ASSIST News Service

• Engaging Iran at the United Nations on behalf of Pastor Saeed Abedini

  On June 3, representatives from the American Center for Law and Justice will again appear before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to heighten awareness of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini's case.

• Arrested Iranian pastor in good health

  Pastor Robert Asseriyan, an Assemblies of God leader in Iran, who was arrested on May 21st, in the middle of a church service, has been allowed to contact his family by a phone call to inform them that he is in good health.

• Iran: Church under pressure from authorities closes

  The Central Assemblies of God church in Tehran was closed on Thursday due to pressure from Iranian security authorities.

• Slavic Gospel Association missionary dies

  Nick Leonovich "now with the Lord"; described as "a true hero of the faith"

• Pastor Saeed Abedini thanks supporters for prayers

  The American pastor jailed in Iran for his Christian faith has managed to get a letter out to his global supporters, thanking them for their prayers while confirming the brutality of his conditions.

• Slavic Gospel Association requests prayer after missionary sustains serious injury

  Urgent prayer has been requested for Nick Leonovich, 84, a senior missionary with the Slavic Gospel Association (SGA), who is now in a coma following an serious accident in Ukraine where he fell down a flight of stairs during a visit.

• Logos Hope heads to the Philippines

  OM Ships International's vessel Logos Hope has launched back into service from Hong Kong following the annual dry dock and maintenance time required for ongoing operation.

• A mother's love for special needs children in Ukraine

  Lena Yushenko's dream for a special centre began when her daughter Valeria had a number of medical conditions including epilepsy and subsequently her father walked out on the family

• Bible preaching project goes global

  Reverend Victor Robert Farrell, who in 2011 successfully preached from the 66 books of the Bible in the UK's 66 cities over 66 days, is now making the project global.

• Bibles for persecuted families in Pakistan

  Aim4Faith Ministries encouraged families affected by mob violence in Lahore

• Deadly explosion at Mass in Tanzania

  Fear and grief rocked a predominantly Christian area of northern Tanzania on Sunday after an unidentified man reportedly hurled an explosive device at the inaugural Mass of a new church building, killing two worshippers.

• California church faces setback in legal battle for property

  St James Anglican Church in Newport Beach, California, has received a serious setback in its legal case and fight to retain its property from being confiscated by the US Episcopal Church.