In Iran, there are no above ground churches. Even underground churches, while effective and growing, are only accessible to 1% of all believers due to fear and security. That is where our Global Church for Iran, or Church 7 strategy, provides a lifeline for the estimated 2 million believers who have no other option for church of any kind. No option for fellowship, discipleship, training or encouragement that is readily available and enjoyed by those of us in the West.
Watch this exciting video to see what Iran Alive Ministries is doing about this problem.
Amir’s execution has been postponed indefinitely. For now, this is very good news, as his execution is no longer imminent and there are no plans to schedule it at this time.
I will give further updates as they develop and know that Amir and his family appreciates your prayers.
Amir’s execution has been postponed. While we are grateful for this development, our prayers are still with him and his family as his future is still uncertain. Please continue to pray for Amir.
5. Will the US and Iran partner in Iraq to stop ISIS?
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
Both have similar interests: to help the current Shiite Government of Iraq maintain control and stop the Sunni ISIS from taking over Iraq.
They may partner in some ways to help stop ISIS but will never acknowledge it publicly.
Iran has a major influence in Iraq where the majority of the population is Shiites and the government is led by Shiites.
Iran’s goal has been to get the US out of Iraq and be the sole influencer of the Shiite Iraqi regime. They are happy that the US has pulled out of Iraq and do not want to see the US’s influence and presence increase. Therefore, they may work with the US for the short time but will want the US out of Iraq as soon as ISIS is stopped.
4. How the events in Iraq will impact His Kingdom?
Christians in Iraq and Syria have been persecuted and have been leaving as refugees.
Under ISIS, the killing and persecution of Christians will dramatically increase. It has already started and there will be a mass exodus of Christians.
The brutality of ISIS will cause millions of Muslims to have an objective look at Islam. Many of them will come to reject Islam and become open to the message of the Gospel. This is what happened in Iran. Millions of Syrian refugees have seen the brutality of Islamist “freedom fighters” of ISIS. Many of them are coming to Christ in refugee camps in Turkey.
ISIS stands for Islamic State in Iraq and (greater) Syria.
ISIS members are painting the Arabic letter N, for “Nasrani,” or Nazarene on homes as a way of identifying unwanted Christians in Mosul, Iraq.
They are the coalition of Sunni forces in Iraq and Syria.
Their immediate goal is to topple two Shiite governments in Iraq and Syria.
Their intermediate goal is to have a unified Sunni state that covers the whole region including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Israel.
Their long-term goal is to bring back a worldwide rule of Caliphates. They believe that they are mandated by the Quran to do so and use as much violence as needed to accomplish that goal.
They are much stronger than Al-Qaeda in numbers, unity, and finances. They have performed mass executions, even including women and children. They are so violent and brutal that Al-Qaeda looks conservative and moderate comparatively.
When in power, they will be the number one source of terrorism in the world.
This week, we received a distressed call from one of our Church 7 members who lives in Iran. Her 32-year-old son, Amir, has been in prison for the past two years after being caught with a truckload of Bibles. On Wednesday, an execution date was set for Tuesday, August 12 for his crimes against Islam and the government.
Understandably, she is very upset. Her only request is for prayers of deliverance for her son.
We are asking you to do two things:
Pray
Pray for Amir and his family. Pray for deliverance from this death sentence for Amir and for his frightened and grieving family. Pray for his jailers, his judge and his fellow inmates to encounter the love of Christ and receive Him as their personal Savior. Pray for the countless other brothers and sisters, like Amir, who are suffering persecution for their faith in Christ in Iran and around the world right now.
Call others to pray
Share this story and prayer request with your friends and social media networks.
This is a time when we can take action and beseech the Lord together on behalf of a brother in desperate need. It is the only request this family has made and is by far the most significant and powerful thing we can do to help them.
2. What is the difference between Shiites and Sunnis?
Their differences go back to 632 AD when Mohammad died.
Map showing distribution of Sunni (light green) and Shiite (dark green) Muslims
The issue that divided them centered around whom must rule the Islamic Empire after the death of Mohammad.
Sunnis believe that the Caliphs should rule, which is historically what happened.
Shiites believe that the family bloodline of Mohammad should rule and the Caliphs were evil people who unrightfully took over the power after Mohammad.
There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. 85% are Sunnis and 15% are Shiites. Shiites are the majority only in Iran and Iraq.
Major events are happening in Iraq. They can have biblical significance regarding the prophecies for that region. Many Americans have asked me how the current events in Iraq are impacting Iran. Over the next several days, I will answer 5 questions, which I hope will help you better understand the situation.
ISIS Militants are terrorizing Iraq & Syria.
What is happening in Iraq?
A Sunni group called ISIS is trying to take over Iraq by force. They already have control of many cities in the north and east of Iraq.
It is possible that Iraq as a country will cease to exist soon and divide into 3 countries: Shiite (south), Kurds (far north), Sunnis (north and west).
Saddam was a Sunni and suppressed the Shiites, who are the majority in Iraq. The new government under Jalal Talabani is ruled by Shiites. It has fired top officials that were Sunnis and in general, have marginalized the minority Sunnis in Iraq. So Sunnis in Iraq have joined forces with Sunnis in Syria to topple the Shiite Iraqi government.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, the purpose of Iran Alive Ministries is to plant churches through the vehicle of satellite TV. With an estimated audience of 3-6 million viewers at any given time, our network has been the bane of the Iranian government for years.
Although illegal to own, satellite dishes are pervasive inside Iran
Just today, one of our close friends heard from family inside Tehran that the government is again confiscating satellite dishes. While illegal to own in Iran, the BBC estimates that 80% of Iranians have access to satellite TV. In fact, if you look at photos of most Iranian cities, you will notice the pervasive presence of satellite dishes on nearly every rooftop and balcony. I have mused that the satellite dish is the true “National Flower” of Iran.
Typically, within 24-48 hours of these types of raids, the dishes are sold back the original owners on the black market. Many people own two dishes for this very reason…one to use and one to keep as a backup.
Satellite TV provides millions of Iranians with their only connection to the outside world and a direct connection to the Gospel. Join us in praying that the Lord will use this latest crackdown as a opportunity to further strengthen the resolve of the Iranian people to seek the truth and find it in the only One who truly embodies Truth.
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