On Dec. 1, Seventh-day Adventists around the world will be fasting and praying for the release of two Christians imprisoned on false charges in Africa.
Even though local authorities have recognized the men's innocence, they refuse to release them, according to Adventist News Network.
Pastor Antonio dos Anjos Monteiro and church member Bruno Amah have been locked up since March 2012 in Lome, Togo "without hope of bail or trial."
Here's what happened and what you can do to help release our brothers in Christ, according to Adventist News Network (ANN):
Why are they in jail?
Back in 2011, there were a series of murders of young girls in Togo. Finally, a Togolese man confessed to the murders. He claimed to work for a criminal network that trafficked human blood.
Before, Pastor Monteiro used to minister to this man. The man later accused Pastor Monteiro and church member Bruno Amah of being involved with the criminal network.
The police searched their homes but didn't find any evidence.
Monteiro had been working as the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director for the church's Sahel Union Mission. Bruno Amah was a business man in Lome, Togo.
The Adventist world church provided this picture for you to post on your Facebook on Dec. 1. Click to enlarge.
Why won't they be released?
That's the big question. The local authorities have said they are innocent, but they still refuse to release them. The men have been imprisoned for almost nine months.
What is the church doing to help?
Lawyers for the Adventist Church and human rights groups have been asking for their release.
The Adventist church's representative to the United Nations, Ganoune Diop, met with the Togolese ambassador in July. The ambassador promised to contact officials from the Togolese president's cabinet. ANN reports that Diop has asked for a follow-up meeting.
The Adventist world church president, Ted N.C. Wilson, visited the two men in prison in November during his tour of West Africa.
How can I help?
Pray, post, sign, and pray again.
Elder Wilson has asked church members around the world to make Dec. 1 an international day of prayer and fasting for the release of Monteiro and Amah.
The Church is asking church members to sign a petition on Change.org, pledging to pray for the jailed church members.
Church members are asked to raise awareness on Facebook and Twitter using the #pray4togo hashtag.
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