The recent war between Israel and Iran, combined with sanctions and inner conflicts within the Republic, is shaking Iran’s foundations. While it remains unclear if major change is coming soon, one thing is clear: the Church must be strong to stand firm when the time comes.

Panayiotis Keenan from SAT-7 PARS says, “The Iranian people have had enough. They’re looking for a change. The government knows it, the parliament knows it, and it looks like they’re losing control.”

But Christians are not the only ones preparing to enter Iran if the door opens.

Aerial view of Tehran (photo courtesy of Sajad Nori via Unsplash)

“There are also other denominations, if you like, who are ready to step in when the regime falls, teaching not correct theology,” says Keenan.

This highlights the urgent need for solid biblical teaching — both for new believers who lack knowledge and for seekers exploring the faith. “There is a need for us to produce programs which are designed for not yet believers, like introduction to Christianity, introduction to the Gospel,” he explains.

Disappointment with Islam has fueled Iranians’ interest in other religions and ideologies. And unless Christians are nourished with the “solid food” of the Gospel, they will not be able to train themselves to distinguish good from evil (Heb. 5:14), disciple others, and remain steadfast in turbulent times.

Keenan urges preparation:

“We need to prepare ourselves as Christian ministries. We need to prepare our viewers, our audience, to know right from wrong, to know incorrect theology, to identify it, and not accept it.”

SAT-7 PARS is equipping Iranian Christians by creating satellite and online programs. “We teach very basic theology, but we also have seminaries on air for the church leaders.”

Viewers can also call in with questions, opening the door to discipleship through secure Zoom meetings. “If they’re ready to pray, if they’re ready to learn Scripture, if they’re ready to give their life to Christ,” explains Keenan, “and they admit it even on Zoom — before they go and get actually baptized.”

After careful vetting to ensure they are trustworthy and not government informants, some are welcomed into Christian communities! And staying in the Word means they will be ready to respond to the challenges of the time.

This is a historic moment for Iran — and your prayer and action matter! Visit SAT-7 PARS to learn more about their work. Share the link with your Iranian, Afghan, or Tajik acquaintances.

Pray for the right Christian resources to reach and strengthen Iranian church leaders in the Gospel. Pray also for the Church to endure persecution and prepare for the day the door finally opens.

Header photo: Tehran, People gather at a brightly lit mosque at night (Photo courtesy of Mdreza Jalali via Unsplash)

As Ukraine reels from recent deadly attacks in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Kyiv, Kharkiv and other places, political tensions continue to escalate. Despite ongoing peace talks — from Oval Office meetings to negotiations in Vatican — true peace remains elusive. While world leaders debate the best path forward, Russia uses the delays to intensify its attacks along the frontlines. Meanwhile, ordinary Ukrainians continue working, studying, and caring for their families, all while bearing the heavy burden of war-weariness.

Eric Mock of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) shares: “The ceasefire has to happen! The securities need to be there. And it warps the imagination that even in these days, we are seeing senseless destruction.”

In the midst of such devastation, the need for lasting hope becomes even more urgent.

“It’s because the people that are suffering, the people that are dealing with loss, are looking for answers, and the only hope we have, both in good times and in bad — the only hope that we have is the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Mock.

People help each other (Photo courtesy of Youssef Naddam via Unsplash)

Ukrainian churches are rising to meet this challenge. With support from SGA, they’re distributing food, medicine, generators, and other vital supplies. Mock draws a vivid comparison: “So in the middle of the darkest times, even a flicker of a candle casts off great light, and the gospel is being held forth by these churches.”

These efforts are being strengthened by international church partnerships. Through this coordinated aid, as many as 1.8 million people — many of whom had never heard the Gospel before — have now encountered it. Some are gathering in small groups that have begun to form into churches.

“These are faithful small churches with small congregations that originally were aid centers who have now found a common bond, a common love for Christ and for one another, and they’re forming as churches,” Mock explains.

This growing movement has created a new and urgent need: leadership. SGA has committed to raising up a new generation of pastors and ministry leaders. The current goal is to train 1,000 leaders over the next eleven years — a vital task as many pastors are now serving in the military or have lost their lives defending the country.

“As much as we talk about humanitarian aid, we desperately need to see new leaders who are leading these churches, and that becomes a critical thing, that God would raise them up,” says Mock.

Please pray that the Ukrainian church continues to be strategic in both its humanitarian efforts and gospel outreach. Stand with the people of Ukraine. Visit SGA website and get involved in the ministry God lays on your heart. And above all, pray for a swift and just end to this war.

Header image courtesy of Margarita Marushevska via Unsplash.

"As we move into 2007 and reflect on what God is doing
here in the 21st century I think we have seen more open doors and more
accelerating of the harvest and fulfilling the Great Commission than in any
point in my life time. And, it's just an exciting time to be on mission with
God," says Rankin.

Those open doors have also brought with it persecution of
Christians. While communist nations have been notorious for this, many
Christian human rights observers say the Muslim world is quickly becoming more
responsible for this. Rankin agrees. "There is increasing persecution and
as to be expected, a backlash among any movement of Muslim believers to Christ,
but yet we're seeing some very significant church growth movements in the
Muslim world," he says.

Rankin believes the increase in terrorist activity by
radical Islam, "Has just revealed the deficiency in Islam and its true
nature. And, our people all over the world testify that there are a lot of
Muslims out of this cultural environment that have a genuine search for truth
that gives them hope and security and they're not finding that in their Islamic
traditions."

As they search for truth, they're finding it in Christ
alone.  

However, Rankin says the anti-west mentality has forced them
to change their strategy. "Americans have to keep a very low profile and
are not welcome to proselytize and evangelize. So, it involved tweaking our
strategy to be move involved in a very behind the scenes grass-roots
discipleship and train of local believers."

Rankin wishes the only obstacles were terrorists or
government restrictions. He says there's a bigger challenge facing them.
"I think the biggest challenge is the apathy and lethargy in our churches
that are self-centered or in grown, that don't have the vision for their roll
for missions and just stirring them out there apathy to mobilize them and
resource this."

Despite this apathy, Rankin says the IMB is still focused on
an ambitious goal. "We're still pressing forward with our vision, by the
end of 2010 to engage every people group in the world."