Iran 30 Discover, Pray, Transform » SUFFERING BUT GROWING CHURCH http://www.iran30.org Iran 30 Discover, Pray, Transform Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:50:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 New Year, New Christians http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/new-year-new-christians/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/new-year-new-christians/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:15:13 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=985 Just as in the West, non-Christians like to go to church over Christmas. So in one town in the Iran region this year, nearly 200 people came together and were led in Christian worship by the Elam pastor and his team. Such was the spirit of joy that at the end of the meeting, some of the congregation just started their own traditional dance. During the celebration one man went up to the front. He was seeking God and a team member led him to Christ. In other churches Iranians have come to faith over this Christmas season. It’s a new year, and there are many new Iranian Christians starting to grow in their faith. They will all need discipling as they are prepared for baptism. When the storms of spiritual opposition erupt, they will need a wise Christian counsellor to explain what is going on. All this work of evangelism and discipleship deserves to be supported in prayer

Pray for:

• All those who have recently come to faith
• That they soon be established in the church
• For those who disciple and pastor

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/new-year-new-christians/feed/ 0 Christmas present to children of AOG church Ahvaz: arrest http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/christmas-present-to-children-of-aog-church-ahvaz-arrest/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/christmas-present-to-children-of-aog-church-ahvaz-arrest/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:11:04 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=975 Christian leaders are shocked by the arrest of an entire Assemblies of God congregation, in the city of Ahvaz in the south east of Iran. Children were among those arrested. The Assemblies of God denomination has about 60 million members, and is the sixth largest Christian denomination in the world.
On 23rd December 2011 two security police busses arrived outside the meeting place of the Assemblies of God Church in Ahvaz where local Christians had gathered to celebrate Christmas. The security police arrested the entire congregation, including children, and took them in the busses with their faces covered to an ‘unknown location’, according to the agency Mohabat News. Thankfully most of the congregation were released after a few hours, but the pastor, Farhad Sabokroh, his wife Shahnaz Jeizan, and two other leaders of the church, Naser Zamen-Dezfuli and Davoud Alijani, were kept in detention. Shahnaz Jeizan was released on January 1st, 2012, but the three men are still in prison.

Pray for

• Traumatized children
• Release of Pastor Sabokroh, Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, and Davoud Alijani
• Witness of church to grow in midst of this persecution

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/christmas-present-to-children-of-aog-church-ahvaz-arrest/feed/ 0 Shahla Rahmati freed after 287 days in prison; Ahvaz church arrested http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/shahla-rahmati-free-after-287-days-in-prison-2/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/shahla-rahmati-free-after-287-days-in-prison-2/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:38:35 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=964 After more than nine months in prison, Shahla Rahmati, a devout Christian for nearly thirty years, is now free and at home. She was released on December 20th 2011. Shahla was arrested on March 9th 2011 and after several days of questioning moved to Section 209 of Tehran’s Evin Prison for interrogation. She was kept here for three months; this included six weeks in solitary confinement. She was then moved to an overcrowded cell which she shared with about 80 hardened criminals and drug addicts. Here her health deteriorated. Her blood pressure dropped to very low levels. On November 17th 2011 Shahla Rahmati, a director of a successful electronics company, was given a three-year custodial sentence. Her lawyer appealed, but she stayed behind bars. Shahla Rahmati has been acquitted of all charges. Her family thanks all Christians for their faithful intercession for her release. Shahla needs immediate medical attention as her blood pressure is still dangerously low.

While Shahla Rahmati has been freed, a number of other Christians are still in prison. Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, an enthusiastic church leader and father of two young children was arrested on December 26th 2010 and still has to appear in court. He has been mainly kept in solitary confinement. Youcef Nadarkhani, whose case has received international media attention, is also still in prison. The latest news is that he is to be kept behind bars for one year in the hope he will deny his faith in Christ.

And during the Christmas season, the number of Christians detained increased as the authorities arrested the entire congregation of the Assemblies of God Church in Ahvaz – including children enjoying Sunday School. Taken away for questioning in two buses, most of the congregation were later released. However the leader of the church, Pastor Farhad, and his wife, are believed to be still in prison.

As well as those actually in prison, there are three Christians who have been sentenced to three years imprisonment for ‘sacrilege’. They have paid bail to be out of prison while their appeal is heard. There are over twenty other Christians who are also out on bail while they wait for their first court appearance. There are many other Christians undergoing severe persecution.

While Christians rejoice at the release of Shahla Rahmati, fervent intercession is needed for the others to also join their families for Christmas this year.

Prayer should go on till there is complete freedom for the church in Iran.

Pray for

• Comfort and physical healing for Shahla Rahmati, and her family
• Release of Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, Yousef Nadarkhani, and others
• Charges to be dropped against all other Christians facing trial.
• Softening of the hearts of those in authority.

