Story number 3 for 21 Aug 2003

(Iran)–Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic Republic in 1979. Since then, ministry has been difficult. Words of Hope’s Lee DeYoung says they’re broadcasting in the Farsi language because spiritual hunger is growing as witnessed by the increasing number of listeners to the broadcasts. “It’s really a time of polarization, where witness for Christians in the Islamic world is, in some ways, meeting with fiercer opposition, and some of the restrictions and concerns and risks and dangers are notably increasing.” DeYoung requests prayer for believers in Iran. “There’s still a real issue of difficulty of any person, who has come from a Muslim background, being seen going into a(n) open Christian church. So, most of the growth of the Iranian church has been underground, unknown to the government, or at least not under direct observation and surveillance.”