By Joanne Khmel

Iran (MNN) — Iranian pastors are traveling far and wide to support Christians facing isolation, hardship, and persecution.

Lana Silk of Transform Iran says the reality of persecution keeps many Christians separated, often gathering only in small groups or having little contact with other believers. “It’s been really isolating for the believers,” she adds.

To help meet both spiritual and physical needs, pastors travel to visit believers and bring practical assistance. Economic pressures have made daily life increasingly difficult for many families.

“It’s a struggle for survival, and they’re having to make difficult choices between whether they feed their families or buy the essential medicine,” says Silk.

The aid includes food, health and hygiene items, and medical supplies. Beyond meeting immediate needs, these acts of care are also creating opportunities for Gospel witness. One testimony tells of a wife who had prayed for years that her husband would come to faith in Christ.

“When the pastor came to visit and minister to the family, it was so profoundly powerful for this man that he opened his heart to the Gospel and chose to follow Jesus,” says Silk.

Another story comes from a group of new believers living in deep isolation. Silk says: “They’d just been praying for a long time that one day a Christian might visit them in their home.”

When a pastor miraculously arrived at their door, they saw it as a direct answer to prayer and a tangible reminder of God’s care for them. Silk says these personal visits are having a profound impact on believers who often feel forgotten.

“That one-to-one human touch is really helping strengthen the believers at a time of great struggle,” says Silk.

The ministry’s goal is not only to provide practical help but also to walk alongside suffering Christians. Quoting one of Transform Iran’s ministry partners, Silk says: “We can’t take away their suffering, but we can make sure that they never suffer alone.”

Pray that God will continue to strengthen this ministry through timely support, wisdom, and guidance. Pray also for endurance, encouragement, and steadfast faith among Iranian believers as they face ongoing challenges.

Despite the difficulties, Silk says the church in Iran remains vibrant and faithful:

“The church in Iran is not weak. It’s a wonderful, thriving, God-loving church, but they are suffering, and we have an opportunity to come alongside them.”

Visit Transform Iran to learn how they encourage and support the Iranian Church.

Header photo: Road in Tehran (photo courtesy of Mehdi Khoshnejad via Pexels)

Inset images: Representing support (photo courtesy of Arif Syuhada via Pexels) and photo of Tehran, Iran (courtesy of Hamid Mohammad Hossein Zadeh Hashemi via Unsplash)

Originally published on: Mission Network News