Story number 1 for 25 Feb 2000

Headlining today’s news, ministry leaders say freedom of religion isn’t coming with reformers who were elected to parliament in Iran. While the reformers, loyal to President Mohammed Khatami, are pledging wide-ranging reforms, Iranian Christian International’s Abe Ghaffari says they won’t affect Christians. “Anyone who abandons Islam, shares the Good News of Christ with the Muslims, these kinds of actions are punishable. I think we’re a long ways from expecting any liberalization in those areas. For example westerners going there and doing any missionary activity.” Ghaffari says despite the persecution, Iranians are coming to Christ. “There are over 100,000 secret believers who have mostly come to Christ through radio programs, through mailings of literature. We do believe that the spiritual interest is great. What is not great is the freedom.” Pray that doors will open for evangelism as reforms take place in Iran.