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/shahla-rahmati-free-after-287-days-in-prison-2/feed/ 0 One year on, the dark shadow of those arrests http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/one-year-on-the-dark-shadow-of-those-arrests/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/one-year-on-the-dark-shadow-of-those-arrests/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:20:35 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=949 The dark shadow of arbitrary arrests and imprisonment still hangs over the church in Iran. There are at least 12 Iranian Christians in prison solely for their faith in Jesus Christ. Some like Mojtaba Kashavaz or Shahla Rahmati have been sentenced to three years in goal on the charge of ‘sacrilege’ or supporting evangelicals. Others, like Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, arrested on December 26th December 2010, are still awaiting their trial. There are another twenty-two or more Iranian Christians who have been released after paying an exorbitant bail and awaiting trial. Many others have left Iran with just their clothes on their backs to escape the persecution.
This Christmas will be particularly painful for all these believers as they reflect on what has happened. All of them would love to be living as normal witnessing Christians in the land of their birth. None of them sought confrontation with their government. They are truly suffering for their stand for Christ. And it is that suffering, in the mystery of God’s providence, which weaves it way round the story of the church’s growth this year.

Pray for

• All those Christians still in prison.
• All those Christians released on bail awaiting their court case.
• All those Christians forced to leave the land they love.

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/one-year-on-the-dark-shadow-of-those-arrests/feed/ 0 Prison and beating: the reward for giving out Scriptures http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-beating-the-reward-for-giving-out-scriptures/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-beating-the-reward-for-giving-out-scriptures/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:20:13 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=941 One reason why the church in Iran is growing is because evangelists take great risks to give out New Testaments; usually the pocket sized one published by Elam Ministries. By last summer one brother had passed on thousands of copies, but one afternoon his activities were spotted and he experienced the reward of being beaten for the name of Christ. He also spent over a month in jail facing abusive interrogation. In his first two days of detention this brother was depressed and in great pain. But on the third day the Lord ministered to his spirit and he sensed in his heart that every Scripture he had passed on had had a purpose. The Master was pleased with his work.

Pray for

• All the brave Christians who give out God’s Word
• God to comfort those who have suffered for their ministry
• More New Testaments to flood into Iran

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-beating-the-reward-for-giving-out-scriptures/feed/ 0 Prison and arrests continue, but interest in Christ still on increase http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-arrests-continue-but-interest-in-christ-still-on-increase/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-arrests-continue-but-interest-in-christ-still-on-increase/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:03:12 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=924 Christians are still being held in prison solely for their faith, and others are being arrested. According to Mohabat News the latest believer to be arrested is Fariborz Arazm. The forty four year old father of two was taken from his home in Robat Karim in the early hours of October 17th, and his home searched. There is no further news. There is also little news of other Christians still known to be in prison, such as Noorollah Qabitizade held in Ahvaz for about ten months, and Farshid Fathi-Malayeri, held in Evin prison since December 26th 2011.
Despite the ongoing pressure on Christians, the interest ordinary Iranians have in Christ continues unabated. Contacts with Christians who share their faith all have the same theme – Iranians want to hear about Christ, and they love to receive a New Testament. One evangelist who had given out thousands of New Testaments reports that not one had been returned. Even those who look as if they would never want the Christian Scriptures warmly receive them. This evangelist passed such a man and first thought it would be best just to somehow leave a New Testament for him to find. A meeting could have been too confrontational. But he felt led to say something, and when he did and presented the New Testament, the man who had appeared so hostile, said he had always wanted to read about Jesus

Pray for:

• Those still in prison
• Their families
• For continued distribution of New Testaments

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/prison-and-arrests-continue-but-interest-in-christ-still-on-increase/feed/ 0 Yousef Nadarkhani, ordered three times to recant http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-nadarkhani-ordered-three-times-to-recant/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-nadarkhani-ordered-three-times-to-recant/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:25:16 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=911 From September 25th to 28th 2011 the court in Rasht in the north of Iran asked Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani three times to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ so the judge could annul the charge of apostasy against him. He refused. Now he is back in prison awaiting his sentence which in November 2010 was death by hanging. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani’s lawyer has expressed hope that the charge of apostasy will be annulled this time, but until the court give its verdict there is no certainty.

There has been outrage around the world that Iran is willing to use the death sentence on one of its citizens solely for choosing to believe in Jesus Christ. There is also division among Iran’s own religious leaders regarding the use of the death sentence for apostasy from Islam. While some support the death sentence, others, most famously the late Ayatollah Montazami, have said that there is no insistence in Islam that an apostate should be killed.

