Dear Sir,
John Cooper (June en, letters) asks for the experience of other churches in dealing with the Home Office in the cases of asylum seekers who have become Christians in this country and then are in danger of their lives if they return to their home countries.
We have been involved with several Iranians who have been converted in our church and then claimed asylum on this basis. I certainly agree with Mr Cooper that the Home Office is far from sympathetic and seeks to test the genuineness of faith by asking sometimes silly factual questions which would be more appropriate in a pub quiz! Myself and others have acted as witnesses in appeal tribunals and also written letters of support to the UK Border Agency in these matters.
We have tried to show how we have been very careful to test the genuineness of a profession of faith by explaining in some detail the steps we have taken, namely teaching basic Christian doctrine and conducting interviews with the help of a Christian Iranian translator. We have challenged the UKBA when they have said that their assessment of faith differs from ours, pointing out that we have many years experience of interviewing those who have professed faith and sought baptism and that we are not naïve. The length of time that the asylum seeker has been coming to the church (usually at least 18 months by the time of the application) and their involvement in the life of the church have also been important factors to record.
The Home Office like to quote a document that says Christians in Iran live two lives in the public and private spheres and so can return safely. But we have pointed out that this is not possible for an evangelical and that Jesus Christ whom we follow wants nothing less than whole-hearted commitment. This must involve public proclamation of the gospel by all its adherents.
In the mercy of God we have found that these interventions, together with the prayers of the church, have resulted in positive outcomes and we thank God.
Yours sincerely,
