A Thanksgiving Plate For Pastor Saeed

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Pastor Saeed thursday

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We join in prayer as hundreds around the county leave an empty place setting on this Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity with Pastor Saeed Abedini and for persecuted Christians and churches around the globe.

The Christian Defense Coalition has asked that all Americans leave a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table for the persecuted pastor. Pastor Saeed, an American citizen, has been in an Iranian prison for more than a year because of his Christian faith. He is serving an eight year sentence and was recently relocated from Evin prison to Rajai Shahr Prison which is one of the worst in the world. The Iranian government frequently moves prisoners to the Rajai Shahr Prison to isolate them from the media, public view and human rights groups.

The coalition has set up a Facebook event page saying the empty place setting will serve “as a prophetic’ reminder to pray for Saeed and all those being persecuted for their faith around the world.” As of last Tuesday afternoon, over 700 people have RSVPed as attending. The group also plans to set up a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning. The Rev. Patrick J Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition says this is to “remind President Obama to be a much stronger voice for religious freedom around the world and the release of Pastor Saeed.”

“While Americans enjoy the blessing of spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, it is important to remember that millions around the world are being brutalized, persecuted and attacked for their Christian faith. Thousands are in prison,” Mahoney says. Pastor Saeed will not be able to spend this special day with his wife and two young children, but instead will be spending it in a cramped prison facing constant violence and persecution.

We should never be silent when it comes to issues of human rights, justice and religious freedom. We must always be a loud voice in the public square calling for an end to the persecution and violence directed toward people because of their faith.

The Rev. said, “Leaving a Thanksgiving Place for Pastor Saeed is a powerful way for Americans to stand in solidarity with the persecuted church around the world and teach their families about the important issues of human rights and religious freedom.”

Without question, we will have a plate set at our dinner table this Thanksgiving as my precious family celebrates this day and we give thanks to God for all He has given us. I encourage all to join us in our support of Pastor Saeed. I look forward to this afternoon when immediately following our families ‘thankful prayer to God for all He has given us and all He does for us’, I will be presented the opportunity of explaining the plate to our children and grandchildren prior to the consumption of our blessed dinner!

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Rick Stambaugh
After serving in the United States Navy for 22 years I retired from the service late in 1991. Having always loved the southwest, shortly after retiring, I moved to the Albuquerque area where I have resided since. Initially I worked as a contractor for approximately 6 years doing cable construction work. That becoming a little dangerous, at an elevated age, I moved into the retail store management environment managing convenience stores for roughly 16 years. With several disabilities, I am now fully retired and am getting more involved with helping Pastor Dewey & Pastor Paul with their operations at FGGAM which pleases my heart greatly as it truly is - "For God's Glory Alone". I met my precious wife Sandy here in Albuquerque and we have been extremely happily married for 18 years and I am the very proud father to Sandy's wonderful children, Tiana, our daughter, Ryan & Ross, our two sons, and proud grandparents to 5 wonderful grandchildren. We attend Christ Full Deliverance Ministries in Rio Rancho which is lead by Pastor's Marty & Paulette Cooper along with Elder Mable Lopez as regular members. Most of my time is now spent split between my family, my church & helping the Pastors by writing here on the FGGAM website and doing everything I can to support this fantastic ministry in the service of our Lord. Praise to GOD & GOD Bless to ALL! UPDATED 2021: Rick and Sandy moved to Florida a few years ago. We adore them and we pray for Rick as he misses Sandy so very, very much!

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