullah Gülen organization.”

The logic is that because Brunson was sharing this recipe, he must be in league with Gülen. At best, Nettleton says, this is a laughable argument.

“And yet, here’s a man who’s been in prison now, more than a year and a half, on that kind of evidence.”

This makes it even more frustrating because it reveals that the trial being wielded at Brunson isn’t looking for truth, but for the upper hand. Turkey wants the United States to release Fetullah Gülen into their custody so they can prosecute him—something the United State is unwilling to do.

There’s no telling what the future holds so long as both governments are unwilling to bend. But, the international pressure is mounting against Turkey. And in the meantime, we aren’t powerless to help.

Prayer is a good place to start:

(Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

“We certainly pray for his freedom, and we continue to pray that God will strengthen him and empower him and encourage him, and even allow, just as He did at the hearing this week, allow him to be a witness for Christ. Allow him to talk about his faith, and for people to hear about Jesus because Andrew Brunson is being held in prison.”

Another thing that we can do is let our government know that Brunson’s fate matters to us. Nettleton says that it’s been encouraging to see the United States government get involved. At the first hearing, Brunson had the support of a senator from his home state of North Carolina. The Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, was also there.

More recently, two senators visited Brunson as well as had a meeting with Turkish President Erdogan. President Trump also reportedly called Erdogan on July 16th, asking for Brunson’s release, Middle East Concern says.

“I would encourage people, in addition to your prayers, continue to call your congressmen, call your senator, and say ‘Hey, this is important to us. Here is a US citizen that is essentially being held almost as a hostage in Turkey. What are you doing about it Mr. Senator? What are you doing about it Ms. Congresswoman?’ And let them know that American citizens are paying attention to this, and to continue the action to sort of make sure the Turkish government knows, this is an important case and we are very invested in what happens to Andrew Brunson.”

Header photo courtesy of Pixabay.

A news source in Ankara seems to think so. According to Hurriyet Daily News, both international relations with the US and the high cost of continuing to imprison the American pastor without evidence or witnesses could lead to Brunson’s release.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Image courtesy of World Economic Forum, Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic | Wikimedia Commons)

However, David Curry, President of Open Doors USA cautions, “It doesn’t seem like [the Turkish government] has had any practical considerations in holding Pastor Brunson, from our point of view. They have held him for a long time now. They haven’t had to produce any charges. They haven’t had to produce any witnesses. So I think we can expect to see more of the same, I’m afraid.”

Brunson was detained in October 2016 as part of a mass arrest campaign following the failed coup in Turkey. He was a missionary pastor in Turkey for 23 years. A paranoid Turkish government accused Brunson of collaborating with Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses of fueling the coup. But the government has failed to produce evidence or witnesses for these charges against Brunson.

“They have trumped up charges against this American pastor, always looking for a way to minimize or to demonize the Christian movement there in Turkey.”

While we wait for the verdict from Brunson’s third hearing, Curry speculates, “It’s hard to know now with the trial starting today exactly what to expect — whether it will be a ‘kangaroo court’ or whether the international pressure that’s been brought on by the United States government, President Trump has even spoken about Pastor Brunson’s case, will have the effect of really pushing them towards a more realistic, thoughtful, legal process.

“I think what we’re hoping is that, when forced into the public eye, that the sheer lack of evidence, lack of any sort of proof, and the clear signs pointing towards the political motivation of this will force the case to collapse and that there will be some fairness in the judge and the court system in Turkey that will throw it out.”

Brunson’s case has captured international attention and signaled to the Turkish Church that they may be increasingly unwelcome in the country.

“People have always seen Turkey as a balancing act between East and West; and of course, that’s geographical because of where it is and also because of the nature of their culture. So what I think it says is that the forces for extremism in Turkey are in charge. They are going to continue to clamp down on religious expression of Christians and other minorities in that country, and I think they are not going to be seen as a bridge to the West but more as a barrier to freedom and religious freedom and other political freedoms as well. I think it’s going to get tougher in Turkey,” says Curry.

As believers around the world watch international players and legal forces determine Brunson’s fate, Curry encourages us to turn to the One who ultimately controls his fate.

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of World Watch Monitor)

“I think we certainly pray for Pastor Brunson [and] for those like him. He is certainly not the only one who is in prison in Turkey and in these parts of the world for his faith. He is an American citizen, so we’re aware of it. But this is the kind of thing that I think opens our eyes a little bit here in the West as to what happens on a regular basis to pastors, to Christians who live their faith in a public way in countries that aren’t as hospitable towards religious expression.

“So I think we need to pray for him, for his family of course, and for those like him. I think we pray for strong leaders in these countries, for faithful people to stand strong in the face of the storm so that the Church can do what the Church is called to do — to be salt and light, to help, to serve, [and] to love in Jesus’ name.”

Click here to learn more about how you can advocate for persecuted Christians with Open Doors USA.

(Header photo courtesy of World Witness)

Miles Windsor with Middle East Concern says, “According to some of those who were present, both Andrew and his lawyer were very articulate in their defense and clearly demonstrated that the allegations against him are false and that his continued detention can only really be considered political in its motivations.”

Brunson was arrested over a year and a half ago as part of the crackdown in Turkey following a failed coup attempt. For a long time, Brunson was not given any formal charges and no chance for bail. But eventually, he was charged with terrorism and espionage in collaboration with followers of Fethullah Gulen.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Image courtesy of World Economic Forum, Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic | Wikimedia Commons)

“President Erdogan has on a number of occasions clearly mentioned that he is interested in a swap of Andrew Brunson with the Islamic cleric who is currently in the US, Fethullah Gulen, who President Erdogan suggests is the figure at the heart of the coup attempt that happened in Turkey some years ago.”

The so-called evidence against Brunson rests largely on secret witnesses. International figures and US politicians have called out the absurdity of Brunson’s imprisonment and demanded his release.

“Firstly, it’s wholly inappropriate for Turkey to be making such suggestions and it does imply that this is a hostage situation. But also I don’t believe that international law will allow for such a swap to happen. I think that the US State Department has made that clear.”

Unfortunately, Windsor says, “President Erdogan doesn’t seem to be the sort of president who heeds pressure or heeds advice when it comes to the human rights situation in Turkey. He seems to respond quite aggressively to criticism of this sort. But we are continuing to encourage international actors and influencers to engage with this in thoughtful, careful, diplomatic ways. So we anticipate the pressure will continue.”

While this process is understandably heartbreaking for the Brunsons, the support of fellow believers and political leaders is uplifting to Andrew Brunson and his family.

Andrew and Norine Brunson (Photo courtesy of Open Doors USA)

“We’re pleased that Andrew is encouraged by those who were attending and present at the hearing and also by the fact that he is articulately making a case for the injustice of the situation,” Windsor shares.

“We ask for prayer, that the Lord will continue to strengthen Andrew and that he and his family, his wife Norine and the rest of the family, will know God’s peace and presence. Also, we would value prayer that the Turkish court would uphold justice and reject the allegations of Andrew’s involvement in outlawed terrorist or political groups, that the president of Turkey would not abuse Andrew’s rights by using him as leverage against the United States.”