American pastor could face 35 years in prison in Turkey

35 years is a long time. It’s around half a life time for the average person in the UK. It took just a year longer to build St Paul’s Cathedral in London. And it’s how long Andrew Brunson, an American pastor, could spend in prison in Turkey. Why? Because his work leading a church in the Turkish city of Izmir, which he has done for 25 years, is seen as ‘aiding terror organisations’. “There is evidence that shows Brunson was arrested due to his faith,” Andrew’s lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt has said.

35 years is a long time. It’s around half a life time for the average person in the UK. It took just a year longer to build St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

It’s how long Andrew Brunson, an American pastor, could spend in prison in Turkey.

Why? Because his work leading a church in the Turkish city of Izmir, which he has done for 25 years, is seen as ‘aiding terror organisations’. “There is evidence that shows Brunson was arrested due to his faith,” Andrew’s lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt has said.

Andrew and his wife Norine were originally arrested on 7 October 2016 and held in an immigration holding facility pending deportation. Norine was subsequently released, but Andrew was detained without bail due to allegations linking him to ‘terrorist groups’ and accusing him of ‘missionary activities’.

His first day in court was on 16 April earlier this year. Andrew rejected all the claims that have been made against him of links to terrorist organisations and espionage against the Turkish state. He stated that he is a servant of God, and his motive in coming to Turkey was to preach Jesus Christ and raise disciples. He emphasised that he loves Turkey, has been praying for the country for 25 years and has done nothing wrong.

He had a further hearing on 7 May, and his third hearing will take place on Wednesday 18 July.

Signs of hope

As we approach Andrew’s third hearing, there are signs of hope. American senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham visited Andrew Brunson in prison on 29 June, and then met with Turkey’s President Erdogan to appeal directly for Andrew's release. Senator Shaheen has been a vocal member of the senate, proposing sanctions against Turkey over Andrew’s imprisonment.

The senators were received at short notice, while the president was holding an executive meeting, and there was a positive atmosphere around the discussions - these are seen as reasons to be optimistic.

But until the final verdict is given, Andrew remains in prison. At times the conditions he has been kept in have been grim; in one prison where he was held, two dozen inmates are crammed into a cell designed for eight. The hot summer weather has made these conditions worse, and Andrew has found it hard to sleep.

Norine has written on their facebook page: “He (Andrew) has been calmer recently and he is trying to see things through the lenses of demonstrating the value, the worth of Jesus - that those whom He loves and who love Him are willing to suffer for Him.

“He often prays, ‘Father, cause to burst into flame in me the love you have for Jesus, that I may be a fervent, ardent lover of Him, willing to undergo whatever is asked.’”

Please stand with Andrew, Norine and their family in prayer ahead of Andrew's hearing. We have been asked to pray:

• That the judge will order Andrew's release
• That the lies and false accusations will be obvious and that Andrew's innocence will shine through
• That Andrew will be able to sleep better and know God's peace and abiding presence
• Andrew will be able to express forgiveness to his accusers
• That the Lord will have his hand on all the legal and diplomatic efforts on Andrew's behalf.