'In the last 33 years the number of Iranians that have come to Christ is more
than ever in history,' said Mansour Borji, at a seminar on Supporting the
Persecuted Church in Iran organised by Sat -7.
Mr Borji, an Iranian pastor who has lived in London the last 15 years, explained that only Armenian and Syrian churches were recognised by the Iranian government. These churches are not allowed to evangelise, baptise or conduct services in the main Iranian language, Farsi. Rather than suppress Christianity this has led to a flourishing underground house church movement of Farsi-speaking Christians which now outnumber the government recognised churches.The estimated number of Christians in Iran is 300,000 but the actual number could be over a million.'Where there is persecution, the grace of God is abundant,' said Mr Borji.
In the last three years over 300 believers have been arrested for being Christians, with 22 still being detained. Punishments can range from six to eight years for holding a Bible study in your home to the death sentence for apostasy.
Mr Borji, an Iranian pastor who has lived in London the last 15 years, explained that only Armenian and Syrian churches were recognised by the Iranian government. These churches are not allowed to evangelise, baptise or conduct services in the main Iranian language, Farsi. Rather than suppress Christianity this has led to a flourishing underground house church movement of Farsi-speaking Christians which now outnumber the government recognised churches.The estimated number of Christians in Iran is 300,000 but the actual number could be over a million.'Where there is persecution, the grace of God is abundant,' said Mr Borji.
In the last three years over 300 believers have been arrested for being Christians, with 22 still being detained. Punishments can range from six to eight years for holding a Bible study in your home to the death sentence for apostasy.
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