Hormoz

How Do You Provide Church for 2 Million Believers in Iran?

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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.

USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq? 5 questions answered – #5

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This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq?

5.  Will the US and Iran partner in Iraq to stop ISIS?

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
  1. Both have similar interests: to help the current Shiite Government of Iraq maintain control and stop the Sunni ISIS from taking over Iraq.
  2. They may partner in some ways to help stop ISIS but will never acknowledge it publicly.
  3. Iran has a major influence in Iraq where the majority of the population is Shiites and the government is led by Shiites.
  4. 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.

USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq? 5 questions answered – #4

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This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq?

4.  How the events in Iraq will impact His Kingdom?christian-persecution

  1. Christians in Iraq and Syria have been persecuted and have been leaving as refugees.
  2. Under ISIS, the killing and persecution of Christians will dramatically increase. It has already started and there will be a mass exodus of Christians.
  3. 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.

USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq? 5 questions answered – #2

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This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq?

2.  What is the difference between Shiites and Sunnis?

  1. Their differences go back to 632 AD when Mohammad died.

    Map showing distribution of Sunni (light green) and Shiite (dark green) Muslims
    Map showing distribution of Sunni (light green) and Shiite (dark green) Muslims
  2. The issue that divided them centered around whom must rule the Islamic Empire after the death of Mohammad.
  3. Sunnis believe that the Caliphs should rule, which is historically what happened.
  4. Shiites believe that the family bloodline of Mohammad should rule and the Caliphs were evil people who unrightfully took over the power after Mohammad.
  5. 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.

USA and Iran Partnering in Iraq? 5 questions answered – #1

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This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series USA and Iran Partnering in 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.
ISIS Militants are terrorizing Iraq & Syria.
  1.  What is happening in Iraq?
    1. 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.
    2. 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).
    3. 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.

6 Young Iranians Arrested for Being “Happy”

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In a recent video posted on YouTube that has gone viral, two universal truths concerning the state of Iran is beautifully illustrated simultaneously:

  1. The youth of Iran is vibrant, energetic, playful and longing for ways to express themselves…just like youth around the world.
  2. The government of Iran is bent on squashing any form of individualism and expression of free thought, regardless of how innocent it may be.

All told, six young people were arrested for making a playful video to the popular song, “Happy.”  Five have since been released, with the director of the video continuing to be imprisoned for his crimes.

Please join me in praying for the youth of Iran.  Pray that the Lord will use them to transform Iran into a Christian nation in this generation.  Pray that they will not lose heart, not lose hope and not lose their zeal for life in the midst of their dire circumstances.

From Depression to Hope

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Our Counseling Center Ministry recently passed this email from one of our viewers to me.  I was greatly touched, as I know you will be, by the Lord’s great mercy and grace in the life of this young lady.  Here is the message:

Hello,

My name is Elizeh. I have a 16 year-old daughter who suffers from depression has often threatened us with committing suicide. As you can imagine, this has caused a great deal of concern for us.

We always watch the Church7 programs but my daughter would never pay any attention to them. One day, when we were watching the program, my daughter was not staring at the wall like she usually did, but she was actually listening. All of the sudden, she walked to the TV and placed her hand on it and started to cry out loud and said, “God I need you and I want to be your daughter!”  

The whole family was in tears. As Pastor Hormoz was praying the salvation pray, she repeated after him and gave her heart to Christ.

Ever since then, we have seen great joy in her face. God has given her back to us. I want to thank each and every one of you for the love that you show us through Church7. We pray that you will always stand firm in Christ.

Elizeh

May we see millions of Iranians experience the life transforming power that comes only through our Lord.  To Him alone be the glory!

*As with all of my posts, names and faces have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

“What do You Want with a Bible?”

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Just yesterday, a woman called in to our live broadcast into Iran and talked with me on air for about 10 minutes.  The topic of the program was Being the Light of Christ in Your Work Environment.Bible in Chains

Convicted by the challenge to operate in the work environment as salt and light to those around her, without engaging in dishonest practices common in the professional climate, this businesswoman began to share her struggles with the tension of her “Work” persona, and her “Christian” identity.

As we worked through this complex issue, I asked her how she became attracted to Christ in the first place.  Her answer, while not uncommon, encouraged and astonished me nonetheless.

Realizing that Islam only instills hopelessness and fear in people, she began a search for something else.  She knew that if there was a God, He simply could not be like the distant, uncaring God she knew from Islam.

After trying Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion based on pantheistic beliefs, she decided to look for a Bible.  If you know anything about Iran and the government restrictions surrounding any non-Muslim religious activity, you understand that finding a Bible is a difficult and dangerous task.

She decided to try a small bookstore.  Cautiously and with much fear, she quietly asked the owner if he happened to know where she might be able to find a small Bible.

Shocked, the owner looked around the store and waited until no one else was around and asked, “What do you want with a Bible?”

She explained that she wanted to find out more about Jesus and didn’t know where else to look.  Disappearing to the back of the shop for a few moments, the owner returned and said, “I have one.”  He handed her the Bible and within days, she was transformed into a Follower of Christ!

My staff is working to translate the video, which I will post so that you can see firsthand, this amazing testimony.

God is about the business of transforming Iran into a Christian nation in this generation!  What a privilege to see it happen before our very eyes.