Contrast between America and Iran
In America, a large percentage of our children and teens who grow up in church leave the faith by or after their high school graduation. But in Iran, children are coming to Christ even though they witness the public execution of Christians. Parents, let’s learn from Iranian Church.
A few years ago, a missions organization that we all need to be aware of, FAI, Frontier Alliance International, released a powerful documentary that told the story of the booming underground church in Iran, Sheep Among Wolves II. Christianity is growing in Iran more than anywhere else in the world. Its annual growth is nearly twenty percent while the United States is less than one percent. This growth is happening without any physical church buildings, paid staff, denominational organizations, bank accounts, or property. The growth is happening underground and in homes with the threat of long-term arrests.
Open Doors, one of the ministries that track Christian persecution around the world, says,
Christians [in Iran] are forbidden from sharing their faith with non-Christians in Iran, and it is illegal to produce Christian literature or hold church services in Farsi, the most common language in Iran. Converts from Islam face persecution from the government. If Christians attend an underground house church, they face the constant threat of arrest.
Yet, in these conditions, the church is thriving.
Solidarity with the church in Iran
With the release of the film, FAI asked believers around the world to gather in solidarity with the church in Iran. They were encouraged to host watch parties of the film with prayer to be offered for the Iranian Church. Stand Firm participated in the day solidarity.
(Have you gotten our latest children’s book Jesus and His White Horse?)
In the spirit of that Day of Solidarity with church in Iran, I wanted to challenge us, parents, to learn from Iranian believers. Here in one of the most dangerous places to be a believer—the church is growing astronomically. Believers wouldn’t dream of not gathering, nor would they imagine not sharing the Gospel and making disciples. All of which are activities that lead to persecution and arrest.
Persecution results in growth
This phenomenon isn’t something new or unique to Iran. Throughout history, Christianity has grown, and the church has been on fire more during times of intense persecution. The same is true today. The most persecuted countries are the very places where the Gospel is spreading the most. The believers are spreading the Gospel in spite of the persecution. I believe we could assume this is a common principle. In difficulty and persecution, the church grows faster and stronger than in times of ease and peace.
The reason for that growth is simple—people are drawn to things that others are willing to die or lose their freedom to possess. Outsiders see that which is held on to as valuable. Insiders also are encouraged that they are on the right track.
In Iran today, as with all the persecuted and restricted nations, the Gospel is seen as valuable and real. Not only is the value expressed in withstanding persecution, but also in how the believers live their lives completely for Christ.
In Iran today, as with all the persecuted and restricted nations, the Gospel is seen as valuable and real. Share on XIn nations where Christianity is persecuted, you’re not going to find a lukewarm spectator, rather all believers are going to be actively reaching the lost and strengthening other believers. While in nations like the United States where it isn’t costly to follow Jesus, we don’t wholeheartedly follow Him.
(Read more about this in my award-winning book Spiritual Prepper.)
Faith that’s worthy of our lives
I believe one of the greatest reasons our children and teens leave the faith is because we haven’t shown them a faith that’s worthy of our lives. Worthy of our lives by being willing to die to hold on to it. Worthy of our lives by us wholeheartedly living for it.
We don’t have the statistics on the number of child converts in Iran, but we know it’s happening. Parents in Iran are discipling their children even in these harsh conditions.
We don’t have the statistics of the number of children and teens standing firm after graduation, but I guarantee it’s high, for they’ve seen that standing firm for Jesus is worth it. Therefore, parents, let’s learn from the Iranian church, and let’s show our children that it’s worth standing firm in their faith.
Executive Director of Stand Firm and lead pastor of Epic Church NWA in Springdale, AR and multiple award-winning author, Jake has a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Studies from Central Baptist College, and an Advanced Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Former regular contributor to the Baptist Press and WND News with popular conservative voices such as Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Ben Carson, Chuck Norris, Greg Laurie, Ben Schapiro, Joel Richardson, and others. He now is a weekly contributor for Israel, Islam, and the End Times and Armageddon News. He has authored books such as the, award-winning Spiritual Prepper from WND Books. Award-winning devotional books, Invincibleand For Uncertain Times, he authored the ground-breaking children’s book, Jesus and His White Horse from CrossLink Publishing. He is also a regular guest on national and international radio and streaming web shows, along with hosting his weekly live streaming program Talking Stand Firm and weekly podcast Stand Firm Parents.
