Posted by Robert Jimenez on May 23, 2008
Iran (MNN) — The underground evangelical church is growing exponentially in Iran, and authorities appear to be taking action against it. President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller says 12 Muslim-background believers were arrested last week. Four are still jailed. Moeller says, “Iranian authorities are recognizing that there’s a mushrooming house church movement going on in Iran. (It’s) doubling in size of the indigenous house church movement there in Iran every six months. So the rate of growth is actually stunning.” The arrests began last week with arrests in airports and homes. Christian radio and television have been embraced by Iranians, says Moeller, because of disillusionment. “This disillusionment with these conservative clerics, and this harsh political hatred creates a tremendous opportunity for the love of Jesus Christ to make inroads into people’s lives. People are searching for real spiritual answers, and they are finding it in Jesus Christ.” Funding is needed for the demand in Christian resources.
Posted in 1040 Window, Iran, MNN | 1 Comment »
Posted by Robert Jimenez on December 20, 2006
Iran (MNN) — Iranian secret police arrested house church leaders in four cities in what many are calling a crackdown on the house church movement in that Islamic nation. However, some Christians say the government’s just trying to get a handle on the growing Christian population.
American Evangelist Sammy Tippit beams Christian television programming into Iran via satellite. “We estimate that there’s probably been, this year, 100 people who have been arrested, who’ve been interrogated and released. Just in the last week or so it has increased even more.”
Tippit believes it’s the government’s attempt at fact finding. “The government doesn’t know and they’re trying to get a handle on how big the house church movement is, because it’s growing so rapidly and God is doing great things. It seems as though these arrests are taking place all over the country.”
Tippit says there’s a tremendous hunger for the Gospel and the government appears to be shaken by it. People are hearing the Gospel through national believers, Satellite television and the internet.
Tippit tells us why people are turning to Christ in such large numbers. “One Iranian told me, ‘Here in the Persian world, we’ve had a form of Islam forced on us. We know what Islam really is and we’ve rejected it. And so, our people are saying, ‘what is the answer?’ And, they’re looking for an alternative. And, many of them are turning to Christ.’”
While the persecution has obvious negative consequences, it also has positive implications, says Tippit. “The more they do against Christianity, the deeper the hunger becomes and people want to know more. So, there’s much more interest.”
In response the Iranian government has destroyed satellite dishes and also used Tippit’s personal email address to discredit him.
Posted in 1040 Window, Iran, MNN | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Robert Jimenez on December 7, 2006
Iran (MNN)–Iran is trying to thaw relations with the United States by offering to help stabilize Iraq. The offer comes even as Iran faces sanctions as a rogue state. Chaos from within between the religious groups is also surfacing.
Christians make up less than one-half of one percent of Iran’s population. Ethnic Christians are still allowed to express their faith within their own church walls, but those who come from a Muslim background face tremendous risk because the government wants them to return to Islam.
That said, evangelistic work is banned, and, according to Open Doors’ World Watch List, Iran moved up to third place in the rankings.
The Open Doors World Watch List keeps track of the countries known for their harassment and persecution of Christians around the world.
Words of Hope’s Lee DeYoung says they’re getting reports of increasing persecution. “Religious authorities there realize that the church is growing and are seeking to apply pressure on those who come to their attention, who they believe are a part of that movement.”
The new regime threatens evangelism and discipleship efforts. DeYoung says that’s why their work must continue. “The broadcasts are very important for sustaining people. There already is a great shortage of trained Christian leaders, with some of them being forced to curtail their activities. The broadcasts cannot be stopped. They blanket the country and they can be heard, and are being listened to, intently.”
Because the churches are forbidden to assist any Muslim background believers, many ethnic churches removed their support from their brothers and sisters of Muslim origin. Pray for the Muslim background believer cell groups that are now meeting in secret.
Organizations featured in this article:
Posted in 1040 Window, Iran, MNN | Leave a Comment »
