"Unafraid and unashamed," The incredible growth of Iran's underground church.

  In one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian, Iran has one of the fastest-growing underground churches. Christianity is illegal in Iran. Yet, despite facing imprisonment, torture, and execution, millions of Iranians are forsaking Islam and converting to Christianity. One unidentified Iranian church leader from the documentary film, "Sheep Among Wolves," directed by Dalton Thomas, declares:

  "What if I told you Islam is dead? What if I told you that the mosques are empty inside Iran? What if I told you no one follows Islam inside Iran? Would you believe me?"

    In the past several years, it has been widely reported that more than 50,000 mosques have closed their doors. There is a huge spiritual vacuum among Iranians and most Muslims are discovering who Jesus is through Mohabat TV, a 24-hour Farsi Christian satellite TV network that is beaming gospel programs into Iran. According to Open Doors International, more than 1.2 million believers in Iran are risking their lives and taking a stand for Jesus despite being arrested, put in solitary confinement, and tortured for their new-found faith. Back in 2005, then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted that he would "stop Christianity in Iran." However, the promise of Jesus has triumphed over the boast of Ahmadinejad. Jesus declared,

"Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

 What is so unique about Iran's "Christian awakening" and why it has exploded into the "fastest growing church in the world" is not because of loud rock concerts, pastors with seminary degrees, or well-planned events! In fact, it does not look like Western churches at all. These are average, hungry, and thirsty Muslims who have become disillusioned with the oppressive religion of Islam and are seeking something better! They gather together in small house church settings to read scripture, worship, and pray, What is even more unique about this movement is that it is being led by Iran's outcasts and downtrodden, and most of the leaders are women!

    Iran is very unkind to women. It is one of the most oppressive places on the planet for females. They are treated like second-class citizens and it is no wonder that in God's perfect wisdom, He has called these oppressed females to be the bold and powerful leaders of house churches. The task of these house church leaders comprised mostly of women, is to make disciples of all new converts. There is no feminist agenda among the women. They simply love Jesus and because of their obedience amidst persecution and oppression, God has exalted them, giving them great strength and courage. They are not afraid of being thrown into prison. They courageously share the gospel fully understanding the risks and the consequences of their actions. 

Lela Gilbert, award-winning author and senior Fellow for Religious International Religious Freedom, describes a typical house church meeting, in her article, "Good News from Iran, A Million New Christian Believers,"

 "These house churches are usually comprised of no more than 10 to 15 believers. On a given day, they arrive, one by one, at a small apartment or some other nondescript location. After the last one enters, the door closes and locks, and they all take a deep breath and relax, greeting each other warmly.

 A few minutes later, the little gathering begins to sing — very softly, accompanied by a quietly strummed guitar. They are cautious, not wanting their voices to be heard beyond the apartment’s thin walls. But soon, with closed eyes and hands lifted heavenward, they are lost in praise and worship music. Later a teaching from a biblical passage is offered and a communion service takes place. And finally, after more conversation they leave, one by one."

 However, not all house churches go as smoothly as the one described in Lela's article. There are many times that security forces burst through the doors, tearing apart the residence, searching for laptops, phones, evangelistic publications, including Bibles, books, and DVDs. The members, including the leaders, are all arrested and charged with "acting against national security, Insulting Islam, or conducting a deviant activity." These brave house church members are fully aware of the aftermath and consequences of the raid. They can suffer the loss of employment, expulsion from school or university, be estranged from family members, and sentenced up to ten years in prison. Yet they are willing to count the cost of following Jesus and pay the price! These hungry and thirsty ex-Muslims take seriously the claims of Jesus when he said:

   "I am the bread of Life: Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."  (John 6:35)

   The next time that you read or watch a special report about Iranians chanting "death to America" or stomping down a burning American flag, remember there is another powerful story that the mainstream media refuses to report on. That story is the story of courageous Iranians who have found their hope and freedom in Christ. I tell their stories every Monday and Thursday on my Blog Talk Radio podcast, "The Cross in the Desert: Speaking Hope and Freedom to Iran."

