Dear Friend,
As Ali, an Iranian believer, describes the horrendous experience he and his wife endured while imprisoned in Iran, one can’t help feeling both unworthy and humbled to be in the presence of someone who loves Jesus so deeply.
In the midst of their prison experience Ali states, “The Iranian prison guards told me they tortured my wife and did evil things to her… My heart was broken for my sweet Leila. We were in Evin prison and I have to be honest and tell you I was scared.
The guards beat me daily and demanded I give them names of the underground church leaders we worked with. But Jesus was there with me and through His strength I didn’t give them one name. Neither did Leila! When we were released, I was so thankful to see she survived.”
And then amazingly he says, “We both would do it all over for more Iranians to be saved! You see in Iran, there is no gospel without persecution. This is our life. It’s just like Jesus said it would be. We joyfully accept this!” He asks, “Pray for the Iranian Church.”
Despite persecution, people are coming to faith from former Islamic Mullahs to ordinary people.
Terry Ascott, founder and CEO of SAT-7, stated “There seems to be a crisis of faith in Iran, perhaps because of the abuse of power by ‘religious’ leaders, the economic problems, and the violent oppression of any dissent.”
Yet, to the surprise of Iranian religious leaders Christianity is growing faster in the Islamic Republic of Iran than in any other country in the world. More Iranians have come to faith in Jesus in the last 20 years than in the previous 1,300 years.
In 1979, when the Iranian Revolution took place there were fewer than 500 known Christians from a Muslim background in Iran. Today, there are at least 500,000 new believers. Some sources believe there may be over 1 million. Incredibly, Iranians are not merely surviving persecution… they are thriving.
An Iranian church leader recently asked, “What if I told you Islam is dead? What if I told you the mosques are empty inside Iran?” he continues. “What if I told you no one follows Islam inside of Iran? Would you believe me? This is exactly what is happening inside of Iran. God is moving powerfully…”
He surprisingly added, “the best evangelist for Jesus was the Ayatollah Khomeini? The ayatollahs brought the true face of Islam to light and people discovered it was a lie… After 40 years under Islamic law — a utopia according to them — they’ve had the worst devastation in Iran’s 5,000-year history.”
SECRET ACCESS MINISTRY
AsiaLink partners In Iran have asked for your help in training new leaders through our SECRET ACCESS Ministry, and in providing God’s Word.
New technologies are creating opportunities to train new leaders, and distribute Bibles to thousands of unreached Muslims completely under the radar of authorities, and you can help make it happen. Our partners have found a secure way to provide online training to those interested in becoming pastors.
This technology provides SECRET ACCESS, allowing trainees to access video lectures, web-based reading and online discussions without fear of detection from authorities. Already, future pastors are being trained and hundreds are eagerly waiting.
It costs $970 ($80.83 a month) to equip and train a future Christian leader in this closed nation that is desperate for Bible teaching. Help train a future pastor for only $80.83 a month. Sponsor them for a month – 2 months or even half a year!
SHORTAGES OF BIBLES IN IRAN
It’s difficult to get printed Bibles into Islamic Iran, so our partners distribute God’s Word on little microchips instead. No bigger than a fingernail, each microchip contains a copy of the Bible.
The microchips, which can be used on cellphones and computer displays, God’s Word in a variety of languages along with evangelistic videos aimed at sharing the gospel with Muslims. Each chip costs $7 to produce and ship. $35 provides 5 Bibles!
Many Muslims are disillusioned with Islam, and are searching for truth. These microchip Bibles loaded with additional information will help introduce a Muslim to Jesus! Why not provide 5 Bibles, 10, 50 or even a 100 Bibles as your Christmas gift for Iran! Your gift will change lives!
“Remain a Christian and I’ll kill you.” Shocking words for anyone to hear. But what if it was your father who spoke them? ‘Hiding in the Light: Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus’ tells the courageous story of a young teenager Rifqa Bary who heard her father say those words to her. This book is our special Christmas offer for you!
This Christmas you can be a partner in the greatest revival that has ever taken place in a Muslim nation, by helping train a pastor or providing Bibles! This door of opportunity is open now – make a difference today by sending your gift today! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rev. Dale R. Hiscock
Executive Director
PS: Help train 20 new pastors and provide 5,000 Bibles for Iran! To continue our work throughout Asia we need ongoing partners. Please consider becoming a monthly Harvest Partner! You can give by credit card, cheque, e-transfer or by calling (519) 624 – 0223.