Iran s House Church. A Short Essay. Mike Ansari Heart4Iran April 24, 2017

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1 Iran s House Church Heart4Iran April 24, 2017 A Short Essay Mike Ansari

2 God is at work in Iran. Jesus is building His church. The Spirit is transforming lives. The Gospel is on the move. Understanding Iran: Most may not realize that Iran has a rich Christian history that dates back to the Day of Pentecost. In fact, the first three people groups that responded to Peter s preaching of the Gospel were from Iran. But it s the last 38 years that Christianity has seen its largest growth in Iran. Despite the popular notion that Iran is a terrorist nation, Iran s young people are bright, savvy, better educated and less religiously zealous compared to the surrounding Arab nations. They are more advanced than any previous generation. In pursuit of better life many have left Iran and there is supporting evidence that Iranian migrants help contribute to the academic and financial infrastructure of the host country. Today, young Iranians play a key role in its society. In fact, seventy percent of the population of Iran is under thirty years old. 1 They want to be a part of the international community and globalization. Iranian youth are already exposed to global media, ideas and culture through satellite television, social media and the Internet. More than forty million Iranians have access to the Internet, including five million of those who have a Facebook account even though it is banned inside the country of Iran. 2 Despite prohibitions on women s rights, Iranian women account for sixty-five percent of university attendance with a sixty percent graduation rate higher than men. However, many of Iran s young and educated are unemployed. 3 The vast majority conform to the system and stay quiet while those who dare to ask questions and seek answers feel hopeless and live under the constant threat of detentions, torture, expulsion from universities, and the expanding powers of paramilitary forces. Although an Islamic nation, culturally and socially most Iranians don t define their spiritual journey in the sole context of Islam. The influence of Zoroastrianism, Mithraism, Sufism, mysticism, etc., has turned Iran into a cradle for higher conscious and subconscious pursuit. Despite Islam s constant presence in their social and cultural fabric, many Iranians believe religion limits their true spirituality and labels their esoteric experiences as heresy and as occult. 4 For example, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, people began asking some simple yet profound questions like: How does this (Islamic) faith and belief define my relationship with my creator? How does my religion define my values as an individual in society? As a family unit? As a member in a larger global community? Do I agree with my state-religion? The pre-scripted answers given to these forbidden questions have left the majority unsatisfied. They want to discover who they are outside of the religious identity bestowed upon them by the system. Response to Christianity: Millions of Iranians are hungry for hope and change and are questioning traditional forms of authority. Iran is now, more than ever, proving to be a blueprint for the failure of Islam. Because the 1 70% of Iran s Population is Under the Age of 35, accessed September 1, 2015, 2 The paradox that is Persia, accessed September 2, 2015, 3 Islamic Republic of Iran: 2014 Article IV Consultation-Staff Report; Press Release; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Iran, International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept. April 4, Shi i Theology in Iran: The Challenge of Religious Experience, by Ori Goldberg, Routledge, September 12, 2011.

3 strict authoritarian regime limits and forbids young people from finding the freedom they so crave, Islam s credibility is decreasing rapidly while creating a generation of spiritually-hungry Iranians. Iranians are affectionate and love to love. Iranians are also hungry for love. This innate desire is forcefully hidden under the veil of darkness covering them in the name of God. Many are therefore attracted to the simple message of Jesus: God is love. This has led to a historic and organic growth of Christianity inside Iran, evidenced by one of the fastest growing underground church movements in the world! 5 However with church growth comes persecution. In November 2009, Iran s National Report to the UN Human Rights Council outlined that Iran is a land with diverse ethnic and religious communities that live side by side with different traditions, customs and languages the Iranian society is a successful model of brotherly and peaceful coexistence. Article 13 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes Iranian Christians (ethnic Christians) as a religious minority. But this does not apply to the Muslims that have converted to Christianity. These Muslim-background-believers (MBB) are considered as apostates and face systematic state persecution and discrimination. Apostasy (defined as leaving Islam for any other religion) is not codified as a crime under Iran s penal code. However according to Article 220 of Iran s Islamic Code (2013), if there is no codified law with respect to a particular issue, judges must deliver their judgments on the basis of authoritative Islamic sources. Iranian courts typically follow the lead of conservative clerics such as Ayatollah Khomeini who viewed apostasy a crime punishable by death. In the last few years, most extrajudicial killings in Iran have been slowly replaced with arbitrary arrest and detention. 6 Most of the arrested individuals are coerced to divulge information about their house-church activities and those of their friends, under the threat of criminal persecution 5 Evangelical Growth, accessed February 16, 2016, 6 The Global War on Christians: Dispatching from the Frontline of Anti-Christian Persecution, John L. Allen, Crown Publishing Group, 2016.

