Iran’s new president has promised to protect the country’s Christians, but attacks are intensifying. As they work to survive, CBN News was given an exclusive, rare view that few outsiders
witness: a secret meeting of new Iranian believers in a neighbouring country, not far from the border. The brand new followers of Christ received Bible teaching and participated in their
very first communion service. After a few songs and prayers, several were baptized. Then they returned to more late-night Bible study and training before returning to Iran. For the first time, these Christians learned how to look up and memorize Scripture. They’re Kurds, former Muslims who converted to Christianity.
If their identities and location were revealed to secret police, Iranian agents would have come to arrest them. Some may have been killed for being apostates. Reza, a former Muslim turned-Christian, says he shares his faith because he wants Iranians to live in the light. While President Hassan Rouhani promises societal reforms, Reza said an aggressive government crackdown against Christians continues. “Iranian agents come and arrest us saying that we are spies for Western countries. They say because of that, you are a traitor to your country and should be executed,” he explained.
In fact, few of the 40 or so known Christians imprisoned in Iran have been charged as apostates or for spreading the Gospel. The official charge is usually espionage or undermining national
security. Security police arrested 35-year-old Iranian Christian Farshid Fathi during a Christmas raid against house churches in 2010. He is serving six years in Iran’s infamous Evin Prison. A
prison guard recently broke Farshid’s foot during a mass inmate assault. The foot went untreated for three days. Farshid went on to say, “We forgive them for all they have done because we are
followers of the one who says, ‘Father, please forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.'”
Iran has one of the fastest growing Christian populations in the world. Evangelist Reza said that more Iranians tell him they’ve grown tired of the oppressive policies of the ayatollahs. “And people feel a hunger and a thirst to know the truth. When I talk to them about Christ and tell them how God loves us, they become so excited and they just keep smiling,” Reza said. Reza requests prayer. “Pray that God will give us strength and power in our faith because Christian faith in Iran is not easy,” he said.
“It’s difficult, dangerous and risky – pray for salvation to come — that all Iranians will be saved.”
Source: CBN News
BIBLE STUDY: Romans 8:15-18
PRAISE God for Iranian Christians willing to die for Christ and seeing their numbers swell.
PRAY with our Iranian brothers and sisters; that they may be greatly encouraged as they see God in action with them. “PRAY for salvation to come – that all Iranians will be saved.”