Christian News from Iran – Muslims are Finding Jesus!: Uncommon Sense in Current Times

In a world where Christianity is met with severe persecution, especially in countries like Iran, the stories of conversions and believers persevering in their faith are both inspiring and humbling. This conversation between Peter Demos (Uncommon Sense in Current Times) and Lana Silk (Transform Iran) about the underground church in Iran highlights not only the incredible resilience of Christians in a hostile environment, but also the power of technology in helping them remain connected and faithful in the face of great danger.

The below article is an abbreviated version of the conversation. For the full interview, watch the 30-minute video above.

The Struggles of Faith in Iran

One of the most striking aspects of the discussion is the very real danger that Christians face in Iran. Referring to the risk that comes with embracing Christianity in a country where Islam dominates, Lana explains:

It’s punishable by death. Yet before we get to a point of death, there are so many other ways in which the government will harass and intimidate people.

The Iranian government employs a range of tactics to silence Christians, from shutting down businesses to making it difficult for believers to find work. The aim? To create enough fear to make people abandon their faith. And yet, despite the constant threat, the Iranian church continues to grow. Many believers are forced to hide their faith, often at great personal cost, but for some, this becomes an opportunity to live out their faith in a way that feels raw and real.

Keeping Faith Alive Amidst Persecution

As the conversation turns to the practical side of ministry, Lana shares how Transform Iran helps believers remain committed to their faith in an incredibly hostile environment and that, in many ways, persecution forces believers to prioritize their faith and develop a deeper intimacy with God. Unlike the kind of Christianity that is common in the West, where many can easily access churches, podcasts, and Bibles, Iranian Christians are pushed to truly rely on God for their survival.

This intimacy with God, while born out of necessity, has become a defining characteristic of the faith for many in Iran.

You speak to a lot of believers who come out of that environment … and they’ll say, ‘Those were some of my sweetest, most powerful, intimate times in my faith.’

The harsh reality of living under constant threat of arrest, or worse, makes their relationship with God personal and direct – it’s a matter of survival, not just belief.

The hostility forces that deep intimacy and dependency on Jesus.

Leveraging Technology for Connection

But how does one remain committed to their faith when gathering with other believers could result in arrest? How does one experience Christian fellowship in such a restrictive environment? The answer lies in technology.

Transform Iran has developed a digital church network that serves as a lifeline for Iranian believers. Each month, about 20,000-25,000 Iranians connect to this online community to participate in services, join prayer rooms, and access Bible resources. This network offers different levels of engagement depending on the believer’s comfort and safety. For some, it’s simply about watching a recorded sermon. For others, it’s about engaging in live Zoom meetings or joining intimate prayer rooms with small groups of fellow believers. Lana adds:

We try to keep it as relational as we can do it through our digital church.

For many believers, these digital gatherings are the only chance they get to interact with others who share their faith. It’s a powerful testament to how technology can be used as a tool for spiritual survival and growth in an environment where public Christian worship is illegal.

Theological Challenges: Answering Big Questions

The conversation also delves into the theological challenges Iranian Christians face as they transition from Islam to Christianity.

One of the biggest obstacles in these discussions is the concept of Jesus’ deity, a difficult topic for Muslims. Many Muslims struggle with the idea of the Trinity and the idea that God could be born of a human, with a common question being:

How can he be the Son of God and the Son of Man at the same time?

The conversation between Peter and Lana continues to discuss how these theological hurdles are often met with personal encounters that lead many to embrace Christ. Believers often share stories about how Jesus appeared to them personally or led them through difficult moments, providing them with undeniable experiences that reinforced their newfound faith.

Many of these theological questions really stem from a deep search for truth and authenticity.

The everyday people are after a personal experience of God that is meaningful and real.

At the same time, there is a great need to address more theological issues, such as the concept of the Trinity and the integrity of the Bible. Many Muslims believe that the Bible has been corrupted over time, and part of Transform Iran’s work is helping them understand why Christians believe in the Bible’s reliability despite its many versions and translations.

Another stark contrast between Islam and Christianity is around the understanding of the nature of God. For example, the mercy of God that allows a believer to question Him. Lana explains:

The God of the Bible welcomes questions. I mean, even if you just look through Job, there’s a dialogue. It’s okay to have questions, but now, ‘let Me ask you some of My own’.

In Christianity, God invites open communication and honest questioning, a concept largely absent in Islam, where believers are discouraged from questioning God and are expected to submit without doubt or challenge. This difference highlights a key aspect of the Christian faith; relational dialogue with God.

Transform Iran offers the only Christian apologetics ministry in Farsi, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each month and directly addressing the questions of those seeking answers.

Sunni vs. Shia: Navigating the Islamic Divide

In Iran, the religious landscape is dominated by Shia Islam, but there is also a significant Sunni population. While the main focus of Transform Iran’s apologetics ministry is on reaching Shia Muslims, there is also a need to understand the subtleties of Sunni Islam.

The core mission of the ministry remains the same: to help people discover Jesus in a personal way, regardless of their denominational background. Lana shares:

There are very subtle differences, but by and large, even the Sunnis in Iran will have that sort of Shia filter and understanding as well.

The key challenge is not only addressing theological questions but also guiding people to Jesus through personal experiences, which is especially difficult given the restrictions and isolation that many Muslims in Iran face.

How You Can Help: Prayer and Support

Despite the harsh realities, revival is happening in Iran. The Christian faith is growing in ways that are both surprising and exciting. But the work is far from done, and Iranian believers still need support in a variety of ways.

For those looking to get involved or learn more, Transform Iran offers numerous resources on their website, including informative articles about life in Iran, the history of the church in Iran, Iran in the Bible, access to monthly newsletters, and opportunities to pray for and support the ministry’s work. As Lana points out:

Iran is key to change in the Middle East. Prayer for the country is more important than ever.

To get involved or learn more about what’s happening in Iran, visit TransformIran.com.

This interview was originally published on: PeterDemos.org