Pray for

• For all charges against Yousef Nadarkhani to be dropped.
• Courage for other Christians
• Iran to meet its international obligations regarding religious freedom

Yousef Nadarkhani shown the rope, still refuses to recant (originally posted September 13th, 2011)

Yousef Nadarkhani has been ordered to appear in court in just a month and a half to again face the charge of apostasy from Islam where the death sentence is likely to be confirmed. On June 27th 2011 Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the original death sentence handed out in November 2010, but then suspended it, implying that the 34 year old Pastor Nadarkhani who became a Christian when he was 19, should be given time to change his mind. Twice been taken to the gallows and shown the rope that he would hang from. This might have been to help him change his mind.
Despite this cruel violation of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights which affirms that everyone can choose their own faith, Yousef Nadarkhani has refused to deny Christ letting his family know, ‘I am staying in my faith.’

Yousef Nadarkhani was first arrested in September 2009 when he approached the local school to ask if his two children could be taken out of the Koran classes. The reply was to send him to prison. Later his wife, Fatemeh Nadarkhani, was also detained, but she was released in October 2010. As for the children, they have not been to school for the last two years.

Pray for

• Yousef Nadarkhani to remain a faithful witness
• His immediate release
• Grace for his family

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-nadarkhani-ordered-three-times-to-recant/feed/ 0 Vahik Abrahamian released; Farshid Fathi still in prison http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/vahik-abrahamian-released-farshid-fathi-still-in-prison/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/vahik-abrahamian-released-farshid-fathi-still-in-prison/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:08:21 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=898 After nearly a year in prison Armenian Iranian pastor Vahik Abrahamian was released from Hamadan prison on Monday August 29th 2011. According to reports from Christian press agencies his health is fragile after his prison ordeal. He joins his wife Sonia who was also in prison with him from September 2010 till April. When Sonia was taken out of the prison she was told that her husband would join her in ten days. The ten days turned out to be four months. It is not appropriate to use the word ‘free’. There has been no official dismissal of their case. The couple will have their every move monitored. And the authorities can re-arrest them whenever they want to. When they were taken into custody in September 2010 with two other believers the local government media alleged they were Zionist Christians. This is not true. They are ordinary Christians who believe along with nearly two billion others that Jesus Christ saves people from sin. Vahik, an ex-drug addict, most certainly knows this is true. He only wants to share with others what Christ has done for him. He has no political agenda whatsoever.
While Vahik has been released, Farshid Fathi, arrested with many others during the 2010 Christmas period, remains in prison. It is reported that his visitations rights have been cancelled. The world-wide church is extremely concerned about Farshid Fathi who has spent eight months in prison.

Pray for

• Restoration of Vahik after his time in prison
• Release of Farshid
• End of government persecution of Christians.

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/vahik-abrahamian-released-farshid-fathi-still-in-prison/feed/ 0 Yousef Naderkhani, nothing is certain http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-naderkhani-nothing-is-certain/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-naderkhani-nothing-is-certain/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:43:54 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=873 Arrested in September 2009, Yousef Naderkhani was sentenced to death for being an apostate to Islam on November 13th, 2010. His appeal against his sentence was then rejected on June 27th, 2011. As news of this spread on the internet, Mohabat News then reported that the death sentence had been suspended. But Yousef Naderkhani had also been told to ‘repent’ from his apostasy. There are no reports of what will happen if he does not oblige, which is unlikely. So nothing is certain for Yousef Naderkhani, his wife Fatemeh Pasandideh, and their two children.
A severe sentence has also been meted out to Yousef Naderkhani’s lawyer Mohammad Ali Dadkhah: nine years in prison and a ten year ban on practising law for ‘actions and propaganda against the Islamic Regime’. Mr Dadkhah has lodged an appeal against the sentence.
At least seven other Christians remain in prison solely for their faith in the doctrines of the church of Jesus Christ. They are: Vahik Abrahamian; Farshid Fathi; Abrahim Firouzi; Masoud Delijani; and Noorollah Ghabitzadeh.

Pray for:

• Clear annulment of death sentence for Yousef Naderkhani
• Acquittal and release of all Christians held in prison
• Hostility of government towards Christians to end

]]> http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/yousef-naderkhani-nothing-is-certain/feed/ 0 Whole families, equals great church growth http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/whole-families-equals-great-church-growth/ http://www.iran30.org/suffering-but-growing-church/whole-families-equals-great-church-growth/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:34:54 +0000 admin http://www.iran30.org/?p=853 Last week five Iranians came to Christ in a church planted about a year ago. The pastor and his wife are encouraged. But what is even more encouraging is that in the last few months five whole families have joined the church. There was a time when the Iranian church seemed to attract young single people whose faith at best was barely tolerated by their family. This seems to be changing, and it is very healthy. It is healthy for the family members to grow in their faith together, and it means that witness to the extended family is more influential.

Pray for:

• These five families who have become Christians.
• For good Christian teaching for families.
• For more whole families to come to faith.

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