4 or arrest of family members. Extended detentions without formal charge, trial or sentencing are common. For this reason, Iran is ranked #8 among the most persecuted countries in the world. 7 Role of Christian Media Iran is not an easy place to be reached through traditional missionary church models. In fact, formal church structures in most countries like Iran are not practical. Yet according to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Christianity in Iran is growing at an explosive rate. House church movement is the vital reason for this growth. According to World Mission, the (underground) church in Iran is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Most indigenous Iranian Christian leaders believe the house church movement in Iran is the lifeline of Christianity inside this country. Social media and Christian Satellite TV broadcasts into Iran have played a vital role in the success of underground house church movement in this country. There are currently 4 active Iranian Christian satellite TV broadcasters that air continuous Christian programming into Iran Mohabat TV, Nejat TV, Sat7Pars and Shabakeh 7. Mohabat TV (Mohabat means agape love in Farsi), launched on March 1, 2006 offers original programming that evangelizes, disciples, trains and equips the underground house-church movement. Mohabat TV is the media arm of a larger entity called Heart4Iran Ministries, ( which is a partnership of over 60 ministries coming together to reach the people of Iran. This channel offers 8 weekly live shows into Iran and has a strong social-media arm offering live Facebook programming to its young demographic. The significance of media strategy is that it by-passes security measures set by the government and reaches the people of Iran through their TV set or on their smart devices. This allows the audience to engage these channels via phone calls, s, chat 7 Iran,

5 and posts. Mohabat TV processes 10,000-15,000 calls per month from people inside Iran who would like to know more about Jesus. Iranian Church The church in Iran is dynamic, operational, growing and underground. The majority of its leaders are young and the average spiritual age of its leaders is under 2 years-in-christ. This is probably due to the fact that most of its existing mature leaders have either been arrested or forced out of the country. Although highly persecuted, the young believers are meeting secretly in small groups and are not shy about sharing their new faith with family and trusted friends. However, Iran s underground church is suffering from lack of seasoned leaders, lack of access to the Bible, lack of sound theological training, lack of healthy fellowship with other believers and the constant threat of infiltration, arrests and persecution. They are forced to obtain most of their trainings from satellite TV or social media forums like Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. This naturally presents its own challenges. Fortunately, websites such as (Kelisa means church) provide instructional videos and resources aimed towards the growth and sustainability of a healthy homebased church. In addition to these isolated Christians, there are still various networks operating inside Iran. One network has over 800 home groups mostly made of college students. Another network has over 400 active leaders spread across Iran. Due to its closed environment, there are no accurate or verifiable numbers of Christians population inside Iran. 8 Conclusion The church in Iran is young, unexperienced, growing fast, threatened from inside and outside and difficult to keep up with. But that is how the church was during the early years of Christianity. Change and transition is not easy; it is necessary. Historically the Church has seen its fastest growth during persecution. We are witnessing a historic trend in Iran (and the region) that is spreading to diaspora 8 Too Many to Jail: The Story of Iran s New Christians, Mark Bradley, Monarch Books, November 21, 2014.

6 and surrounding courtiers. In a recent survey Heart4Iran released a map showing the global response rate to Christianity from Iranian Muslims residing inside and outside of Iran. The results are indicative of a vast social and cultural change that has never been seen before. More and more people are responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many are coming to Christ through dreams and visions far before they are exposed to Christian media or missionaries. 9 The news is good, inspiring and hopeful if we choose to look at it through God s spectacles. This is the time to pray, intercede and celebrate God s goodness. A brief historical Iranian Christian timeline: 1. Pentecost Persians, Parthians and Medes became Christians on Pentecost (Acts 2:9) 2. 1 st Century Early Christian communities existed under Persian rule 3. 3 rd Century Persecution of Christians under the reign of Bahram II started, which lasted several centuries th Century The Assyrian Church of the East established the earliest church in Iran 5. 7 th Century Arab Islamic conquest of Persia 6. 8 th Century - Saint Thaddeus Monastery, the oldest Armenian Christian Church which is also known as The Black Church was built in West Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran. Iranian Christians still worship there th Century Mass arrival of Armenians into Iran and establishment of Armenian Apostolic Church. They are still the largest Christian community in Iran th Century Parts of Gospel were translated into Persian in the Persian Diatessaron th & 18 th Century Missionary work in Iran by Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestants. 9 The Forbidden Stories, Mike Ansari, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, April 14, 2016.