   It is the passion and pleasure of my life to write the stories of Iranian refugees in my self-published books. As a Christian, I am awestruck at their courage and commitment to Christ. The Western church can learn so much from their willingness to sacrifice everything for Jesus. They are unafraid and ashamed! That's exactly who the underground church in Iran is. They are sheep among wolves and understand exactly what Jesus meant when he declared:

  "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

   Let's remember our brothers and sisters in Iran when we awake on Sunday, feeling lazy and have a hard time getting out of bed to go to church. Let's stop playing church, get out of our comfort zone, and fall on our knees, and pray for Iranian Christians. They don't have padded pews and the latest audio-visual technologies that most modern churches have. But what they do have is uncompromising courage and a fiery passion to preach the gospel in one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian!

 

Arezoo Badri, "Left paraplegic after being shot by police for hijab violation."

 

    July 22 2024, began like a normal, ordinary day for 31-year-old Arezoo Bardi, but a few minutes after 10 pm, it ended in a nightmare. Arezoo was driving home with her sister in the northern city of Noor, when she was suddenly intercepted by police. They ordered her to pull her car over, but Arezoo panicked, failed to comply, and continued driving. Immediately, the officers opened fire on her vehicle, one bullet striking the tire, and the other bullet piercing her lung, severely damaging her spine. Arezoo was rushed to a nearby hospital in a coma suffering from serious lung and spinal cord injuries. July 22 2024, began like a normal, ordinary day for 31-year-old Arezoo Bardi, but a few minutes after 10 pm, it ended in a nightmare. Arezoo was driving home with her sister in the northern city of Noor, when she was suddenly intercepted by police. They ordered her to pull her car over, but Arezoo panicked, failed to comply, and continued driving. Immediately, the officers opened fire on her vehicle, one bullet striking the tire, and the other bullet piercing her lung, severely damaging her spine. Arezoo was rushed to a nearby hospital in a coma suffering from serious lung and spinal cord injuries.

    Ten days later, doctors were able to finally remove the bullet from her back but gave her little hope of ever walking again. She is completely paralyzed from the waist down with no sensation or feeling. Arezoo was transferred to The Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Tehran and placed under strict security supervision, allowing family members only a few minutes of visitation time. Her Instagram account was deactivated to prevent any images from being published to the media.

     Apparently, Arezzo's car had been identified by CCTV cameras and was on the impoundment list for hijab violations. Last year, a major government clampdown took place targeting women defying the compulsory dress code. CCTV cameras were implemented to identify female drivers failing to cover their hair, resulting in the confiscation of their vehicles. Human rights activists in Iran speculated that Arezoo was probably filmed driving with her head uncovered and an alert was placed on the license plate number.

                                                        

    It's almost been two years now since the brutal death of Mahsa Amini, a young 22-year-old Kurdish girl, taken into custody at the Tehran Metro for showing too much hair. A few hours later, she was hospitalized in a coma after being brutally beaten while in custody. Her death, a few days later, ignited the largest uprising in Iran, which became famously known as the "Woman, life, freedom" movement. Many Iranians falsely believed that there would be drastic changes in the policies of the morality police after the uprising, but unfortunately once again, on October 1, 2023, a young Iranian girl was rushed to the hospital after suffering a severe head injury during a confrontation with police at the Tehran Metro. A month later, seventeen-year-old, Armita Geravand died after being in a coma.

   Women are no longer safe in Iran. They are being targeted for the crime of not covering their hair and the rest of the feminist world remains silent. There is no outrage, no speaking up by the feminists of the world. Their silence is both hypocritical and offensive. The late Lutheran Pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed by the Germans, because of being involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler, is credited with a brilliant quote on the sin of being silent. His quote is an appropriate response to the feminist world.

    Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

                                                                

     September 13 will be the two-year anniversary of the brutal death of Mahsa Amini. How many more Iranian women have to die until this government is held accountable for their gender apartheid sins? For more than 45 years, since the Iranian Revolution, women have been oppressed and treated like second-class citizens. They are prohibited from riding bicycles, attending sports events at stadiums, singing publicly, and going out without the veil.

