Two ex-Muslims who are now pastors in the United States have launched separate satellite TV ministries to Muslims in Iran . Their groundbreaking work has resulted in thousands of Iranians coming to Christ - many of whom become such fervent believers that they risk their lives to share the gospel in the Islamic country. "The religion of Islam has held a grip on this land for more than 1,500 years," said Reza Safa, 43, pastor of Fishermen's House Church in Tulsa , Oklahoma , and founder of the Nejat (“freedom”) Christian satellite TV station that has made gospel broadcasts available to millions of Farsi-speaking people in Iran , Afghanistan and Tajikistan since May 2003. More than 3,000 Iranians and Afghans have come to Christ as a result of these broadcasts. Hormoz Shariat, co-founding pastor of the Iranian Christian Church in San Jose , California , and founder of International Antioch Ministries which has broadcast Iranian Christian TV (ICTV) since 2002, comments. "The population in Iran is 70 million. Seventy percent of the population is under 30, and we are finding that many young people are converting their families and friends after they come to Jesus," Shariat said. "World Watch List" ranks Iran fifth among persecuting nations.
Charisma News Service, August 2004
Despite tragedy and persecution, a vibrant underground church is growing in Iran , according to Charisma Now (June 29, 2004). After an earthquake on December 26 devastated Bam and buried thousands of people under the rubble of their homes, Western cChurches sent relief to the ancient Iranian city. Today, the church in Iran is growing. Missions experts estimate 20,000-30,000 indigenous evangelical and Pentecostal believers today, most of them from Muslim backgrounds. Some experts - citing an unknown number of "secret" believers - claim the true figure could be much higher. "In the last 20 years, more Iranians have come to Christ compared to the last 14 centuries," Lazarus Yeghnazar, 55, an Iranian-born evangelist now based in Great Britain, told "Charisma" magazine in its June issue. "We've never seen such a phenomenal thirst," he added. Missiologist Patrick Johnstone, co-author of "Operation World," estimated that Iran has 17,000 evangelicals, 7,000 charismatics and 4,000 Pentecostals. With annual church growth of 7.5 percent, Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing religious movement in Iran . Everywhere, the charismatic influence is strong. Many indigenous cChurches practice prophecy and healing. Services, which are marked by vibrant worship and fervent prayer, can last for hours.
Charisma News Service, July 2004
Despite tragedy and persecution, a vibrant underground church is growing in Iran . After an earthquake on Dec. 26 devastated Bam and buried thousands of people under the rubble of their homes, Western cChurches sent relief to the ancient Iranian city. With the situation in Bam opening doors previously shut, missions leaders believe the compassionate response of the worldwide church to the disaster could be a catalyst for the nation's explosive church growth. Iran is located in the biblical region of ancient Persia -- the home of such Bible heroes as Nehemiah, Esther and Daniel. Acts 2 lists Elamites, Parthians and Medes (all Iranians) among those present at the feast of Pentecost celebration in the first century when the Holy Spirit came in power. Today, the church in Iran is growing -- spurred by a fresh, sweeping move of the Holy Spirit and strengthened through the fellowship of suffering believers. Missions experts estimate 20,000-30,000 indigenous evangelical and Pentecostal believers today, most of them from Muslim backgrounds. Some experts -- citing an unknown number of "secret" believers -- claim the true figure could be much higher. "In the last 20 years, more Iranians have come to Christ compared to the last 14 centuries," Lazarus Yeghnazar, 55, an Iranian-born evangelist now based in Great Britain, told "Charisma" magazine in the June issue, out now. The full report on Iran 's underground church can be found in the magazine. "We've never seen such a phenomenal thirst," he added. Missiologist Patrick Johnstone, co-author of "Operation World," estimated that Iran has 17,000 evangelicals, 7,000 charismatics and 4,000 Pentecostals. With annual church growth of 7.5 percent, Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing religious movement in Iran . Everywhere, the charismatic influence is strong. Many indigenous cChurches practice prophecy and healing. Services, which are marked by vibrant worship and fervent prayer, can last for hours. "They are hungry to learn, eager to discuss the Bible and, in particular, Jesus. They're searching for the truth." explained Tom White, director of The Voice of the Martyrs, an Oklahoma-based ministry to persecuted Christians worldwide. He noted that the courage and spiritual passion of Iranian believers is a key factor in the "spontaneous growth" of Iran 's house-church movement. Driven underground by persecution, thousands of Iranian Christians -- as many as 30,000, according to White -- meet in homes. They switch locations to avoid detection. "In the past eight years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of converts from Islam," White said. "Much of the evangelism goes on inside people's homes." Most Iranian believers shun the few official, state-sanctioned cChurches because the secret police scrutinize church membership rolls to root out what they call Muslim "apostates." Although violent persecution has subsided, conversion to Christianity during the last decade has resulted in beating, imprisonment, torture and even execution. Despite the risks, some congregations continue to worship publicly -- even placing crosses on the front of their buildings. Constitutionally, the rights of other religions are guaranteed but closely monitored. Christian proselytism is forbidden.
Charisma News Service, June 2004
An Iranian asylum seeker living near Kassel told a Christian worker of a dream which he recently had: "I was standing on the roof of my house when a bright light like a spotlight shone on me. The light then moved down to illuminate a stream, which seemed to be made of light. I don't know what it means. I have consulted books and visited dream interpreters, but I can find no answer." "Only God can interpret dreams," the Christian visitor told him, telling him that Jesus is the light of the world. "The light shining on you means that Jesus is calling you, and the stream could be an indication that you should be baptised." The Iranian was convinced, and agreed to follow Jesus and be baptised.
DAWN Friday Fax, November 1998
