Andrew Brunson has given a few interviews on his experience being falsely accused and incarcerated. From these interviews, you can begin to understand what Christians around the world face when they are persecuted.
Pastor Brunson has been released from house arrest and on that same day, he and his wife Norine flew to Germany. They are finally home in the United States after being falsely accused and held hostage in a Turkish prison under terrible conditions. Since their return, they have given several interviews (see below) about their ordeal.
Pastor Brunson, upon his arrival on American soil, was invited to the Oval Office. While he visited with the President he told him his story and expressed how much he appreciated what President Trump and other officials did to secure his release. Andrew also asked if he and Norine could pray for the President. You can watch them praying for President Trump below (click on the picture to the left).
The situation in the Turkish jail was so bad that Pastor Brunson suffered an emotional breakdown and required treatment for anxiety. “I didn’t do very well,” Brunson said speaking of living conditions in his crowded cell. There were up to 21 cellmates in a room designed for only 8. He was the only Christian in the cell and that contributed to his high levels of anxiety.
“It was very high stress, and I was sleeping three to four hours maximum a day. And I was really struggling a great deal. I didn’t know how long this would continue. I didn’t know why I was in prison.” Andrew told reporters that the worst of it was the “uncertainty” of not knowing why he was arrested or when or if he would be released. He still calls the accusations against him “ridiculous.”
Norine, who was also imprisoned for several days but eventually released, was a strong encouragement throughout this difficult situation. Andrew credits his survival to God answering her prayers and the comfort he received during her visits. He received news from the outside only through her. She was the only one allowed to visit him and that for less than one hour a week. During those visits, she would tell him that Christians all over the world were praying for him. This meant a great deal to Andrew.
One of Andrew and Norine’s first interviews was on CBS This Morning. Doug Clark, a Turkish translator associated with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) posted the interview. You can view that interview HERE.
Andrew claimed that hanging on to God was his only hope. He found solace in praying for long periods of time to the LORD. Megan Keller of The Hill provides us with additional details on how Andrew survived his captivity in the news article HERE.
Shawn Hannity also interviewed Andrew and Norine Brunson on Fox News. That interview can be seen by clicking HERE.
A slightly older but informative news report from CBS News can be read HERE. This news report will catch you up on what transpired prior to his release.
Finally, you can watch the Fox and Friends interview with Brunsons by clicking HERE.
The persecution of Christians is real–even in NATO countries like Turkey. We thank the LORD that Andrew was released, but many other believers remain in prisons around the world. They too are falsely accused as was Pastor Brunson and suffer similar (or worse) treatment for their faith.
Please remember to pray for those Christians who remain separated from their families and churches.
