Iranian Christians Defy “Bad-Guy” Image

INTERVIEW

To some believers in the West, “Iranian Christian” might seem like a contradiction in terms. But there is a believing community in Iran. Though small, it is growing. Anthropologist Miriam Adeney interviewed Ebrahim “Abe” Ghaffari, director of Iranian Christians International, Inc., who discussed the state of Iranian believers in Iran and in other parts of the world.

How is the Iranian church faring?

During the first two years of the revolution, there was relative freedom in Iran. Churches distributed their literature in front of the University of Tehran, and on the sidewalks of Tehran. Now it is illegal to share the gospel in Iran. Christians have been jailed because of their witness, and pressure is being applied to converts by their families, friends, and employers.

Has this affected church growth?

The Iranian church is growing at an unprecedented rate. The same church that had less than a handful of converts when I visited it in the mid-1970s now has more than 500 Muslim converts. Since the revolution, several thousand Iranian Muslims have put their faith in Christ.

Approximately how many Iranian believers are there?

The most reliable estimates put the number at over 12,000, of which about half reside in Iran.

There is no way of estimating the number of secret believers, though some claim there are thousands. Evangelistic radio programs are broadcast into Iran daily, with many responding. One radio ministry receives over 300 letters each month. Some of these letters tell of decisions for Christ.

In spite of—or perhaps because of—persecution, more and more Iranians are turning to Christ and growing in their faith.

What other countries have concentrations of Iranian believers?

The U.S., Canada, West Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, England, Holland, Australia, India, and several Middle Eastern countries all have large groups of Iranian Christians. Of the one million Iranians residing in the U.S., about 3,000 are believers.

What can American Christians do to help Iranian brothers and sisters in America?

The most important thing is to make us feel at home. At one church, a well-meaning American Christian made a joke about Iranians being terrorists. Comments like that cause hurt and resentment.

Second, Iranian refugees, as first-generation Americans, have practical needs. Canadian churches have been sponsoring Iranian refugees for some time, but we also need more American church sponsors.

And third, we need American churches to help establish and support local Iranian fellowships, churches, and pastors, and to become involved in evangelistic outreach and discipleship of Iranians.

Do certain interpretations of prophecy foster prejudice?

Yes. For example, many churches emphasize the prophecy in Ezekiel 38 regarding, according to their interpretation, Russia uniting with Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya to march against Israel. Iranians, they feel, are the enemy of Israel and thus the enemy of God. So they do not deserve to be saved or are beyond salvation.

What is your hope for Christ’s people in Iran?

Twelve thousand believers may not sound like very many to American Christians. But since the Islamic invasion of Iran in the seventh century, there have never been this many followers of Jesus in this area at one time. The spiritual harvest is ripe and must be harvested now.

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