And yet, despite its rich cultural heritage, today dis-ease and dis-harmony tear at its social fabric. High rates of drug abuse, corruption and suicide reveal the true colours of a nation sinking into hopelessness.
Amidst this fragile spiritual and socio-political landscape, God is working powerfully in what many believe to be one of the greatest movements to Christ today. The Beatidudinal gospel of Jesus Christ is capturing the hearts of many Iranians as they choose to follow Him as their Lord and Saviour. Underground house fellowships are rapidly mushrooming all over the country, forming worshipping communities that radiate Christ’s light both in rural and urban regions of the country. Iranian churches are also forming across the growing diaspora in Europe, North America and the Far East.
Persecution
Believers from a Muslim background in Iran can experience tremendous suffering for their faith in Christ. Underground house fellowships are regularly raided, and believers are often harassed, thrown out of their jobs and expelled from universities. Leaders of house fellowships are frequently arrested, imprisoned, and forced to leave the country. Currently, Iran is positioned at Number 8 on the Open Doors World Watch List of places where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Source: Open Doors World Watch List
Fulfilling the Mission
We carry out our mission through the following four activities:
Training Leaders
We train leaders to walk in God’s love and disciple God’s people – all for God’s mission in the Persian-speaking world. We do this through a blended Persian-language 3-year program offered through our School of Theology & Leadership.
Resourcing Leaders
We resource leaders through content delivered on our Shagerd Website, our weekly podcast, and by Translating and Publishing books on Bible, Theology, Church, Leadership, Discipleship and Missions.
Empowering Leaders
We empower leaders to respond in Christ-like ways to the challenges and opportunities arising out of the Persian-speaking church and society through our Mentoring Program, Counselling Center and Iranian Leaders Forum.
Mobilising Leaders
We mobilise leaders for evangelism, church planting, disciple-making and social action through our Ministerial Practice & Reflection Program.