Largest Persian Speaking Church in Tehran Closed

Largest Persian Speaking Church in Tehran Closed

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) -- The Central Assemblies of God church in Tehran was closed on Thursday due to pressure from Iranian security authorities.

The Central Assemblies of God church in Tehran.

According to a story by Mohabat Iranian Christian News Agency, a well placed source said that a sign is posted on the main entrance of the church saying that the church is temporarily closed. Mohabat News said the source also said that the church staff have not gone to work for two days.
The source also told Mohabat News, "The Islamic regime's intelligence forces have been pressuring the church to close down since six months ago. The authorities also announced two days ago that anyone who tries to enter the church will be arrested."
Mohabat News reported that its source believes the main reason for closure of the church is that the Iranian security authorities wanted to limit the church service to just the Armenian language, and prevent any Farsi services.
In another incident on May 21, security authorities arrested Pastor Robert Asseriyan in the middle of a church service and transferred him to an unknown location.
Asseriyan is one of the leaders of the Assemblies church in Tehran.
Dr. George O. W ood, the General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the U.S., released a statement after the pastor's arrest.
Mohabat News said he expressed concern over the pressure on Persian-speaking churches in Iran, and appealed that the persecution and pressure exerted by the Iranian authorities on the country's Christians be lifted.
Elsewhere in Wood's statement, Mohabat News reported he said that closure of the Central Assemblies of God church in Tehran is a beginning of the end for all other Farsi speaking churches across Iran.
Mohabat News reported Wood commented, "Such a move would essentially remove all open witness of the gospel of Christ in the country."
Mohabat News said Central's congregation was told to attend this Sunday's service to hear the final decision of the church council regarding the situation. It is unclear at this point whether or not that service will be held.
Mohabat News said for some time the Central Assembly of God and other churches affiliated with it, have been under pressure to cancel their Farsi language services. For their church services to continue, they were told that all services be held in Armenian.
Mohabat News said Iran's Islamic regime has had anti-Christian plans for a long time.
They include pressuring pastors and church leaders to prevent Farsi speakers from entering their churches, arresting members of the congregation and pastors and closing churches.
Mohabat News said house churches have also been raided, and new Christian converts have been arrested and terrorized.
There's a reason for this, Mohabat News said.
The news service commented, "The Iranian regime has done all (this) ... to stop the growth of Christianity in Iran, and put more pressure on Iranian Christians and (new) Christian converts."

Praying with your heart

Praying With Your Heart
Located in northeast Iraq, somewhat removed from the mainstreams of war, the mountains of Kurdistan are used by many as places of refuge. 

Makruhi, a Christian teacher and servant of the Lord, knows the roads through the mountain passes well. But this year an early storm has made the trek more difficult. As her humble vehicle traverses the muddy ruts, she works hard to arrive on time.

High in a mountain village, 30 women are assembled, waiting for Makruhi to arrive. Some are ethnic Kurdish; others refugees, displaced from various cities in Iraq. All have suffered the ravages of war. Some are widowed, having lost not only their husbands, but also the provision they provided. Some have lost children. War is no discerner of persons. All suffer.

Arriving late, Makruhi quickly begins the Bible lesson with prayer. The women join in by repeating a rote prayer. Unaware they can talk to God directly from their hearts, Makruhi realizes what she needs to teach first.

“At home, some women kiss their Bible and put it near their pillow, but they don’t read it” Makruhi says. Demonstrating how to learn God’s Word, Makruhi picks up her Bible, and together they read several verses. Realizing the value of scripture, many women said that they wanted to pass on Bible stories to their children. Makruhi happily adds, “After several lessons some are now bringing their Bible to class.”

As Makruhi prepared to end the session, a woman approached showing her hand; on it was a small ring. “I rescheduled my engagement party so I could be here to learn from you today.” Another stood up saying, “I was going through depression, but I was encouraged to read the Bible. I will go back to my church and teach the children.” One student quietly added, “Please end our time with prayer. We love it when you do that!” Makruhi was delighted to show them how to pray… with their heart!

One With Them
Become One With Them by praying for these beautiful servants of God, in Iraq, to be enriched and enlightened deeply by God’s Word and His Spirit; that they may continue to carry it forth with boldness.

5/1/2013

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
(Psalms 119:50)

 

God Pursues His Children – Part 1

God Pursues His Children – Part 1
“Is this your birthday?”

