Cut off from the World but not from the Almighty: How Iran is Hearing the Gospel During Crisis

As protests in Iran turn violent, Iranians are being cut off from the rest of the world — but that has not stopped the message of Jesus.

TWR is playing a key role in bringing the hope of the Lord Jesus to millions of Persians.

The Iranian government’s crackdown in January left thousands of protesters dead and many more injured. The government shut down the internet, meaning the world has been largely cut off from events inside the country.

But that hasn’t stopped the message of Jesus. TWR’s ministry to Iran is speaking through radio and online channels bringing comfort and hope at a time of sorrow, devastation and chaos.

TWR’s Farsi ministry director, whom we’ll call Brother F, is working tirelessly to maintain contact with the Farsi production team and those on the ground in Iran who are seeking to offer spiritual and practical help. But the situation is dire, Brother F said in an interview.

“Change is needed — for nature, electricity, water and basic necessities,” he said. “These things must be addressed urgently. Otherwise, Iran faces disaster. The people hate religion, but they are craving a relationship with a loving God who offers living water. They want to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we explain who Jesus is and how he wants to be in their lives and love them, they want to listen – they want to hear that message.”

The protests are wide-ranging, Brother F said, and stem from Iran’s financial woes. “Many are feeling they simply can’t exist due to the cost-of-living crisis,” he said. “There have been protests before, but this is different because the people are looking to [exiled] Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as their leader, and he has been addressing the people from outside Iran. It seems the people feel they have nothing to lose.”

TWR is reaching Iran via Medium Wave radio programs as well as has three online radio stations on the air in Iran, Brother F said:

• The “normal” station, Persian World Radio.
• Persian Word of God radio, where God’s Word is shared in Dari, Luri and other languages of the region.
• Persian Worship Radio.

“Persian World Radio wants to spread a message of hope for Iran,” Brother F said. “We also broadcast programs to women in Iran. Women of Hope is one of the beautiful programs we have.

I also use my TV experience from Transform Iran. We share the TV programs on our radio stations. And when we make new TV programs, we don’t create them only for television but also for radio. I teach others how they can start programs that are meaningful, including for radio stations.”

Moreover, Iranians send in ideas and programs, he said. They are given the opportunity to record their own programs, and they help Brother F and his team understand the situation on the ground. “This helps us stay closer to the people in Iran.”
 

Where is Iran in the Bible?

 “I often ask Christians, ‘What do you know about Iran?’” Brother F said. “They usually say nothing or just a little bit. But the truth is, they know a lot when they read the Bible. In the Old Testament, you read about Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah—all of these stories took place in Persia. In the Bible, there is more about the culture of Iran than about some other cultures. Esther lived in a Persian marriage, not a Jewish one. It is interesting to note that this marriage was also part of God's plan for his people.”

King Cyrus of Persia showed great respect for the Jewish people, Brother F continued.

In Daniel 6, it is reported that Cyrus said: "In my country, the God of Daniel will be exalted." There is a clear connection between the Jewish people and the Iranians, or Persians, for more than 3,000 years, Brother F said. “At the temple of Daniel in Shushdar you have the traces of Mordecai and Esther.”

How can we be praying for the people of Iran?

• That Iranians will be free to walk and worship through the places of biblical history
• For the gospel to continue to be heard in a mighty way throughout Iran
• For spiritual and practical needs to be met and for the killing to end
• Read more in Call to Prayer for Iran

By standing in prayer and support, we can lift up the people of Iran during a time when both faith and action are deeply needed. Our Farsi Ministry team is working tirelessly to connect with communities in Iran, foster hope and share messages of Jesus Christ, who has the power to save, comfort and heal. Let us pray for these efforts and for a future filled with unity, restoration and peace for Iran.

We invite you to make a difference and support TWR’s ministry in Iran.