Pastor Andrew Brunson to American Christians: Get ready for persecution

The American pastor who was falsely charged by the Turkish regime of terrorism and espionage gives a frank account of his ordeal in an interview with WND, confessing his first year in prison "broke" him to the point of no longer wanting to live. "In the midst of my weakness and brokenness I had to learn to stand," he said. Now settled in the U.S. after 25 years in Turkey, he sees a dramatic rise in hostility to Christians that appears only to be increasing. And he warns American followers of Jesus they may not be as prepared as they think they are to face persecution. "Persecution can make you stronger," he said, "but it can also knock you out."