Iran: Church is ‘alive... underground... and courageous’

The church in Iran may have largely been forced underground, but it continues to meet together for worship and provide for those in need.

In a recent update on the situation, the Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution pointed to a key dilemma facing many Iranian citizens.

According to Lindisfarne, research suggests that the increasing Islamisation of a country can lead people to either seek a better way forward from a different faith in search of greater justice and fairness, or it can lead them further into Islamism, believing instead that greater observance of its fundamentals will lead to greater prosperity.

In light of this, Lindisfarne expressed hope that some Iranian Muslims might explore Christianity, but warned that discrimination against believers is only likely to worsen due to the ongoing war, with the ruling Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently announcing that no leniency will be shown to those arrested during widespread protests at the start of the year.

The update warned: “[The regime] has begun executing a number of [those who were arrested], having found them guilty of “Moharebeh” (waging war against God). As this is one of the offences Christians are frequently charged with, it raises the possibility that they could begin judicially executing Christians, something the regime has not officially done since the execution of Revd Hossein Soodmand in 1990.”

More positively, Elam Ministries’ Chrissy Parkes told en that the much-persecuted Iranian church continues to endure, with many encouragements reported from various sources. She revealed that churches across the nation continue to “bravely” meet together underground and some Christians are helping to provide essential food to neighbours as prices rise, with many even having found opportunities to share the gospel.

She detailed an example of encouraging growth: “We have heard from one house church that had nine members before the war began. As they continued to meet, friends and family became curious about the peace they exuded despite the war and started coming along to the meetings to find out more.

“Today, there are 21 who attend this house church, most of whom have expressed faith in Christ. It would be great to pray that this story would be replicated across the nation so that many can meet the Prince of Peace in these days.”

In a recent video message, Elam’s Executive Director David Yeghnazar said: “The church in Iran is alive. Believers may have been forced underground, but there are many of them and they are courageous. Even in the middle of war, they are telling others about the risen Jesus and the hope He gives.”