Reaching The Children

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14

It’s Time to Impact the Next Generation

The children of Iran are facing immense challenges: oppressive regimes, poverty, war, and a growing mental health crisis. Many are exposed to adults struggling with depression, anxiety, or addiction – putting them at high risk for trauma. These children are at a critical age, where they are forming their worldviews, making choices about their future, and discovering their identity.

At Transform Iran, we are dedicated to supporting Christian children of Iran by providing hope, resources, and community to help them not just survive, but thrive. We empower them to stand strong in their faith and confidently embrace their identity in Christ. Our vision is to equip them to be powerful witnesses to their peers, sharing the gospel with those around them.

Why is it Important to Reach the Children of Iran?

These children are the future of Iran. It is imperative we reach them with the message of the gospel while they are young in order to effectively reach our whole nation for Christ. This is the age at which worldviews are formed; it is also the age at which children make choices that effect their future and their understanding of their value and identity.

The government of Iran is teaching the children that their voice does not matter; that their future can and must be decided by their nearest male relative; that women should be covered, subservient to men, treated as objects, used for pleasure and discarded at will; and that children born out of abusive relationships are illegitimate and less valuable to society.

Children are being taught an image of God that is unpredictable, subject to wrath, always looking at deeds (over heart), requiring obedience and ready to punish those who fail him. They are being taught that they cannot question God, must prize their religious routines and devotion above all else, that jihad is honorable, and Jews and Christians must be eliminated.

We want to reach these children with the hope of Jesus, empowering them to overcome daily persecution and recognize false teachings before they take root. As we protect them from harmful worldviews and misconceptions about their loving Heavenly Father, they can better understand the message of Christ and their identity in Him.

How is Transform Iran Reaching the Children of Iran?

Using Media in Outreach

Through dedicated specially created media, supported by trained children’s ministers, we can ensure that the message of the gospel is heard and understood by the children of Iran and those who respond to it are discipled and mentored so that they can grow in a meaningful personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Developing a national icon: for more than 20 years, Iran’s children have loved a cheeky, curious TV puppet called ‘Chera’ (=Why). Iran’s national TV statistics say 10 million children have watched Chera programs.

In 2014, the producer and puppeteer for this national icon joined forces with Transform Iran and helped create a direct response: ‘Chonke’ (=Because). Chonke uses the original voice of the puppet Chera. About 100 episodes were created and have been aired many times since, with overwhelmingly positive response. We are currently preparing for a relaunch transitioning the beloved Chonke into animation.

Developing a digital resource center: through generous investment by strategic partners, we have created a bespoke children’s website with a growing wealth of resources for parents, children’s pastors and teachers, as well as gospel presentations for children, interactive games, Christian TV and audio programs for children and more. www.cherachonke.com is a groundbreaking evangelism tool for the children of Iran.

In-Person Outreach

Through a series of tailored weekly community outreach programs (OCJ), Christian children – and those they are reaching – are brought together to build community, engage in educational recreational activities, learn about Jesus, and grow in their own identity and faith. Peer-to-peer fellowship strengthens the children in their understanding of the gospel and in their confidence in evangelism.

Humanitarian aid meets their physical needs, including nutritious meals, winter clothing, personalized gifts. Prayer and spiritual support ministers to the whole family.

This is an exciting way to give children an opportunity to truly understand who Jesus is, what He has done for them, and to encounter Him in person.

In closed countries like Iran and Afghanistan, we do this in much smaller groups in homes, with careful consideration to their safety. Here the availability of quality digital media through www.cherachonke.com becomes imperative.

Read more about Operation Christmas Joy (OCJ) here

Training Children’s Workers

Transform Iran provides in-depth and in-person training so that children’s pastors and evangelists are raised up who will ensure the message of the gospel is presented to children in a way that can be easily digested and that will resonate with their hearts.