     Iran is one big prison! They have no freedom. The government controls their bodies and their minds from birth to death. Yet inspite of the pressure and restrictions, these brave Iranian women put the rest of the world to shame. They are not afraid of this dictatorship government. They refuse to be kept in misogynistic chains and bravely confront this evil regime right out on the streets.

   I am praying that one day soon Arezoo will overcome her paralysis and be able to walk again. Her children are traumatized! They need their mother to be healthy again. If by the grace of God, Arezoo can one day walk, I believe she will not become a recluse and hide from the government in the safety of her home. If I know anything at all about the courage of Iranian women, Arezoo will go right back on the streets again to defend her "God-given" rights as a woman. Amidst the pathetic silence of the rest of the feminist world, Arezoo will not back down. She will rise again and demand her freedom!

Roya Heshmati, "Punished with 74 lashes for not covering her hair."

  Thirty-three-year-old, Roya Heshmati was on a mission tonight. She refused to be silent anymore. She had emerged from her protective cocoon throwing off the shackles and chains of fear. Dressed in a black skirt and a red t-shirt, Roya walked out of her apartment, took a deep breath, and courageously walked down the street, at fifteen minutes past 9 pm in Tehran on April 19, 2023. 

                                                                           

  Her evening walk was different from the normal casual walk she was used to doing. Tonight, Roya was raising her voice for the rights of women in Iran. She had just left her apartment, refusing to wear the required hijab when going out publicly. Tonight, she let her soft, black hair dangle freely down over her shoulders in protest of the mandatory hijab law. Roya was joining the thousands of other women in Tehran who were also fearlessly opposing the law, displaying their beauty, and saying no to a dictatorship government. Recently the government had installed surveillance cameras across the cities of Iran to catch violators of the Hijab Law. The new President, Ebrahim Rais, had begun a fierce crackdown campaign against women. The new law warned small businesses they would be shut down if their customers came in without wearing the required veil. Women violators would also lose access to public transportation and have their bank accounts frozen.

    Roya understood the harsh consequences of her actions and yet she knew she could no longer be held captive by fear. Tonight was the night. Her best friend accompanied her and at a designated location on the street, she took a picture of Roya with her back turned toward the camera to protect her identity. Arriving home, Roya quickly logged onto her Facebook account and proudly posted her picture, anxious for all of her female friends to know that she was "out of the closet" and joining them in the uprising. 

   Less than 24 hours later, Roya was rudely awakened from her sleep by a tall chador-clad woman accompanied by officers from the secret police. After forcing their way through the door, the woman pushed her aside impatiently, ordering her to put on a hijab. One of the male officers shouted, "Put something on your head" as they began ransacking through her personal belongings and confiscating her computer.

   Outraged by their behavior, Roya refused their demands, staring intently into their eyes, and shouting, "You came into my house. You can't tell me what to wear!"

    Roya was shocked to discover that in less than 24 hours, her photograph had been identified by the cyber police and now she was being arrested. She gazed down at her bed looking at the nylon socks, black skirt, and red t-shirt lying neatly arranged from the previous night. One of the male officers demanded an explanation for her going out publicly the night before without wearing the required veil. Mustering up the remaining courage from deep down in her soul, Roya proudly and unashamedly stood her ground and replied,

    "I am angry about this endless darkness. I am angry about the constant marginalization and erasure of women. I am infinitely angry about the systematic poisoning of female students. I went out in this attire to reclaim my life and my plundered freedom, even if it was just for a few hours, and I accept the consequences for my actions."

    During her interrogation, Roya was questioned if she understood that she had broken the law, to which she replied, "I know wearing a hijab is the law here, but I question its ethical grounding. We all have to choose between compliance with law enforced by power or acting on what's ethically right."

