Heather Mercer

Heather Mercer (b. circa 1977) is an American Christian missionary. In the weeks prior to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks, she was one of eight aid workers on trial in Afghanistan for preaching Christianity. She was held captive until anti-Taliban forces liberated her in November, 2001.

Early life

In 1995, Mercer graduated from Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, where she was a track captain and a leader of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In her high school yearbook, Mercer quoted Isaiah 40: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. ... They will walk and not be faint."

After high school, Mercer attended Baylor University, majored in German and became heavily involved at Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas.

Afghan trial

Mercer arrived in Afghanistan in March 2001. She and another American, Dayna Curry, were working for a German-based Christian group called Shelter Now International.

Under the rule of the Taliban, foreigners who preach Christianity faced jail time and expulsion. Sixteen Afghans who were allegedly converted by Mercer and her associates faced the death penalty unless they renounced Christianity.

On August 3, 2001, the Taliban arrested the two women as they shared the Gospel in a private home in Kabul. After their arrest, the Taliban raided the group's offices and arrested the six other aid workers that Mercer and Curry were teamed up with. Taliban officials said they found evidence of proselytizing, including Bibles in local languages.

Their trial began on September 1, 2001. On September 13 the trial was suspended and relatives of the detained aid workers were ordered to leave the country. The trial resumed on September 30. On October 6, the Taliban made an offer to release Mercer and Curry, if the United States stopped its military action against Afghanistan. On November 15, the women, along with the six other imprisoned aid workers, were freed from prison by anti-Taliban forces and flown to safety in Islamabad, Pakistan. [ [http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/curry.mercer/profile.html "CNN" Afghan prison ordeal ends happily for U.S. aid workers] ]

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