Letter writing Campaign
Write Letters to Prisoners of faith
Letters of encouragement from fellow believers can make a very tangible difference to those in prison for their faith.
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”—Hebrews 13:3
Download your letter-writing packet today
Please consider joining us in writing letters to believers who, like Professor Tarfa, are isolated in prison because of the gospel.
After submitting the form, you will receive an email with the link to download the packet. Click the link to download your digital packet that contains everything you need to write your own letters and even organize a small letter-writing event. The packet is complete with profiles of prisoners and simple guidelines to get you started.
Write a Letter to a Persecuted Brother or Sister
Around the world, Christians are sitting in prison simply because of their faith. Many corrupt governments and discriminatory legal systems target religious beliefs, incriminating people for believing in, sharing, or converting to the Christian faith. In the testimonies from prisoners who are eventually released, we often hear that the most challenging thing about their imprisonment was loneliness and isolation – the feeling that their plight had been forgotten.
This is where you can make a difference for Christians in prison today.
make a tangible difference
Through our Prison Letter Writing Campaign, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in prison for their faith. By sending letters of encouragement and committing to pray for these prisoners, our hope is that these bold and faithful believers would know their brothers and sisters in Christ remember and see their suffering.
Regardless of whether the guards allow the prisoners to read the letters or not, they serve as a reminder that someone, even on the other side of the world, is caring for them. Even if they do not or cannot read the words you write, the simple fact that someone on the other side of the world took the time to write them a letter can make a real difference.
Alone in prison without assurance of a fair hearing or justice in this life, a letter of encouragement from a fellow believer can make a real, tangible difference to someone incarcerated for his or her faith.
Encouragement from a Prisoner
“I received 9 letters and 13 postcards from believers around the world, including Canada, the U.K., Finland, the U.S., and other countries. They were amazing because they contained scriptures and so many encouragements to help me forgive those who had accused me wrongly. The first time I received the letters, I was feeling down that morning. I received a call that I had received the letters. I read the letters over the next few days and was greatly encouraged. I found that the letters went through the headquarters in Abuja.
The prison chaplain and intelligence staff went through the letters in my presence and in front of other prison welfare staff before giving them to me to check for security concerns. They did not let me reply, so I gave them to my wife to reply for me in cases where there were names and addresses. In total I received 22 postcards and letters.
My wife and I appreciate all the people worldwide who wrote to me while I was in prison. The scriptures I received were encouraging and strengthened me during my time in prison”.
Professor Tarfa was acquitted of the abduction charges in June of 2021 and was released on bail. However, he still faced forgery charges until his full acquittal on January 27, 2023. ICC previously reported on the unjust way authorities prolonged his trial, highlighting the discrimination and persecution Christians face within Nigeria’s legal system.
We recently added the following names to our prisoner letter-writing kit:
Meron Gebreselasie (Eritrea) — imprisoned since June 2004
On June 3, 2004, Pastor Gebreselasie was arrested at a police checkpoint outside the capital of Eritrea. His arrest and imprisonment are assumed to be linked to his role as a pastor of the Massawa Rhema Evangelical Church. In May 2002, Eritrean authorities banned evangelical churches in a larger crackdown on Christianity. Meron has received no official charges and has had no access to a lawyer or a trial.
Haile Naizghe (Eritrea) — imprisoned since May 2004
Naizghe, a husband and father of four children, was arrested in May 2004 due to his leadership in a Christian church network. As chair of the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea — one of the nation’s largest Pentecostal networks with around 150 house churches — Haile’s activities became a target after the Eritrean government banned all religious groups except for Sunni Islam, Roman Catholic, Eritrean Orthodox, and Lutheran churches in 2002. Despite efforts to secure official registration, Haile was arrested. He was moved to a maximum-security prison with other Evangelical pastors. Haile has now been imprisoned for more than 20 years, enduring harsh treatment and having been denied family contact. Reports from former inmates describe the conditions at Wengel Prison as “dungeon-like” and torturous.
Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh (Iran) — Imprisoned since February 2025
In February 2025, Gol-Tapeh was detained by Iranian authorities for converting to Christianity. He was arrested alongside several Christians without any charges and sent to the infamous Evin Prison. Gol-Tapeh had previously been imprisoned from 2016-2022. In May 2025, Gol-Tapeh was hospitalized after suffering a stroke during a 35-day hunger strike where he protested solitary confinement. He spent two days in the hospital and was returned to prison. Gol-Tapeh was temporarily moved to another prison in June 2025 under conditions that were “overcrowded and unsanitary.” He was returned to Evin prison in August 2025.
Ksor Ruk (Vietnam) — imprisoned since October 2018
In October 2018, Vietnamese authorities arrested Ksor Ruk for his role as a missionary and religious leader. The Montagnard Christian was accused of revitalizing a religious movement not approved by authorities, and for “undermining the state’s unity policy.” In March 2019, Ruk was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three to five years’ probation. Ruk had previously been detained from 2007 to 2013 on similar charges related to his Christian faith.
Ju Dianhong (China) — imprisoned since late 2016
In late 2016, Ju Dianhong was detained in China alongside several colleagues on false accusations related to “cult activity.” On Dec. 28, 2017, she was sentenced to 13 years in prison after authorities accused her of being affiliated with “Three Grades of Servant Sect.” Dianhong also received a fine of 150,000 yuan (about $21,000 USD). According to Prisoners of Faith, during her trial she asked her lawyer, “Why is it a crime to believe in Jesus?”
Asif Masih (Pakistan) — imprisoned since August 2017
On Aug. 12, 2017, a Muslim mob attacked and brutally beat Asif Masih in Pakistan after accusing him of burning a Quran and insulting Islam. Asif, who was just 16 at the time, was brought to a local police station and forced to confess by the angry mob that stormed the premises. Police took his confession and charged Masih with blasphemy for “desecrating the Quran.”