    When pressed by her interrogator if she regretted her actions, Roya was unwavering and boldly answered, "No. I have the freedom to choose my beliefs and attire. I won't compromise my right. No, I don't regret it!"

    The final verdict of the Islamic Revolutionary and Criminal Court for Roya was one year of suspended imprisonment for propaganda against the regime, 12 years and six months of penal imprisonment, for promoting and encouraging corruption and indecency, and seventy-four lashes for violating public decency, plus a fine for production and distribution of offensive content. After spending eleven days in detention, Roya with the help of her lawyer's appeal, had the 13-year imprisonment reduced to a one-year suspended sentence, leaving only the punishment of seventy-four lashes to endure.

                                                                                  

   On the morning of January 3, 2024, Roya was summoned to District 7 court for the penalty of 74 lashes to be carried out. The enforcement officer approached her and directed her to wear the hijab, but she adamantly refused. He then sternly warned Roya that she would be lashed severely, adding another 74 lashes, but Roya bravely stood her ground, refusing to put on the headscarf. Writing later on her Facebook account, Roya described in detail what happened next when she was escorted to the basement for the punishment to be carried out:

  "The iron door squeaked open, revealing a room with cement walls. On the room's floor lay a bed with handcuffs and wielded iron bands on both sides. An easel-like iron device, complete with handcuff places and a rusty iron blind in the center, stood in the room's midst. Additionally, a chair and a small table with an assortment of lashes were behind the door. It resembled a fully medieval torture chamber!"

   The executioner instructed me to remove my coat and lie on the bed. I hung my coat and headscarf at the foot of the torture easel. He insisted, "Put on your headscarf!" I firmly replied that I wouldn't. "Put the Quran under your arm and do what you have to do."

   The man retrieved a black leather lash from the collection, wrapping it around his hand twice as he approached the bed. He began striking my shoulders, back, hips, thighs, and legs. I refrained from counting the strikes. I chanted softly, "In the name of woman, in the name of life, the garments of slavery are torn, our black night will dawn, and all whips will be severed."

   Reading Roya's graphic account of this inhumane torture deeply grieves my soul. I have spent the last eleven years of my life, being a voice for the rights of women in Iran. I have written self-published books telling their stories and doing a weekly podcast called, "The Cross in the Desert," to bring awareness to their struggles for freedom behind the Iron Curtain of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Roya is one of many, brave Iranian women who refuses to compromise her principles, speaking truth to power, and standing up for the precious  God-given gift of freedom, that this dictatorship government refuses to recognize.

   Back in 2013, I wrote a historical fiction novel about a young Iranian violin player named Bahareh, who was secretly performing in an anti-government play entitled, "The Rose of Nowruz." Zealous to be a voice for all of her Iranian friends, she takes part in a public protest during a corrupt presidential election and is tragically gunned down by the militia. One of the powerful songs in my book that is featured in the play, depicts Bahareh, as a courageous freedom fighter who sacrifices her life for the freedom of her friends. 

   As I was reading the powerful account of Roya's lashing, the words to this original song came to mind and I believe it perfectly fits her uncompromising valor in the face of brutality.

    "There is a rose that was silenced, that was crushed. But it will live again. The sun will shine again.

    You gave us hope, gave us freedom, gave us life. Your life will never end. The rose will live again.

    The sun is gonna shine again. The rose is gonna live again.

   Give me wings of freedom so I can fly. I wanna touch the sky. I wanna soar.

   Give me wings of freedom or let me. die. I wanna kiss the sky. I wanna soar!"

   

   Roya willingly endured every single painful lash, every single torturous blow, for all Iranian women. She wasn't thinking of herself. She was thinking of every oppressed Iranian woman with every strike of the leather whip against her back. Roya patiently endured every severe blow of the leather strap with the undying hope that one day the dawn of freedom will finally arrive and the sun will begin to shine again!

   

   

Angela Carini, "The death of a dream in just 46 seconds."

