Muslim Iran probably has the fastest-growing church in the world. The people are tired of forced spirituality coming from hypocritical clerics. Soon after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, another revolution began to brew.
This other revolution, based on winning, equipping, and sending people for the cause of Christ, was led by groups like SAT7 PARS and ELAM. ELAM shared Scriptures, evangelistic materials, and leadership training materials. SAT7 PARS did its part through satellite TV in the Farsi language.
The response has been strong, but the number of new Christian Believers is unclear. Most likely, over 60 percent of decisions for Christ come from Iranians whom the outside media cannot reach. SAT7 PARS can reach Iranians not only in Iran but also in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, and Germany. ELAM has a program called “Send Hope Back Home” for Iranians in the diaspora to share Christ with family and friends when they return home. ELAM’s Safar program provides discipleship materials for those on the ground, hoping that Iranian Christians will start home fellowships.
Challenges remain. Outsiders cannot go to Iran because of the government. New Iranian Christian Believers desperately need fellowship, but it is difficult to find other Christ followers when their contact with the gospel comes from media sources. Satellite TV and the internet are not enough; they need house churches, and house churches need leaders. These gaps have led to a large “back door” where new Iranians are giving up their faith.
Let Us Pray Fervently for:
The Holy Spirit to equip and send Iranian church leaders (The Bible, 1 Timothy 1:1-2).
The Iranian church to soon become self-propagating, self-funding, and self-governing (The Bible, 1 Timothy 1:3-7).
The gospel to penetrate the households of those who persecute the Iranian church (The Bible, Acts 16:25-32).
Sources
Elam. Your Iranian friends can flourish, bless your church, and send hope to Iran.
Safar. One-to-one Discipleship for every believer.
SAT7. SAT7 PARS.