Tursun (alias) was taken back by the question. Thinking it was a sort of birthday… it was exactly ten years ago that he had met a Christian girl who shared the gospel with him. After reading the Bible, he decided that the cost of following Jesus was simply too high. A seed had been planted, though, and God continued to pursue him. 

Eating with friends in a restaurant, Tursun shared that not long after the encounter with the Christian girl, he had cried out to God to know the truth. To his amazement Jesus came to him in a dream, not once, but on three occasions! In each dream Jesus wore brilliant white clothing and was surrounded by sheep. Jesus beckoned him to come and follow Him. Tursun still believed that the cost was too great and instead chose to follow his Muslim friends.

Turan shared with the men in the restaurant until late that night. Around 2:30 a.m., they joined hands and gave thanks for the divine appointment. They prayed for God to shine the absolute truth of Jesus into Tursun’s heart.

Around 25 million Muslims reside in China; most belong to ethnic Turkish groups. Among them are several thousand secret Christians. The central government allows ethnic Han Chinese believers more freedoms, and generally does not interfere with local traditions and majority religious groups. China’s government has recently adopted a softer approach toward the Church, but opposes conversions. Christians from a Muslim background face fierce opposition, not only from the government, but also from their family and community.

One With Them
Be One With Tursun and Chinese Muslims like him, praying that the chains of Islam will be broken, and they can enjoy freedom in Christ. Pray also for the many secret believers in China, as they struggle to decide whether they should openly declare their faith in Christ, or keep their faith hidden.

4/29/2013

“...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 
(Luke 19:10)

 

“I Begged Them to Leave My Girls”

“I Begged Them to Leave My Girls”

Deborah’s life will never be the same, following the traumatic events of 2012. Within a few months time, Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, killed her husband and son, and kidnapped her two daughters.

The horrific evening began like any other, Deborah’s two young girls raced up the path to greet her as she returned from a long day at work. Inside their home, her husband, Shettima, was preparing a children’s Bible study for the evening prayers at church. Setting down her belongings, she took a bucket to draw water from the village well for the evening meal.

While she was gone, armed young men arrived at the entrance to the compound and waited for her to return. “They followed me inside the compound. I tried to alert my husband, but they overpowered me and forced me to lie on the floor. I heard my husband who was watching through the window praying, ‘Father, today I will come to you, please receive my spirit.’” The attackers fired four shots, killing Shettima.

Deborah, convinced that her last moments on earth had also come, asked the Lord to receive her spirit. As she prayed, her daughters, who had been hiding, came running towards her. Deborah was helpless to stop the men as they grabbed the girls, aged 7 and 9, and dragged them from the compound. “Looking up to the heavens, I cried for help at the top of my voice, but did not get a reply.”

Three months later, the nightmare took another horrific turn as extremists forced their way into Deborah’s home and murdered her son, her last remaining child.

One With Them
It was one year ago, on April 25, when Deborah’s life was turned upside down. Still struggling with the trauma, devastation and grief, she longs to know if her daughters are still alive, and holds onto hope that she will see them again. Be One With Deborah as you pray this prayer:

Father, we know that You are the God of all Comfort. Please wrap Your arms of comfort and peace around our sister, Deborah, especially today as she relives the terror, grief and devastation that began one year ago, today. Bind up her broken heart and bring her the joy of Your presence in the midst of her pain. Nothing else can bring comfort; she needs to experience Your presence today. Please protect and rescue her little girls from the extremists who took them. Nothing is impossible for You, so we ask that the Boko Haram rebels would release them today. Restore this remaining part of Deborah’s family to each other, we pray! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

One With Them CHALLENGE
Please write a message to Deborah today. Assure her that you are praying for her and that she is deeply loved.  

