Andrew and Norine Brunson were involved in starting churches, training, aid to refugees, and a house of prayer in Turkey for 23 years until being falsely accused of terrorism in October 2016. After this Andrew was held for two years in Turkish prisons. Due to a worldwide prayer movement and significant political pressure from the US government, he was finally sentenced and then dramatically released in October 2018. Andrew has a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Andrew and Norine have three grown children.