WASHINGTON — Saeed Abedini, the Christian missionary who has been imprisoned for his faith in Iran since July 2012, was among four Americans released from prison today by Iranian authorities, according to multiple news reports.
Abedini, 35, was arrested nearly four years ago while attempting to establish orphanages in Iran. His capture made headlines as his wife, Naghmeh, traveled the world in attempts to secure her husband’s freedom.
She first gained attention among Southern Baptists when she visited a friend who was a member of First Baptist Church, Wentzville, Mo. When The Pathway, the official newspaper of the Missouri Baptist Convention, learned about Mrs. Abedini’s Missouri connection, arrangements were made to bring her to the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in October 2013. During The Pathway report to the Convention, Mrs. Abedini told Missouri Baptists about her husband’s captivity. Missouri Baptists joined in corporate prayer for her family that day and have been praying ever since for Abedini’s release.
“We serve a God who hears our prayers and answers them,” said Don Hinkle, Pathway editor and public policy adviser for the Missouri Baptist Convention. “We are thankful for Pastor Saeed’s release and will continue to pray for his family as they reunite.”