Iranian evangelists have recently given away 22,000 New Testaments – and are praying that each one will prompt someone to discover Jesus.
Elam Ministries, which works to strengthen and expand the church in the Iran region and beyond, has sent en this story which begins with a New Testament in Persian. Fifteen years ago a woman called Zahra found the small red book in a private home in Iran where she worked as a cleaner. Intrigued by the notorious text, she quietly slipped it into her bag. Later, as she read her stolen Scriptures, her heart warmed toward Jesus. But she knew no Christians and over time her interest faded. Life became stressful so she started using drugs and was an addict for many years.
But five years ago Zahra’s teenage daughter was diagnosed with cancer. On her knees Zahra prayed: ‘Jesus, if I give up drugs, will you heal my daughter?’
A relative, Mina, got in touch to offer support to the family. Mina had become a Christian and she noticed Zahra’s lukewarm interest in Jesus. ‘You aren’t really living for Christ,’ Mina challenged her. Zahra eventually put her trust fully in Jesus. She was freed from addiction, found fellowship, and started growing in faith.
Her daughter recovered from cancer, but another tragedy was just around the corner. In 2022, her daughter was tragically killed on the streets of Iran while protesting during the ‘Women Life Freedom’ movement. Zahra has walked a deeply painful road. Yet if you met this joyful, warm-hearted woman today, it would be hard to believe all she has been through. Today, she loves to talk about Jesus, and the freedom and joy He brings.
During Iran’s most recent New Year celebrations, Zahra and other evangelists gave away over 22,000 New Testaments. And just as Zahra’s story started with one, Elam Ministries are praying that everyone who received a New Testament from Zahra and other believers would discover it to be the start of their own journey with Jesus.
Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, said: ‘Zahra’s story is one of many thousands across Iran, where rumours of a God that forgives, heals and transforms are spreading every day. But the price for following Jesus is high. Christians are arrested and imprisoned without charge, or tortured or placed under surveillance by the security services.
‘However, more and more men and women are coming to faith, often through dreams and visions. However hard the authorities try and clamp down on believers, the good news about Jesus keeps spreading.’
