Here is an excerpt from an interview I read recently about Iran. It reveals the hunger of the people for something more - and many are finding it in Jesus! Please continue to pray for these precious people!
ROSENBERG : Are the Iranian people supporting Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah Khamenei?
DOYLE: Not at all. The people believe that the Islamic Revolution has destroyed their country. The people live in constant fear daily because of the government's fanatical obsession with upholding Sharia Law that was imposed on them in 1979. Iranians also believe that the government cannot be trusted and that corruption is rampant. In the last "election" in Iran I am told by insiders that only about 10% of the entire country voted. Another tell-tale sign is that an estimated 70% of Iranians claim to be atheists now. The majority of the people want nothing to do with Islam and their leaders.
ROSENBERG: What's happening spiritually in Iran -- and why?
DOYLE: In 1979 when the Islamic Revolution began there were probably about 500 believers in Iran . The country was going to become "an Islamic model" for other Muslim nations to follow. But those plans failed miserably. Because today we know that there are 1-2 million believers [in Jesus Christ] in Iran . The Church in Iran took off once the Islamic Revolution took place. Joel, the people of Iran are so open to Jesus. We had many people walk up and ask us to tell them about Jesus. The believers meet in secrecy, they share Bibles written in Farsi, and they worship passionately. In Iran if you are a believer your life is obviously at risk. Some key leaders have been martyred for their faith.
ROSENBERG: How many house churches are you hearing will be planted in Iran in the next 12 to 18 months or so?
DOYLE: The estimate is about 10,000.
DOYLE: Not at all. The people believe that the Islamic Revolution has destroyed their country. The people live in constant fear daily because of the government's fanatical obsession with upholding Sharia Law that was imposed on them in 1979. Iranians also believe that the government cannot be trusted and that corruption is rampant. In the last "election" in Iran I am told by insiders that only about 10% of the entire country voted. Another tell-tale sign is that an estimated 70% of Iranians claim to be atheists now. The majority of the people want nothing to do with Islam and their leaders.
ROSENBERG: What's happening spiritually in Iran -- and why?
DOYLE: In 1979 when the Islamic Revolution began there were probably about 500 believers in Iran . The country was going to become "an Islamic model" for other Muslim nations to follow. But those plans failed miserably. Because today we know that there are 1-2 million believers [in Jesus Christ] in Iran . The Church in Iran took off once the Islamic Revolution took place. Joel, the people of Iran are so open to Jesus. We had many people walk up and ask us to tell them about Jesus. The believers meet in secrecy, they share Bibles written in Farsi, and they worship passionately. In Iran if you are a believer your life is obviously at risk. Some key leaders have been martyred for their faith.
ROSENBERG: How many house churches are you hearing will be planted in Iran in the next 12 to 18 months or so?
DOYLE: The estimate is about 10,000.
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