 The poisonous gender apartheid movement in Iran is a deadly cancer for women. They are banned from attending stadium events, riding bicycles, and forced to wear a hijab when going out publicly. In March of 2019, Sahar Khodayari was arrested when trying to enter a stadium to watch a soccer match, disguised as a woman. A few months later, she set herself on fire on a busy public street in Tehran, protesting the oppression of women in Iran, and died from her injuries a few days later in a hospital ICU ward.

  Here in the states, women aren't banned from spectator sports or from competing. They enjoy the freedom that Sahar desperately desired.  However, there is another "poisonous" movement under the banner of inclusion and fairness that demands that transgender women should be allowed to compete against other women, even though they are biologically male. Women athletes have been extremely vocal about the issues of fairness and safety, being forced to compete against another transgender athlete, proclaiming their sexual identity as a woman, but biologically still a man.

  Twenty-five-year-old Italian boxer Angela Carini trained very hard for many years to realize her Olympic dream, and in just 46 seconds, her dream was shattered. Her opponent, Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, landed multiple powerful punches, dislodging Carini's chinstrap, and smashing her chin, bloodying her shorts. In fear for her health and safety, Carini returned to her corner and raised her hand, abandoning the fight. She fell to her knees sobbing and refused to shake Khelif's hand after he was declared the winner. Carini later revelaed that she pulled out after being hit harder than she had ever been hit and feared that her nose was broken.

   "I went to the ring to honor my father. I was told a lot of times that I was a warrior but I preferred to stop for my health. I have never felt a punch like this!" 

    Her opponent, Imane Khelif told the BBC, "I am here for the gold. I will fight anybody. I will fight them all."

                                                             

   Kheliff is one of two boxers permitted to fight at the Olympics despite being disqualified from the women's world championships last year for failing gender eligibility tests. Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni voiced her opinion amidst the controversy and declared,

 "I think that athletes who have male characteristics should not be admitted to women's competition. And not because you want to discriminate against someone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms."

   Riley Gaines, a former swimmer who competed for the University of Kentucky NCAA swim team has been busy advocating against the inclusion of transgender women in the women's division of sports. In 2022, she lobbied her state representatives to pass a law that would prohibit transgender women from women's sports. She was outraged and quickly took to social media after hearing about Angela Carini's tragic bout in Paris.

   "Angela Carini was punched by a man so hard that she had to back out for the sake of survival. Just like so many domestic violence cases, but now its being encouraged and celebrated. Her entire dream came crushing down at the hands of a man allowed into women's sports. Tragic!"

    Riley is working hard to bring attention to the Biden administration's upcoming changes to Title IX, set to go in effect on August 1. Over the past couple of months, more than 26 states have filed suit against the U.S. Department of Education over the proposed rules changes, arguing that it exceeds the department's authority as a federal agency. The new rules would put women's safety and privacy in jeopardy, allowing men to have full access to women's bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing spaces, as long as they declare that they feel like a woman!

   This policy is disgraceful and harmful to women. Angela Carini's dreams were stolen from her on an Olympic platform that has preached to the world that they believe in fairness and equality in competition. What a lie! What hypocrisy! 

                               

   I love the Olympic games and look forward to them every year, but this year I was appalled! First, the Olympic elite attacked my Christian faith during the opening ceremonies and then they robbed a beautiful young Olympic athlete of her dream to win the gold medal in boxing. We must all stand with Angela Carini and be her voice and demand that Title IX will not be compromised, becoming a threat to the well-being and safety of all women athletes.

   It is hard to believe that I have to speak out for women athletes here in my own country. I'm used to being the voice for Iranian women, who are oppressed and discriminated against by their government. I never dreamed that the day would come when I would have to do the same for women athletes here in America.

   But that day has come. I love my country and will not shy away or be silent. Whether in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, or even here in America, my passion is to be a voice for women's rights. Their freedoms are being compromised by a woke, out-of-control, and corrupt administration. The only way to ensure that their freedoms are protected is to go to the ballot box on November 5 and make sure that Kamala Harris and her woke cronies will not be able to implement their plans. So much for a woman who claims to be the champion for the rights of women!