Iran (MNN) — The peace of Christ that Christians celebrate today takes on even deeper meaning in places marked by war or hostility. Take Iran, where five Christians were recently sentenced to a combined total of more than 50 years in prison. Their crimes, in the government’s eyes, included taking communion, reading Scripture, and celebrating Christmas.
Joe Willey serves with SAT-7, a satellite TV ministry to the Middle East and North Africa. The team knows their programs are a lifeline for isolated believers.
SAT-7 programs are a lifeline for isolated believers. (Photo courtesy of SAT-7)
“We have to really consider and not be glib about what they are going through, and not just say, ‘Oh, it will be okay,’ although we know in Christ it will be okay,” Willey says.
Instead of glibness, SAT-7 programs strive for gospel grit. That’s one reason why Iranian expats serve across the SAT-7 team. They bring cultural and personal understanding to create biblically sound content to minister to Iran and beyond. Christians aren’t the only audience they hope their content will serve.
“We can pray for the Christian community to be strong, to stand fast,” says Willey. “But what also is happening in Iran is that people who have been under a real burden of religion, they have been turning to atheism. Because they say, ‘If this is religion, I don’t want any part of it.’ Until they hear the Gospel, until they hear about grace, until they hear about forgiveness. And it changes everything.”
Pray that God uses SAT-7 and other media ministries to soften hearts across Iran — perhaps for the first time — to Jesus today.
Visit SAT-7’s website to read stories of God’s work in the MENA region, and to learn how to partner with this ministry. “See what’s going on in the Middle East and North Africa, and pray,” invites Willey.
Header photo: An Iranian woman stands at an overlook with a panoramic view of Tehran, Iran. Tehran is the capital of Iran and its largest city, with the greater metro area hosting a population of 15 million. (Photo and caption courtesy of IMB, CC 4.0)
