Tag Archives: Islam

THE RISE OF THE CHURCH IN IRAN

Church, missions January 24, 2020 Leave a comment

By Afshin Ziafat (DesiringGod.org)

Robert Bruce, a Scottish missionary to Iranian Muslims in the late nineteenth century, wrote home to his supporters, “I am not reaping the harvest; I scarcely claim to be sowing the seed; I am hardly ploughing the soil; but I am gathering out the stones. That, too, is missionary work; let it be supported by loving sympathy and fervent prayer.”

For many years, Iran was one of the most difficult regions of the world to reach with the gospel. A significant development occurred in 1979, however, with the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The ruling monarch, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown, and in his place an Islamic Republic was birthed, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Sharia law became the law of the land, and Muslim clerics became the heads of state. Continue reading →

CHRISTIANITY’S GROWTH IN IRAN

Evangelism, Optimism June 4, 2019 1 Comment

PMW 2019-045 by Afshin Ziafat (Desiring God)

Robert Bruce, a Scottish missionary to Iranian Muslims in the late nineteenth century, wrote home to his supporters, “I am not reaping the harvest; I scarcely claim to be sowing the seed; I am hardly ploughing the soil; but I am gathering out the stones. That, too, is missionary work; let it be supported by loving sympathy and fervent prayer.”

For many years, Iran was one of the most difficult regions of the world to reach with the gospel. A significant development occurred in 1979, however, with the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The ruling monarch, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown, and in his place an Islamic Republic was birthed, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Sharia law became the law of the land, and Muslim clerics became the heads of state. Continue reading →

MUSLIMS TURNING TO CHRIST

News, salvation October 3, 2017 Comments: 2

PMT 2017-080 by Janelle P (Open Doors)

The Islamic State has been filling the headlines for a long time and filling the hearts of many people in the Middle East with fear. But in the midst of all this, the church in the Middle East is showing the love of Christ to those who fled their homes. Muslims in the Middle East are turning to Jesus in unprecedented numbers.

Before the war, it was rare that a Muslim would become a follower of Jesus Christ. The war has changed everything. Continue reading →

MUSLIMS MOVED BY COPTIC RESPONSE

persecution, witness July 18, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-057 by Jason Casper (Christianity Today)

[Gentry note: Postmillennialists do not believe Christ’s kingdom comes by “swords’ loud clashing” (cp. John 18:36). The example of these Coptic Christians shows us a powerful tool in evangelism: a steady, Christian witness.]

Twelve seconds of silence is an awkward eternity on television. Amr Adeeb, perhaps the most prominent talk show host in Egypt, leaned forward as he searched for a response.

“The Copts of Egypt … are made of … steel!” he finally uttered.

Moments earlier, Adeeb was watching a colleague in a simple home in Alexandria speak with the widow of Naseem Faheem, the guard at St. Mark’s Cathedral in the seaside Mediterranean city. Continue reading →

REFUGEES CONVERTING TO CHRIST

missions October 26, 2016 Leave a comment

muslim-converts-to-christPMT 2016-078 by The Guardian

A growing number of Muslim refugees in Europe are converting to Christianity, according to churches, which have conducted mass baptisms in some places.

Reliable data on conversions is not available but anecdotal evidence suggests a pattern of rising church attendance by Muslims who have fled conflict, repression and economic hardship in countries across the Middle East and central Asia.

Complex factors behind the trend include heartfelt faith in a new religion, gratitude to Christian groups offering support during perilous and frightening journeys, and an expectation that conversion may aid asylum applications. Continue reading →

IRAN’S CHURCH IN TWO SENTENCES

Church, missions August 23, 2016 Comments: 4

Iranian ChristiansPMT 2016-062 by Mark Howard
(The Gospel Coalition)

Ken Gentry note: The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Even among Muslims. Despite persecution Christianity is growing in Islamic lands, as postmillennialism would expect. In a time of decline of the church in America, it is encouraging to see its strengthening under the most grueling circumstances in Muslim countries. Pray for the church in the Middle East.

Everyone loves a good story. As Christians, we especially love stories that tell us how, when all seems lost, God makes a way.

One such story is about the church in Iran—and it’s one of the greatest stories in the world today.

It’s a simple story that can be summarized in just two sentences: Persecution threatened to wipe out Iran’s tiny church. Instead, the church in Iran has become the fastest growing in the world, and it is influencing the region for Christ. Continue reading →

MIDDLE EASTERN REVIVAL

News May 13, 2016 Leave a comment

PMT 2016-033 by J. D. King
Christian Iranian pastor

[Gentry note: This is an excellent news article showing the power of the gospel as it exercises its influence in Muslim lands. Pray for our Christian brothers in the Middle East!]

More Muslims have committed to follow Christ in the last 10 years than in the last 15 centuries of Islam. In spite of great difficulty and turmoil, Christianity is unquestionably expanding throughout the Islamic world. God is up to something amazing in a region that many have thought was unreachable.

Continue reading →