Iran (MNN) — “The Iranian nation will not surrender,” said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a Wednesday broadcast.
Other international voices have their own messages. As of Wednesday, the UN says diplomacy still is the best path forward. Russia offers to mediate even from its own position of three years of war. Meanwhile, the U.S. on Tuesday called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Yet in the international cacophony, don’t miss the grand reversal happening spiritually in Iran. Brother V with Global Catalytic Ministries at RTN Ministries (Reaching the Nations) says, “Fifty years ago, if you talk to Iranian[s], they will never hear your word. They don’t want to hear about Christian[s], [or] Jesus.”
Today, disillusionment with Islam has led to a far different overtone.
“Even through this persecution, through this evil government, people are now so open to hear God’s Word and His love,” Brother V says. “Because Iranians [are] desperately looking for that love which is mentioned in the entire Bible: the love that God provided through His Son, Jesus, to us.”
That love drew Brother V to Christ from his Muslim upbringing. “This [openness], as a Christian, make[s] me excited to share the gospel with them, because they don’t want this idol Islam. This is a great opportunity.”
If you tend to think of Iran as the enemy, remember that many, many Christians live there. Consider it as part of the Body of Christ, says Brother V.
“I believe Iran will be a great testimony for [the] world, how the dark country turn to the light through Jesus,” he says.
“Iran is a sick country right now. But when Jesus heals it, even it will be a testimony for Jews to hear that this is the real Messiah they need to believe in.”
Please pray for the gospel to shine out from the Iranian Church even in today’s conflict. Take action on their behalf as God leads. Learn how Global Catalytic Ministries is working in this space here.
(Read the perspective of an Israeli brother with Global Catalytic Ministries on the Israel-Iran conflict here.)
Header photo: Women in Iran wearing the traditional hijab and loose-fitting clothing required by sharia law. (Photo courtesy of mostafa meraji/Unsplash)
