Media

How Media is Transforming the Lives of Iranians Amidst Persecution

Media is an essential tool for reaching Iranians with the gospel, discipling converts, and resourcing and developing leaders as they plant churches. Media offers safety and anonymity, as well as easy, free and fast access to a huge wealth of resources.  

After the Islamic revolution of 1979, Christians faced increasing opposition and persecution: All missionaries were forcibly removed, evangelism was outlawed, Farsi (Persian) Bibles were banned, and several pastors were martyred. The use of media also came under strict control (learn more here).

Iranians cannot trust their own media and use satellite TV and social media to try and gain accurate information from outside their borders. The population is disillusioned and searching for an alternative. Despite Satellite TV being banned, over 70% continue to defy the authorities and use dishes to access media from outside the country. This is a powerful time to be in media ministry. 

Transform Iran uses a full range of media to bring the message of hope to Iranians: TV, radio, Internet, social media and mobile apps.

Media reaches the suicidal man whose timely exposure to Sama TV saved his life (and set him on a path to eternal life), the isolated believer who dials in weekly to Digital Church (her only means to Christian community), and the new house church leader who relies on Porpasokh – our apologetics center – to help her strengthen her young flock.

Impacting Millions: TV Ministry Via Satellite and Social Media

Transform Iran pioneered Farsi Christian TV broadcasting in 2000. Since 2001, Sama TV has produced and broadcast daily TV programs from our dedicated media center and TV studio in Almere, Holland. Over 5,000 quality programs have been produced. These are broadcast via Mohabat TV which goes out on both Hotbird 13 A and E7B satellites (the Hotbird Satellite covering Iran and greater part of the Middle East and Europe).

Millions have viewed our content via Mohabat (Mohabat estimates a 16 million viewership), and many thousands via social media channels. We receive hundreds of calls each month in response to Sama TV programming. The follow up team ensure each person hears the gospel, has the opportunity to follow Jesus for themselves and be discipled in their faith. More than 20 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff work together to create Sama TV’s quality programs that offer hosting, preaching, worship, follow up, social media, as well as all the technical production that goes with live TV.  

Transform Iran also broadcasts Live TV programs one hour each week on Friday evenings (8:30pm prime time Iran). These programs are fed live, via Mohabat TV satellite channel, directly from our media center. 

It was almost two years ago when I had just decided to give my heart to Christ, but I was completely lost and unsure of what to do. By chance, I came across Sama TV, and from there your follow up team. From the very beginning, with wisdom, patience, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my counselor started working through the discipleship material with me. She encouraged me to pray and read the Word, answered my questions with wisdom. She was always full of patience and love. The amazing teachings she prepared for me have greatly helped me in my spiritual growth. By God’s grace, I have been set free from many of my weaknesses, and it was – and still is – thanks to your support. I thank God for your presence in my life. I am confident that my Lord Jesus will continue to accomplish many things through you for me.

Expanding Hope: Growing 24/7 Radio Ministry in Multiple Languages 

In partnership with Trans World Radio (TWR), Transform Iran launched Persian World Radio in February 2021, marking a new era of continuous, Farsi-language Christian radio broadcasts. With a mission to bring Bible teaching, worship, and scripture reading into the hearts of millions, Persian World Radio went live with a 24/7 broadcast that’s already transforming lives across Iran and beyond. By December 2021, we expanded our reach with the launch of our website, allowing even more Iranians to access the gospel at their fingertips.

In August 2023, we expanded further with Persian Worship Radio – a 24/7 worship station where Iranians can connect deeply with God through songs in their own language, sung in the music genres and instruments that resonate with them.

We’re not stopping there. In February 2025, we launched our third 24/7 radio station: Persian Word Radio. This groundbreaking station is part of the PWR family alongside Persian World Radio and Persian Worship Radio, and it brings the powerful word of God to the airwaves in five major languages spoken in Iran – Farsi, Gilaki, Azeri, Kurd Sorani, and Balochi – with more languages coming soon. Listen to Persian Word Radio here.

Radio is arguably the most accessible tool for Iranians who still use traditional dialup radios in even the most remote locations right across the country.

