Given Iran’s heavy restrictions on the practice of Christianity and the government’s censorship of media, satellite channels are often the only way for Iranians to hear the Gospel. For many, it is the first time they are exposed to a message of peace and love. They are hungry to learn more about Christianity.
“Soon, my husband started reading the Bible, and he started changing. Now, he paid attention to me, showed kindness, and a great supernatural love toward me,” remembered Saba.
Broadcasting the Gospel into Iran is simply the first step. Iranians are given the opportunity to call Christians living thousands of miles away. These call centers provide spiritual counseling and help new believers grow in their faith. Iranians can also contact these centers through social media. Because these call centers are often staffed by Iranians who fled their homes because of persecution, they can empathize deeply with their callers.
“Meet Yusuf,” said one call center employee. “He is on our ministry team and responds to viewers who contact us through social media. Often, we see him stepping out of his office with tears in his eyes to tell us how one precious Muslim soul was just saved, or how Jesus miraculously just healed someone who was sick. One reason for his serving with such zeal is that he himself was once one of them.”
This dedicated ministry ultimately changed Saba’s life. She watched as her husband became stronger in his new Christian faith, and how he began to treat her with humanity. It was something she never thought possible. It made her curious to learn more about this God who had so transformed her husband.
“I started reading the Bible for myself. I learned that the God of the Bible sees men and women as equally important. I saw that when a man and a woman marry, they become one. Not like Islam, when after marriage the woman becomes a possession of the man,” she said.
Saba continued, “So, when I saw the change in my husband, and after reading the Bible, my heart was touched. And I gave my life to Jesus.”
It was a life-transforming miracle for Saba and her husband. Their conversion, if discovered by the government, could mean a lengthy jail sentence under harsh conditions. It is a frightening thought, but they remain stalwart in their faith. Together, they continue to interact with Christian broadcasting and the call center.
Saba’s story is one of thousands. For years, ICC has supported satellite TV and call centers that broadcast the Gospel into Iran. As the government increases its suppression of human rights, the people are ever more eager to learn about the world outside. Broadcasting the Gospel becomes increasingly important as Iranians seek opportunities to learn about the freedom that Christianity offers.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org