The Islamic Republic of Iran is predominantly a Muslim-majority country. The estimated variety of Christians accounts for about 1% of the population. Nevertheless, as an Iranian Christian convert, I’m greatly encouraged because Christianity is on the rise in Iran.
According to a report released by Operation World in 2016, Iran has the very best Evangelical growth rate globally, with an annual increase of nearly 20%. This remains to be the trend in Iran, as many proceed to decide on to follow Jesus as Saviour. The growth has been fuelled mostly by Iranians who’re disillusioned with Islam. However, we cannot forget the Gospel’s power and transformational impact on so many. My own journey to Christianity, which began with a dream my mother had, is a testament to that power.
Many years ago, my secular-Muslim mother experienced a divine encounter when she dreamed about Jesus Christ. This divine experience just isn’t unusual for Iranians. Although it’s difficult for people in our region to access details about Jesus, many Muslims experience a reference to Him through dreams and visions. My mother’s introduction to the Saviour got here through a dream, which began a metamorphosis in our family.
Shortly after her dream, a visiting church graciously provided us with a VHS copy of the 1979 JESUSÂ film, which had been translated into the Farsi language to share the message of Christ with the people of Iran. Upon viewing the film, my mother’s heart was drawn to the love and teachings of Jesus, leading her to commit her life to Him wholeheartedly. In the next months, I made the identical decision to present my life to the Lord.
After surrendering my life to Christ, the Lord opened the door for me to spearhead a ministry dedicated to sharing the excellent news of the gospel with the Iranian people. The life-changing impact of the JESUS film by myself spiritual journey compelled me to succeed in out to Jesus Film Project, the Cru ministry that released thefilm, and to secure the mandatory rights to broadcast the Farsi rendition of the JESUS film through our satellite television network, Mohabat TV, into the nation of Iran.
This allowed us to bring the timeless story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to countless Iranians, a lot of whom had never encountered the message of salvation through Jesus. Over the years, we’ve got had the blessing and privilege of working closely with Jesus Film Project. The director of the 1979 film, Paul Eshleman, was a private mentor of mine who helped shape my Christian faith journey.
The 1979 JESUSÂ film remains to be being broadcast on our satellite TV in Iran, and persons are still selecting to follow Christ. The film’s ability to transcend cultural and non secular boundaries plays a pivotal role in those decisions. The prevailing cultural norms of honor and shame within the Middle East often render religious debates counterproductive. However, when people experience the story of the gospel through visual mediums, it erases the necessity for arguments. People can simply witness the lifetime of Jesus on screen and the facility emanating from God’s Word through His Son. This approach creates a bridge of understanding, enabling individuals to attach with the truths of the Christian faith on a more visceral and emotive level reasonably than relying solely on mental discourse.
Another perception within the Middle East is that Westerners try to impose their cultural values upon the region. Many individuals within the Middle East view Christianity as a faith rooted in Western traditions. However, once they encounter the JESUSÂ film of their mother tongue and recognize that Jesus hailed from the Middle East, it resonates deeply and redefines their perspective on Christianity. This realization challenges preconceived notions and fosters a deeper understanding of the religion’s origins and its connection to the region’s cultural heritage.
The changing dynamics of the way in which the subsequent generation consumes media are critical to think about in relation to ministering to Iranians. Research indicates that today’s youth are less inclined to have interaction with older content, necessitating the production of a latest JESUSÂ film to effectively reach and connect with this demographic. Advancing the gospel truth to the subsequent generation is of paramount importance, and I’m glad this imperative is being addressed with the event of a latest JESUSÂ film.
While denominational differences regarding Christian content may exist throughout the broader faith community, there’s a unifying recognition of the 4 New Testament Gospels as the inspiration of the Christian faith. Therefore, I feel the Christian community must come together to advertise, showcase, and spread Christian movies based on true biblical accuracy. As the Middle East grapples with shifting cultural dynamics and the evolving needs of the subsequent generation, having a resource that reframes the Christian narrative as one which is deeply rooted within the region’s history and heritage, and which frees Christianity from negative stereotypes, might be profoundly impactful.
Mike Ansari is CEO of Heart4Iran.
