Here in the West, it’s easy to forget that behind headlines and politics are 80 million people – men, women, and children whom God deeply loves. Scripture tells us that Christ “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” That includes Iran.

This story takes you inside a nation in spiritual turmoil and introduces you to the ministry working to bring hope, healing, and transformation through the gospel.

Read the article below or watch the full interview with Ben Quine and Lana Silk.

A Vision for a Transformed Iran

Lana Silk, CEO of Transform Iran USA, explains the mission simply: “We want every man, woman, and child in Iran to hear the gospel in a way they can understand – and be discipled as their lives are changed.”

Transform Iran works toward nationwide spiritual transformation -not by force, politics, or coercion, but by hearts changed by the love and power of Christ. Lana explains:

When individuals encounter Jesus, communities shift. When communities shift, a nation can be renewed.

“If you want to see a nation change, you start with the people. If a church is alive, active, healthy, thriving and fruitful, it’s automatically going to influence the community that that church is based in. And if you have churches up and down the country like that, then you see transformation in multiple communities. And from there, the nation can truly be redeemed. For us, nothing less is good enough. We want Iran for Jesus.”

Read more about Transform Iran’s church planting work

Only the Gospel Brings True Change

For decades, the Iranian government has enforced morality from the outside through rules, fear, and coercion. But the gospel does the opposite. It heals and restores from the inside. It’s bringing the kind of change that the Iranian people are longing for.

Many Iranians longed for justice, purity, and truth during the revolution in the 1970s. They believed Islam would bring it. But nearly 50 years later, reality has set in: the system built to fix the nation has instead deepened its wounds.

Today in Iran, Islam is being unmasked. Iranians, who are a deeply spiritual people, continue to seek God -but now they are asking deeper questions. And God is answering.

When the gospel does what only the gospel can do, the change is inside-out. Then there’s a natural effect in the community.

Lana continues: “Jesus talks about telling the roots of the tree from the fruit of the tree – the fruit of the tree gives everything away. It’s an overflow of what’s already happened in someone’s life. When you do it the other way, then you’re talking about religion and control.”

Why Iranians Are Turning to Christ

After decades of pain and disappointment, Iranians are searching for something real, something true.

The government has been trying to conform its people’s behavior to what they think is acceptable to God, but they’re punishing any kind of divergence from that in brutal ways, and people are buckling under it.

“The Word of God tells us that the enemy is the father of lies. He masquerades lies as truth and manipulates people into thinking they’ve found the answer to their prayers, but they’re falling from one well into another. What they really need is Jesus.” Lana shares, “Iranians want to know God. They want to understand how to relate to Him. In that process, Jesus is saying, It’s Me you’re looking for.”

They don’t always know it’s Jesus they’re looking for. But as they seek, He reveals Himself.

Stories of dreams, visions, answered prayers, and supernatural encounters are becoming common. Christ is pursuing and making Himself known to those who are seeking. He is wooing people to Himself, He is appearing to them supernaturally, He is answering their prayers.

The Iranian Church: Alive and Underground

There is no religious freedom in Iran. Islam is the only acceptable religion.

There are a few small exceptions. Ethnic minorities, such as Armenians or Assyrians, are allowed to have Christian churches and worship, but only in their own language. They cannot allow anyone from a Muslim background to attend, preach in Farsi, or for anyone to use Farsi Bibles. These restrictions effectively prevent any kind of evangelism.

Christian gatherings in Farsi are illegal. Evangelism is illegal. Conversion from Islam is illegal.

If the government finds out that somebody had turned to Christ, they would immediately be imprisoned, tortured, harassed and have their businesses closed, which means lost livelihoods. Whatever the government can think of to do to stifle Christianity, they’re doing.

We have pastors who haven’t seen their children in years because they turned to Jesus. There is a real price being paid.

So believers meet quietly – in homes, in secret, in small groups. And they know the cost.

And yet, the underground church is vibrant, passionate, and deeply faithful. Scripture, worship, and fellowship become lifelines that are precious in ways Western believers often forget.

Technology Unlocks Access to the Gospel

Transform Iran has pioneered the use of technology to reach people across the country despite restrictions. Weekly satellite TV broadcasts, including live Friday church services, allow viewers to connect, ask questions, and even share testimonies of healing. Two 24/7 Christian radio stations extend this reach, while social media and an interactive online apologetics center provide a safe space for Muslims and seekers to explore questions about faith and encounter Jesus.

The ministry also offers an online Bible college, trauma counseling, a free and secure VPN and other digital resources, to help people understand the gospel and grow spiritually, despite strict censorship and surveillance.

More about Transform Iran’s extensive ministry programs

Pearl of Persia: Healing Women and Children

One of Transform Iran’s key initiatives is Pearl of Persia, a ministry that supports victims of trauma, abuse, and addiction – who are most often women and children. Many women in Iran have been taught that their worth and voice hold little value, and they are constrained by male authority in nearly every aspect of life. Pearl of Persia brings healing and restoration through the dignity, value, and hope that Jesus has for them. As Lana shares:

Women in Iran have been fed a lie about their value their whole lives. Jesus says something completely different.

For many, this brings a radical re-education and life-changing truth. They learn how Jesus treated women in His time, including choosing women as the first witnesses of His resurrection – a choice that, at the time, would have been socially unthinkable.

Read more about our Pearl of Persia ministry

A Spiritual Battle Needing Global Prayer

Transform Iran stands on the front lines of a deep spiritual battle – not just for Iran, but for the entire Middle East.

The enemy does not want to let go of Iran. We need our brothers and sisters around the world to pray.

Lana encourages believers to pray informed. Their monthly newsletter shares specific prayer requests – relating to Bible translations, outreach initiatives, trauma healing, children’s programs, and at-risk leaders – which allows global supporters to partner directly in ministry.

Partnership in prayer makes believers part of the story.

A Challenge to the Western Church

As someone who lives in the United States and enjoys its freedoms, Lana challenges herself and the Western Church to live convicted by the suffering church in Iran:

They pay a great price to follow Jesus – and they gladly pay it. He is everything to them.

In contrast, Western Christianity can become comfortable, selective, or even consumer-driven. Yet Jesus’ words remind us: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Lana challenges us to see our faith as precious again. To embrace discomfort. To risk obedience. To note take spiritual freedom for granted.

Prayers for Iran and the Global Church

A Prayer for Iran
That God would redeem the nation, break spiritual chains, reveal Christ to those searching, protect the persecuted church, and transform even the hearts of the persecutors.

A Prayer for America
That the church would awaken, use its resources wisely, live boldly for Christ every day, be a faithful influence extending beyond national borders, and stand with the persecuted church through steadfast prayer and true solidarity.

How You Can Stand With Iran

• Pray – specifically and consistently
• Learn – stay informed about what God is doing
• Support – give to ministries offering real help and real hope
• Share – advocate for the people of Iran, not the politics

God is moving in Iran in ways the world rarely sees – and He invites all believers to be part of the story.

Interview originally published on: The Stream