Pray with Secret Churches in Iran Risking to Serve Hard-hit Communities

Our field recently shared how secret Christians in Iran are reaching out to their communities that have been hit so hard by coronavirus and the impact of the lockdowns. Despite the risk of being jailed, imprisoned or even killed if their participation in a house church is discovered, house churches who worship behind closed doors are spreading the love of Christ in their community through their hands and feet.

PHOTO: Relief/food and sanitairy items distribution in Iran during corona crisis

“[House churches] have become used to living in difficult circumstances,” explains Steve*, an Open Doors field worker. “When COVID-19 reached Iran, they were afraid that it would hit them or their loved ones. But at the same time, they were undaunted. They felt it was their calling to take care of people around them—not only other believers but also neighbors, colleagues or others nearby who were struggling.”

First, they used their own resources to give to others in need—offering a true representation of a biblical community that loves and serves one another. 

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved .

(Acts 2:44-47)

When the Iranian believers’ resources ran out, Steve says, they reached out to Open Doors ministry partners, who in turn contacted field workers like him.

“The [people these churches helped] thought no one cared about them,” he says. “But, through our partners, we showed that the worldwide church is standing beside them.”

 Be a lifeline to isolated secret believers at risk in North Africa.

PLEASE GIVE

Every PHP 2,350 could provide digital training and discipleship for a young believer from a Muslim background.

Every  PHP 3,450 could provide relief aid to a family of persecuted believers impacted by the coronavirus lockdown.

 Every PHP 4,350 could mean 35 people are reached by the church through social media.

PLEASE PRAY

Please pray the seeds of Christ’s love these churches have planted grow, take root and bear fruit.

Thank God for the strong underground church in Iran that has been prepared for such a time as this.

Pray for provision for secret believers to continue to minister during the pandemic.