Iran’s Underground Church Grows Amid Persecution
The Christian church in Iran is growing, despite the difficultly of worshipping Jesus Christ.
(CNS) — Despite tragedy and persecution, a vibrant underground church is growing in Iran. After an earthquake on Dec. 26 devastated Bam and buried thousands of people under the rubble of their homes, Western churches sent relief to the ancient Iranian city.
With the situation in Bam opening doors previously shut, missions leaders believe the compassionate response of the worldwide church to the disaster could be a catalyst for the nation’s explosive church growth.
Iran is located in the biblical region of ancient Persia — the home of such Bible heroes as Nehemiah, Esther and Daniel. Acts 2 lists Elamites, Parthians and Medes (all Iranians) among those present at the feast of Pentecost celebration in the first century when the Holy Spirit came in power.
Today, the church in Iran is growing — spurred by a fresh, sweeping move of the Holy Spirit and strengthened through the fellowship of suffering believers. Missions experts estimate 20,000-30,000 indigenous evangelical and Pentecostal believers today, most of them from Muslim backgrounds. Some experts — citing an unknown number of “secret” believers — claim the true figure could be much higher.
p. [ "Full Story @ MCJOnline(Iran's Underground Church Grows Amid Persecution)":http://www.mcjonline.com/news/04a/20040811b.shtml ]
p(small). Source: MCJOnline © 2004 Maranatha Christian News Service, Charisma News Service
Filed under: Persecution
Praise the Lord! Check also out http://www.revivaliniran.org for what is happening in the church of Iran.
Praise the Lord!