On October 7, EPC teaching elder Andrew Brunson will have been imprisoned in Turkey for one year. To mark the date, the denomination is issuing a Call to Prayer and Fasting for the weekend of October 7-8.

“We are asking everyone in the EPC to consider fasting and praying for Andrew on Saturday, October 7,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Also, we ask that our churches pray for Andrew and Norine during their worship services on Sunday, October 8.”

To help facilitate a corporate prayer, a bulletin insert is available in printable pdf format on the EPC website that includes Scripture prayers, as well as a specific prayer for the Brunson family. The bulletin insert—which is available in two sizes—was developed by Christ Community Church in Montreat, N.C. (the Brunsons’ home church) and the EPC Communications Department.

Brunson and his wife, Norine, have lived in Turkey since 1993. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church in the coastal city of Izmir. He faces charges of espionage, acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrowing the Turkish parliament, and membership in an armed terroristic organization.