Summary

SummaryI was arrested and thrown into a Turkish prison for two years, surrounded by constant pressure and spiritual isolation 😔. In the silence of my cell and the weight of false accusations, I felt my mind slipping toward despair. Yet, God moved supernaturally 🌊—a tsunami of global prayer sustained me. I devoured Richard Wurmbrand’s writings, finding courage to lean into Isaiah 50:10’s call to trust in darkness 🙏. My wife, Norine, became my pastor in those visits, speaking truth and love despite the risk to her own freedom ❤️. False charges and high‐security convoys couldn’t shake my faith. Even in the depths of panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, I clung desperately to Christ, knowing He was closer than ever 🕊️.

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After serving many years as a gospel worker in Turkey (now called Türkiye), Pastor Andrew Brunson spent two years in Turkish prison. He was accused, among other “crimes,” of helping plot a coup against President Erdogan’s government and being a leader in the CIA. The reality is that Andrew was in Turkey as a missionary and pastor, working to spread the gospel.

Brunson recounts how God was teaching him to stand during dark days of isolation in prison and wondering why God seemed silent in his time of suffering. Listen as he shares how he poured out his frustrations to God, but ultimately chose to lean into God—even though he didn’t feel God’s presence.

Through those dark days, Andrew’s wife, Norine served as his pastor and encourager, the only Christian he was allowed contact with. She pointed Andrew to truth and sought to give Godly perspective as he was surrounded by constant pressure from Muslim cellmates. Brunson shares how she was “heroic” in standing with him in spite of risks to her own freedom. You can listen to Norine on VOM Radio as she shares her side to this story.

Pastor Brunson also drew strength from the stories of other Christians who suffered persecution. One of those was Richard Wurmbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs and the author of Tortured for Christ and other books. Andrew says he “spent a lot of time with Richard Wurmbrand in prison,” through Richard’s writings.

Andrew tells the entire story in his book, God’s Hostage, which you can order here (affiliate link). Brunson has also released a teaching series helping Christians Prepare to Stand in the midst of difficulties and Christian persecution. In the eight-session video series, Brunson shares practical insights from his own time in prison.

Listen as Andrew expresses his thanks to those who prayed for him while he was in prison – some even waking up in the middle of the night to pray. “It was hard for me to grasp,” Brunson said. “It was a supernatural move of God.” Pray this week for Christians in prison in restricted areas and hostile nations around the world.

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The Voice of the Martyrs – https://www.vom.org
Founded by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand https://www.persecution.com/founders/
VOM President Cole Richards https://www.persecution.com/bios/cole…
VOM Radio Host Todd Nettleton https://www.vomradio.net/host

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Time Chapters
 
02:05 Gratitude for prayer
04:02 Finding hope in Wurmbrand
06:40 God’s silence & spiritual crisis
07:43 Learning to trust in darkness
08:50 Expressing anger at God
10:02 Norine’s unwavering support
12:03 Facing false charges
16:45 Battle with isolation & panic