7 Henry Martyn translated the New Testament into Farsi it was published by Shah s blessing in Translation of Old Testament from Hebrew by William Glen A complete Farsi Bible consisting of Old and New Testament was published A revised Old Persian Version was published Formerly known as Persia, Iran is adapted as the country s official name Persian Living Bible was published by Living Bible International Iranian Islamic Revolution Iran-Iraq war which lasts for eight years American hostages are released ending 444 days in captivity Global Distribution of JESUS Film in Farsi A major earthquake strikes Iran, killing approximately 40,000 people Haik Hovsepian martyrdom in Iran Mehdi Dibaj martyrdom in Iran PIC (later named PCI) 1 st Iranian partnership conference in USA US imposes oil and trade sanctions against Iran Contemporary translation of Bible was published by Iranian Bible Society : Martyrdom of Ravanbaksh, Muslim convert pastor. This event convinced leadership of the Assemblies of God Churches (AOG) church that there was no future for overground churches in Iran. Muslim convert leadership would never be tolerated : Farsinet, the first Christian Persian website, established after arrival of internet in Iran in : Presidency of Khatami. Slightly more relaxed and less xenophobic rhetoric from the government against the West; allowed AOG, Presbyterians, and outside groups to develop house church networks Petra Broadcasting launched the first media programming on secular satellite TV into Iran Ministries launched ICB, offering 1 st systematic part-time Christian programming several days a week into Iran New Millennium New Testament published by Elam Ministries ,000 people are killed in Bam s earthquake Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tehran s ultra-conservative mayor become Iran s president : House church movement spreading in Iran aided by provision of training; Scriptures; satellite TV; and internet; hostility of Ahmadinejad government increasing (March 1 st ) Mohabat TV, first full time Farsi Christian satellite TV was launched Ahmadinejad denies Holocaust (December 1) TBN Nejat was launched (December 18) Sat7-Pars was launched Today s Persian Version Bible published by United Bible Society Ahmadinejad says Iran can produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale US imposes new sanctions against Iran : Brutal crushing of demonstrations against rigged presidential elections, which further infects the wound between Iranians and their national religion. At least 30 people are killed and thousands are arrested 10 T.H., Elam Ministries, 2017

8 : publication of Iran 30 prayer guide, translated into several languages, so increase of intercession for Iran : Supreme Leader attacks house churches as being puppets of the West. Fresh persecution unleashed which proves by the numbers of arrests the extent of the growth of the house church movement GIF, 1 st Iranian partnership conference in London : Founding of Pars Theological Seminary to meet needs of growing church : All Persian speaking Presbyterian and AOG services closed down. Persian services only functioning in the Anglican churches (Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz). Further spur to encourage house church movement which proves impossible to control. An official admitted in 2016 that it was a mistake closing down the building churches present: Internet technology (Skype, Telegram, Facebook) allows for great increase of ministry into Iran Rouhani becomes Iran s president Christian arrests increase New Millennium Version was published by Elam Ministries Launch of Heart4Iran, a multi-organizational partnership to reach Iran Jehovah s Witnesses published New World Translation of the Holy Scripture in Farsi Iran s underground church growth ranked highest of all nations by World Mission President Obama releases $400 million in cash to Iran Online weekly leadership training of 695 house church leaders by Heart4Iran Iran ranked 8 th most persecuted country by Open Doors International Launch of first live Facebook Woman s program in Farsi by Heart4Iran About the Author Dr. Mike Ansari is the President of Heart4Iran, a non-political partnership of multi-national organizations whose number one aim is to serve and bless the people of Iran. Mike was born into a secular Muslim family in the city of Shiraz, Iran. At the age of seven he experienced the Iranian Islamic Revolution and witnessed the death of many Iranians, including his cousin. The events of his early life led him to question Islam, spirituality and God. Through a series of events, Mike came to the United States and dedicated himself to academics, becoming a biochemist and a doctor. His mother came to follow Jesus Christ through a dream. The change was so dramatic that Mike also gave his life to Jesus. Early in his walk as a new Christian, God gave Mike a burden to bring unity to the church and help equip worshippers inside Iran, so he started FarsiPraise Ministries. Years later, he was asked to join Mohabat TV and help with its management and development. He serves as the director of operations for Mohabat TV and leads Heart4Iran. During his tenure, Mike has managed to successfully develop one of the largest and most successful models of partnership among dozens of ministries serving the Farsi speakers of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. 11 T.H., Elam Ministries, 2017