Faith
Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey Shares the Prayer That Changed Everything
Faith Facts
- Pastor Andrew Brunson spent 23 years planting churches in Turkey before being arrested on false charges of espionage and terrorism
- During two years of imprisonment, Brunson experienced spiritual silence rather than the closeness of God he expected
- At the Arise Asia 2026 Congress, Brunson challenged thousands of delegates to pray the same prayer that led to his arrest
Andrew Brunson’s testimony stands as a powerful reminder that faithfulness to God often comes at a steep price. The American pastor devoted more than two decades to spreading the Gospel in Turkey, establishing churches in a predominantly Muslim nation. His missionary work came to an abrupt halt when Turkish authorities arrested him on fabricated charges of espionage and terrorism — accusations that would keep him locked away for two years.
Speaking before thousands at the Arise Asia 2026 Congress, Brunson opened up about the most challenging period of his ministry. Many believers imagine that imprisonment for their faith would bring an overwhelming sense of God’s presence. Brunson admitted he expected the same. Instead, what greeted him behind bars was something far more difficult: divine silence.
“What I found instead was silence,” Brunson told the assembled delegates, describing a spiritual wilderness that tested the very foundation of his faith.
Rather than becoming bitter or questioning his calling, Brunson chose to embrace the silence as a test. This season of spiritual desolation, he revealed to the congress attendees, became the most important examination of his life. The absence of felt divine presence forced him to rely not on emotions or spiritual experiences, but on the unchanging truth of God’s Word and promises.
Brunson’s message to the Arise Asia delegates carried a challenging call: to pray the same prayer that ultimately led to his imprisonment. While the specific words of that prayer were not detailed in available reports, the implication is clear — it was a prayer of radical obedience and willingness to suffer for the Gospel, regardless of personal cost.
The pastor’s imprisonment became an international incident, with American officials at the highest levels working to secure his release. His case highlighted the persecution facing Christians in Turkey and other parts of the world where the freedom to worship is not protected. Brunson was eventually released in October 2018, returning to the United States after his ordeal.
His testimony at Arise Asia 2026 serves as both encouragement and warning to believers across the Asian continent and beyond. The Christian faith is growing rapidly in many Asian nations, but often in the face of government restriction, cultural opposition, and outright persecution. Brunson’s willingness to share his darkest spiritual moments — not just his miraculous release — offers a more complete picture of what faithfulness may require.
The call to pray a prayer that could lead to imprisonment is not one taken lightly. It represents a total surrender to God’s purposes, even when those purposes include suffering. For Christians in Asia and around the world facing increasing hostility to their faith, Brunson’s example demonstrates that spiritual preparation matters more than physical comfort or safety.
Brunson’s message resonates particularly in our current moment, as religious freedom faces growing threats both abroad and increasingly at home. His testimony challenges American Christians to consider whether they are willing to pray prayers of such complete surrender, or whether their faith remains comfortable and cost-free.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith
Islamic Militants Execute Pastor in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains
Faith Facts
- Rebel militants backed by Islamic extremist groups killed a Christian pastor in Sudan’s South Kordofan state on July 24
- The attack occurred in the Nuba Mountains region, an area known for ongoing persecution of Christians
- Additional church members were abducted during the same militant raid
Islamic extremist-backed militants executed a Christian pastor and abducted several others in a violent raid in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains region. The attack, which took place in South Kordofan state, represents the latest assault on religious freedom in a region where Christians have faced systematic persecution.
Local church sources confirmed the martyrdom of the pastor, whose faithfulness to the Gospel cost him his life at the hands of rebel forces aligned with radical Islamic groups. The brutal killing underscores the dangerous reality facing Christian communities throughout Sudan, where believers continue to worship despite threats to their safety and lives.
The Nuba Mountains have long been a battleground where Christians face violence and oppression from forces seeking to impose Islamic law and eliminate Christian presence. Believers in the region demonstrate extraordinary courage, maintaining their witness for Christ even as they endure kidnappings, executions, and forced displacement.
This attack follows a pattern of religious persecution that has plagued Sudan for decades, with Christian pastors and church leaders frequently targeted for their refusal to abandon their faith. The abduction of additional church members during the raid raises urgent concerns about their welfare and the need for international intervention to protect religious minorities.
The persecution of Christians in Sudan demands the attention and prayers of believers worldwide. American Christians must remain vigilant in advocating for our brothers and sisters facing martyrdom and standing firm in support of religious freedom as a fundamental human right that transcends borders.
