How is God touching people’s lives in the Persian world? To give you a taste, here are some stories. They are translated testimonies from believers who have publicly shared Christ’s work in their lives. We were not personally involved in their journeys. Names have been changed and sensitive details omitted for their protection. We hope they encourage you to celebrate God’s grace and love!
Sara grew up in a Muslim family, but as a youth she started attending an underground church with her brother. When her faith became known to school teachers and neighbors, they attacked and ostracized her family. In reaction to her baptism as a youth, the authorities imprisoned, tortured, and interrogated Sara multiple times over the years. Meanwhile, they closed her local church, tortured its members, and hanged her pastor for apostasy. Later she and her brother were put on trial for apostasy (blasphemy), but thanks to believers’ prayers and international pressure, they were released. Sarah’s trauma from state persecution increased over the years. Once Sara got married to a man named Hamid, the authorities detained him and demanded that he divorce her, revert to Islam, and spy on the family. Later Sarah’s mother passed away from a heart attack hours after the family received another intrusive home visit and court summons from the authorities. Finally she and believing family members fled Iran in order to worship freely and share Christ with others.
Sara
Iran
Javid grew up in Afghanistan. As an adult he was forced to leave his homeland and eventually landed in a refugee camp in Europe. Feeling lonely and restless, he visited a local church and found a Bible in his language there on a book table. He took it back to the camp and started reading it, finding encouragement in verses such as, “God is Love” (1 John 4:8). Over time, however, he neglected reading. Then one night a man in shining white clothes appeared to him in a dream. He invited him to keep reading and promised that he would find eternal peace through repentance. So then he eagerly resumed reading the Bible everyday. Some time later, he was released from the camp. He received an invitation to a church party for newcomers in the community. At the party he found a Christian publication for Afghans and asked to learn more. A minister visited him the next week, and Javid shared his whole story with him. That same day he prayed to surrender his life to Christ. From there he started to grow in his faith alongside a community of believers.
Javid
Afghanistan
Nasser grew up in Afghanistan. Throughout his youth he felt confused about the meaning of life and searched for answers. Then in his twenties, he watched a film about Jesus and was stunned by His words and miraculous deeds. However, only after moving to Europe years later did he have an opportunity to meet Christian people, receive an invite to church, and read the Bible. Over time, as he put his faith in Christ, he began to see changes in every part of his life. He described the experience as feeling reborn, and he was filled with gratitude. Even more, he found an answer to his search for life’s meaning in the Bible verse, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He realized that this was the purpose of life: to love God, love others, and show compassion to all. He prays that all people, especially in Afghanistan, could experience God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Nasser
Afghanistan
Nima felt lost and was searching for truth and meaning in his life. One day after leaving a friend’s house, he went to a bar and spent the evening getting intoxicated. He woke up 48 hours later in a hospital bed, where doctors told him they hadn’t expected him to recover. At this point, Nima cried out to God, “Why am I here?”. After being released from the hospital, he went to stay at a friend’s home. During that time he continued asking God to forgive him. Then he had a spiritual encounter in a dream: he saw himself in his car, hunched over the steering wheel and covered in blood following a car accident. A voice then told him that he had almost died, but he would receive new life again and go serve others. He woke up and realized that God indeed had a plan for his life, a plan to save him and give him a new start. God had guided him out of darkness into the light and shown him such love even while he was a sinner. Over time he learned more about Jesus Christ and became convinced that He is the Messiah and the Light of the world. Now he eagerly shares the Good News with others.
Nima
Iran
Shakila grew up in an open-minded family in Afghanistan. Although she had a comfortable life, she still felt spiritually deficient. One night she had a memorable dream. A tall, bright person told her to find the ‘real shepherd’ and to follow him without doubting. Unsure what the dream meant, she wrote it down and pondered it. Three years later, her family went to a neighboring country to seek asylum. There they met a Christian neighbor who invited them to a Christmas party at their church. She felt great peace during the worship service. Afterward, she asked for a Bible but none were available in Dari or Persian language. So she waited a long time to find a Bible that she could read. Finally upon reading the Bible, she realized that the ‘real shepherd’ from her dream was Jesus Christ the Messiah. At that point she understood that God had a plan for her all along, from having the dream, to leaving their country, to visiting the church. After sensing God’s love, she soon confessed her sins and accepted him as her Savior. Although her experience as an asylum seeker has been difficult, she testifies to Christ’s continual presence and guidance. She prays that the light of the Messiah would shine throughout her homeland of Afghanistan and that His peace would heal people’s sorrowful hearts. From the grace of God that she’s received, she eagerly shares about him with others.
Shakila
Afghanistan