With each new station, we’re bringing the hope of the gospel into the hearts of Iranians in their own language, in ways that are accessible, personal, and powerful. Our goal is to continue expanding and reaching even more of the heart languages across the nation.

I was a Marxist and never believed in a creator or source for existence. Religion and religious practices always seemed absurd to me. Opposing God had become a matter of pride. For these beliefs, I was four years in prison by the Islamic Republic of Iran. But the ever-watchful eyes of God were on me even when I sinned and blasphemed and behaved arrogantly. Then through listening to Persian World Radio, I learned about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. To my surprise, God was still waiting for me to return, and over time, my heart began to find peace. One night, I suddenly realized that I was sincerely praying for my friends. How strange it was for me to be praying! Yet, it was this unexpected moment that initiated a profound change within me. Every day, I felt better, especially as I witnessed the impact of both my prayers and the prayers of others. This transformation led me to make the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized. I am incredibly grateful for this blessed radio station, and I hope to contribute to it in the future.

Digital Ministry: Empowering Iranians Through Websites and Social Media 

Transform Iran’s digital ministry has become a vital lifeline for millions, using websites and social media to reach seekers and believers across Iran. Each of our core ministries is supported by its own dedicated website, offering a wealth of resources including archives of teachings, Bible studies, and more. These websites cater to a wide range of needs, from new seekers exploring the faith to scholars delving deep into theology. One notable resource is our Farsi Christian News Network, which has proven to be an invaluable source of real news for Iranians, providing an alternative to the controlled narratives within the country.

In total, more than ten websites are strategically designed to meet the needs of different demographics – whether youth, scholars, or believers at different stages of their faith journey. Last year alone, over 90,000 unique visitors engaged with our websites, resulting in more than 800,000 page views.

Moreover, just like in the West, social media has become a powerful tool for spreading the gospel in Iran. Our media ministries create bespoke content tailored to resonate with Iranian audiences across various platforms, making it easier for individuals to engage, ask questions, and learn more about the Christian faith.

Our dedicated follow-up team ensures each interaction is met with a timely and personal response, helping to build connections and deepen understanding.

By harnessing the power of the internet and social media, Transform Iran is reaching the hearts and minds of Iranians, offering them hope, truth, and a chance to explore Christianity in their own language and context.

Overcoming Barriers: App Reaching Iran’s Youth

The ongoing challenge faced in the Farsi-speaking world is to communicate effectively with seekers and believers in Iran. Phone-based SMS texting systems from outside Iran are blocked by the Iranian government. High speed internet connections are not available to everyone and access is closely controlled by the government. This means many depend on what, for people in the West, is very old technology, ’dial up’ access, which conflicts with modern data-hungry hardware and software systems.  

Iran is a country of young people with over 60% of the population under the age of 30. These young people prefer smartphones as a more flexible way to run their lives. Our research shows that most internet users in Iran are moving away from browsing through websites as it is easier to be traced. They prefer to use apps.

In January 2021, Transform Iran launched ‘Cheshme’ – a unique outreach and early discipleship app. Cheshme means ‘spring of life/water’. The app gives access to a wealth of resources, all free to the user (almost 1,000 30-minute teaching videos, 300 audio messages, 200 books, over 100 articles, 250 worship songs, 100+ teaching sessions for children, over 100 Bible/short stories for children, 12 Christian movies, audio and text Farsi Bibles, audio dramatized Gospels of John in a growing number of Iran’s ethnic ‘heart’ languages, and direct access to Persian Community Church, Meeting Tent Prayer Rooms, Porpasokh Apologetics Center, online Bible College, 24/7 Persian Worship Radio, and our E2GO English School). As at the end of 2024, the app has been downloaded 4,066 times, mostly from Iran, shows that it is in regular use by those who have downloaded it. 

I’m so happy for having this user-friendly app with its simple design in my hand’s reach. God bless you for presenting this great tool which will surely help me grow in my spiritual life. Thank you!

Just $450 will produce 30 minutes of high quality evangelistic or discipleship material for satellite broadcast. This covers all associated costs from travel and lodging, to content creation and honorariums, to production and postproduction.

Read more about media censorship in Iran

Read more about providing safe and remote access to other believers through our digital church