Today at Wheaton College (IL) the focus of their morning chapel service was on imprisoned American pastor Andrew Brunson, Wheaton College ’88.

Brunson has been detained for 17 months. He has been incarcerated in Izmir, Turkey. In March, a 62-page indictment related to terrorism and Christian activity was finally introduced. On Monday, April 16, he pleaded his innocence and love for Turkey at a hearing. Also at the hearing were Sam Brownback, the US State Department’s new ambassador-at-large for religious freedom, and Senator Thom Tillis NC (R). His next court date is May 7.

The Stated Clerk of Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), Dr. Jeff Jeremiah briefly outlined to the Wheaton attendance the Brunson situation. EPC is the denominational affiliation for Pastor Brunson. He stressed the need for prayer, Twitter activity with the US Turkish ambassador (@serdarkilic9), and letter writing. He noted Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

A college ensemble lead the students in a song/hymn “You Are Worthy of My All” written last fall by Andrew Brunson during his long pre-trial confinement.

Wheaton College chaplain Rev. Tim Blackmon used Psalm 68 to address suffering and the strength that the Almighty and His Son provide to Andrew Brunson and to each individual. He ended his address on a highly emotional note by stressing that Turkish President Erdogan will singing Brunson’s song on earth or in eternity.

Dr. Jeremiah left Wheaton’s historic Edman Chapel to have lunch with the student leadership of Students for Religious Liberties. Students have been advocating for Brunson and last Sunday evening held a room-packed prayer vigil before Monday’s hearing in Turkey.

Wheaton chapel sessions may be viewed at YouTube… https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9GwT4_YRZdCMUCpFr7RTXinoya5vFqyg .

John Ross

John Ross on Saturday, April 23, 2016 launched XPian News, a part of  Daybreak Communications, Inc. Ross is the facilitator of Aurora Christian Ministry Network (ACMN) and a member of the Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance (FVCMA). He serves on the boards of Wayside Cross Ministries and the Kiwanis Club of Aurora. As a follower of Jesus, he has been for some 40 years a member of First Presbyterian Church - Aurora. He has an M.A. - Christian Leadership from Wheaton College Graduate School and undergraduate at Trinity International University.  editor@xpian.news