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Faith
Spanish Pastor Issues Urgent Prayer Call Amid Border Crisis
Faith Facts
- An evangelical pastor in Ceuta, Spain is calling on Christians worldwide to intercede in prayer as a migration crisis unfolds in the Spanish enclave
- Thousands of migrants surged into the city, creating chaos for residents and overwhelming local authorities before many were turned back
- The death toll continues to rise as the city works to restore order and address humanitarian concerns at its border
A Christian leader in the Spanish city of Ceuta is mobilizing the global Church to pray as his community grapples with the aftermath of a massive migrant surge. The evangelical pastor’s call comes as the enclave slowly returns to normalcy following days of upheaval that left residents shaken and authorities scrambling to respond.
The crisis in Ceuta highlights the ongoing challenges facing border communities and the need for wisdom, compassion, and divine intervention. The pastor is asking believers to lift up not only the migrants who made the dangerous journey, but also the local residents whose lives were disrupted and the officials tasked with managing an impossible situation.
As families in Ceuta work to rebuild their sense of security and normalcy, the Christian community is being reminded of its calling to pray for those in authority and for the vulnerable. The pastor’s appeal reflects a biblical approach to crisis — one that acknowledges both the rule of law and the dignity of every human life.
The death toll from the incident continues to climb, underscoring the human cost of border chaos and failed migration policies. Many migrants who entered the city have since been turned back, but the impact on the community remains significant.
Christian leaders emphasize that prayer is not a passive response but a powerful tool for change. They are calling on believers to pray for governmental wisdom, protection for vulnerable populations, and lasting solutions that honor both national sovereignty and human dignity.
The situation in Ceuta serves as a reminder that border security and humanitarian concerns are not mutually exclusive. Faith communities have a unique opportunity to model compassionate engagement while supporting lawful immigration processes and the safety of citizens.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith
German Evangelicals Issue Urgent Peace Call Amid War Fears Spreading Across Europe
Faith Facts
- The Evangelical Alliance in Germany is celebrating its historic legacy while calling for urgent peacebuilding efforts
- The appeal comes as war in Ukraine raises fears of conflict spreading across the European continent
- German evangelical leaders are emphasizing the church’s responsibility to be peacemakers during times of international crisis
The Evangelical Alliance in Germany is marking a significant milestone this year with commemorative celebrations and a powerful public statement calling Christians to the work of peacemaking. The appeal comes at a critical moment as war continues to rage in Ukraine and European leaders express growing concerns about regional stability.
The Evangelische Allianz in Deutschland (EAD) is using this anniversary year to remind believers that the biblical mandate for peacebuilding has never been more urgent. With tensions escalating across the continent and military conflicts threatening to expand beyond current borders, German evangelical leaders are stepping forward with a faith-based vision for reconciliation and peace.
The timing of this call reflects the deep anxiety many Europeans feel about the trajectory of current conflicts. As the war in Ukraine enters another year with no clear resolution in sight, Christian leaders are emphasizing that the church must be a voice for peace even when political solutions seem distant.
The Evangelical Alliance’s statement represents a commitment to biblical principles in the face of geopolitical turmoil. Rather than retreating from difficult conversations about war and peace, these German Christians are engaging the moment with courage and conviction rooted in Scripture.
This peacebuilding emphasis also speaks to the broader role of evangelical Christians in European society. At a time when secular voices dominate most policy discussions, the Alliance is asserting that faith communities have both a right and a responsibility to speak into matters of war, conflict resolution, and international relations.
The celebration of the Alliance’s legacy provides historical context for this modern call to action. For generations, evangelical Christians in Germany have worked to promote gospel truth alongside social responsibility, demonstrating that faithfulness to Christ includes concern for justice and peace in the public square.
The fears of war spreading beyond Ukraine are not unfounded, making the Alliance’s statement particularly timely. European military analysts and political leaders have warned that the conflict could destabilize neighboring regions, drawing more nations into direct confrontation and threatening the peace that has generally characterized Europe since World War II.
German evangelicals are positioned uniquely to speak into this moment given their nation’s complex history with war and reconciliation. Their voice carries weight both because of Germany’s central role in European affairs and because of the church’s witness through the darkest chapters of the twentieth century.
The Evangelical Alliance’s public statement serves as a reminder that Christians are called to be peacemakers not as a political strategy but as a reflection of the gospel itself. This theological foundation distinguishes the church’s voice from purely pragmatic or ideological approaches to conflict resolution.
As commemorative events continue throughout the year, the Alliance is not simply looking backward with nostalgia but forward with purpose. The combination of historical reflection and contemporary urgency creates a powerful witness to the enduring relevance of Christian faith in addressing society’s most pressing challenges.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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