ICC Note: Iran is one of the most volatile places to practice Christianity, yet it is also one of the fastest growing churches in the world. A London based group dedicated to equipping Iranian underground church leaders has recently shared a miraculous story of forgiveness that eventually saved a man from execution. In response to the overwhelming love and forgiveness experienced in this event, two whole families dedicated themselves to following Jesus.

02/09/2017 Iran (Christian Times): The Church in Iran is vulnerable, faces great opposition, and is also experiencing “unprecedented growth”. Stories of hope are emerging amid a time of great challenge. Christian Today spoke with the London based group that’s leading the way in equipping Iran’s underground church leaders.

A story of hope

The story of Narineh illustrates the kind of “radical change of heart” that is taking place in Iran. The story, which you can read at length here, tells of Feridoon, a man sentenced to death after he killed a man called Afshin. Afshin’s family for a time only felt “anger, hatred and pain”, and demanded Feridoon’s execution. Narineh mediated however, and met often with Feridoon and Afshin’s family, sharing the love and grace of Christ with both.

For a while, Narineh’s efforts seemed in vain. However:

“Two days prior to the execution, Afshin’s family experienced a radical change of heart. Through Narineh’s witness and their watching the Jesus film, the Holy Spirit touched their hearts. They decided to visit Feridoon in prison. There, they told Feridoon that they forgave him. Then they went to the prison office and requested that Feridoon be set free and not executed. There were no dry eyes in the room. No one could understand the grace Afshin’s family showed toward Feridoon.”

The family said: “Thanks be to Christ! He is the one who helped us show mercy and it was Christ who wanted us to find new life.”

As the account writes: “New life” truly flowed into Afshin’s house that afternoon. At Narineh’s invitation, all those present committed themselves to Christ. Hatred melted away, replaced by love, grace and forgiveness. Today, both families lead house churches.”

The challenges of growth

This story comes from an underground church network in Iran. Christian Today spoke with “S” from Pars Theological Centre, a seminary that trains the network’s leaders.

“We do hear a lot of remarkable, dramatic stories that really take us by surprise.” she said.

“S” describes the Church movement in Iran as “experiencing unprecedented growth,” with Iran being at the “eye of the storm” of Muslims turning to Christ across the region.

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