 

4/28/2013

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
(Psalms 147:3)

 

Arabs Find Christ Through Books

Arabs Find Christ Through Books Throughout the Arabian Peninsula, sharing the gospel comes with extreme difficulties. Importing or printing non-Islamic religious literature is almost universally restricted or forbidden. Still, God opens doors. Somehow, Christian books find their way to the Peninsula. A bookseller shares how these books have changed lives: One day, Adeeb, an active member of the mosque, entered the bookshop and discovered books with crosses; “I have been looking for these,” he explained to the bookseller, “tell me about the person this book is about.” After their conversation, Adeeb’s curiosity grew stronger. One night, while playing the radio, he stumbled upon a station that was broadcasting Bible readings. Though he did not fully understand what he heard, he still gave his heart to the Lord. Returning to the bookshop, the bookseller then began to teach Adeeb about Jesus. Adeeb’s brother-in-law began to suspect that he had converted. Adeeb brought him to the bookshop, and asked the bookseller to talk to him. Presenting him a book, the bookseller said, “It’s about Gods love.” The brother-in-law angrily shouted, “It’s a dirty book, why do you give this to me?” The bookseller then carefully began to explain the gospel to him. The message was so beautiful, that the brother-in-law’s heart was changed immediately and he accepted Jesus. Embracing Adeeb he cried, “I didn’t know, I didn’t know,” with tear-filled eyes, he added, “Forgive me, my brother!” Another time, the bookseller remembered a boy who visited the bookshop with his mother. As the boy lingered near the books with crosses, she informed him, “These books have nothing to do with our beliefs!” The young boy seemed oblivious and began to leaf through them. When he asked her to purchase one, she grabbed him and dragged him out of the shop. To the bookseller’s surprise, within minutes he was back; somehow he had broken free. Alone with the bookseller, away from the ears of his mother, he quietly asked to know about Jesus. One With Them Stand One With Christian booksellers in the Arabian Peninsula. Our brother has requested our prayers saying; “We earnestly need you to pray for each and every visitor; that they would have the chance to read the scriptures and know the Lord.” One With Them CHALLENGEConsider becoming a World Bible Sponsor. For just $5.00 a month you can send a Bible to a believer…opening many doors for people to read His Word. 4/25/2012

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

Poverty

Poverty

What does it mean to be without? I wanted to buy a few things before I left home. Funny, now I can’t even remember what they were or what I wanted them for. They seem pretty insignificant now. We went from the U.S. straight into Bujumbura, Burundi to Uvira, DR Congo. Each move was a huge transition in our world’s economy. Anyone could see the difference right away from one place to the other without even stepping out of the car: the roads, the houses, street signs or lack of, markets, schools, vehicles, dress, etc. Could it get worse?

Unfortunately, yes. Sunday we took the long drive, but short distance from Uvira to the village of Makobola to go to the church that meets at the home of the blind twin sisters. We had the luxury of being in a four-wheel drive Land Rover to drive the dirt and rock, one lane road out there. All the way there were many people walking the four hours to reach the village to buy things at the market to haul them all the way back to Uvira to sell them. Yes, many carrying them on their heads or balancing them in huge bundles back and front on their bicycles. I couldn’t help but wonder if one pair of tires would even make it for the long trip back and forth with all of the rocks on the road. Even many of the women had small children walking alongside of them as they strolled along in the mid-day heat.

When we finally reached the village, there alongside the road were many mud houses with thatched or tin roofs, some with doors, many without. We were led into a tiny, dark room and there on a blanket sat women—women who had obviously been waiting for us for a long time. The two sisters sat quietly side by side with other women closely gathered around them. This room and one other is their home and where they meet for church every Sunday. Remy, a church planter, came to this village, shared the gospel with the sisters and they received Christ. They have shared with others and now there are nine of them who meet at their home. None can read or write, but Remy or Stephen come often to teach and share with them. They were so humble and so sweet as they led our time together with some songs they had learned, with smiles on their faces as they sang about Jesus. Remy shared some Scriptures with all of us and then we discussed them. When we were sitting there, I believe God gave me the Scripture “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” These women had NOTHING, but they had more peace, more joy, more hope than any women I’ve ever seen. Roger prayed over them and it was pretty awesome, but gotta tell you, I’m thinking those girls should have been praying for us!

As we left these women, we went to meet with the chief of this village. He was working hard in an outside kiln with a few other men making bricks for houses. He led us into his small home. With sweat pouring off his face, embarrassed, he apologized for his small house and said he had been working hard to make more bricks to rebuild all the houses that had been destroyed in the war—the war when the rebels had killed over 700 of his people. The pain was etched on his face as he spoke and I thought he would start to cry—or I would. The war happened eleven years ago and the pain and misery and destruction is as obvious today as if it happened this morning. Over six million—that’s million—people have died in DR Congo since 1996. It’s inconceivable. It’s unimaginable.

I thought I wanted, even needed something before I left home to come here. Today, I can’t begin to imagine what it would have been.


Roger Thoman