Showing posts with label Iranians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iranians. Show all posts

Monday 13 January 2020

Explosive growth of Christianity in Iran

Violence in the name of Islam has caused widespread disillusionment with the regime and has led many Iranians to question their beliefs. Multiple reports indicate that even children of political and spiritual leaders are leaving Islam for Christianity.

Already more than 20 years Christadelphians provide literature in Farsi and make huge efforts to communicate and unite with those who either felt not at home with their original religion or with their nation. Lots of those who fled the war zones and found a safe haven in Europe also found something interesting in the faith of many Europeans. Overhere there are not only the housechurches but in Great-Britain Christadelphian halls are open to bring the Farsi speaking people together.

Because Farsi-speaking services in Iran are not allowed, most converts gather in informal house-church meetings or receive information on Christianity via media, such as satellite TV and websites. The illegal house-church movement — including thousands of Christians — continues to grow in size and impact as God works through transformed lives.

Church leaders in Iran believe that millions can be added to the church in the next few years.
“If we remain faithful to our calling, our conviction is that it is possible to see the nation transformed within our lifetime,” 
one house church leader shared.
“Because Iran is a strategic gateway nation, the growing church in Iran will impact Muslim nations across the Islamic world.”
And like the church of Acts shows us, the persecution that believers suffered as a group of committed disciples — inspired and ignited by the Holy Spirit — became a catalyst for the multiplication of believers and churches. When persecution came, they didn’t scatter but remained in the city where it was most strategic and most dangerous. They were arrested, shamed and beaten for their message. Still, they stayed to lay the foundations for an earth-shaking movement.
So it is in Iran. When the Iranian revolution of 1979 established a hardline Islamic regime, the next two decades ushered in a wave of persecution that continues today. All missionaries were kicked out, evangelism was outlawed, Bibles in the Persian or Farsi language were banned, and several pastors were killed. Many feared the small, fledgling Iranian church wouldn’t survive.  Instead, the church, fueled by the devotion and passion of disciples, has multiplied exponentially. Iranians have become the Muslim people most open to the gospel in the Middle East.

Monday 1 August 2011

Iranian refugees in Belgium baptised by Carelinks

Carelinks continue to see the providential hand of God in our work, ever seeking to connect people and actively guide circumstances towards the salvation of men and women.

Carelinks providentially come into contact with some Iranians in Belgium who have had contact with the JWs, being impressed by the rejection of the trinity and teaching of the Kingdom coming on earth, but turned away by the various quirks of Watchtower doctrine in other areas.

Brother Andy Taylor of the Windermere UK ecclesia is in the midst of driving over from the UK to Latvia with a car full of literature and welfare clothing for the Riga Bible Center, and he was able to meet with Duncan in Belgium and assist with the baptism of H.
Photo: Andy with H after his baptism
    

They had a most interesting time talking with his flat mates, from Turkey and Iran, who had also been exposed to JW teaching. Andy got back on the highway to Latvia, with another 2 or 3 days driving ahead of him, sleeping in his tent on the way, and Duncan then went on with new brother H to another city to meet and baptize another Iranian, B, who converted to Christianity in Iran many years ago but for the last 12 years has been living in Belgium, reading his well marked Bible but unable to find a church which agreed with his understanding of the Gospel.

There are many other former Moslem contacts in Belgium and indeed throughout Europe that Carelinks continue in contact with, some of whom are thrilled with the simple, logical truths of the Lord Jesus Christ in contrast to what they have previously been taught.

Photos: Happy fellowship after baptism
    
We're pleased that these two brethren have found refuge in Belgium, but there are many others still in camps and on the move in unstable areas whom Carelinks seek to support.