Andrew Brunson

A Turkish court added three new charges against imprisoned EPC Teaching Elder Andrew Brunson on August 24. The charges include gathering state secrets for espionage, attempting to overthrow the Turkish parliament and government, and to change the constitutional order.

According to a report from the World News Group, Brunson could face up to four consecutive life sentences if convicted. The article quoted Brunson as saying during court proceedings, “I am a defender of Jesus Christ. I am a religious man who builds a church and does it in the knowledge of the state. I will never support any Islamic movement.”

“We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to ‘pray without ceasing,’” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Please do not stop praying for Andrew. He and his family need it more than ever.”

Brunson has been held since October 2016, and has been charged in a separate Turkish court with membership in the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), the network of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen whom Turkish authorities blame for masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt.