Iranian Imam Receives Christ Via Satellite TV, Escapes Country

ASSIST News Service (ANS), by way of www.joels-trumpet.com ^ | Monday, March 5, 2007 | Mark Ellis

[Squidpup]

WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- One of the top Islamic leaders in Iran accepted Christ and left the country after facing death threats and imprisonment, according to an Iranian pastor living in the U.S.

“This man has been watching Christian TV programs for the past two years,” said Pastor Elnathan Baghestani, founder of Iran for Christ Ministries. (www.iranforchrist.com) Pastor Baghestani and his wife provide Christian programming to the Mohabat Network satellite, which broadcasts 24/7 into Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. The imam called one of the phone counselors connected to Iran for Christ Ministries and prayed to receive Christ in early February. “The man has been watching Christian TV programs for the past two years,” Baghestani said. “He said he has believed since he began watching the programs but his salvation was sealed through his confession.”

“This man knows all the verses of the Qur’an by heart,” he added. “After he began watching, doubt began in his heart about the Islamic faith.” The man spent nine months in prison after he questioned the violence of radical Islam. Following his release from prison, he faced numerous death threats and escaped the country.

Several other religious leaders may follow suit. “He knows four other high-ranking imams that are in the same condition and want to leave Iran,” Baghestani said.

While it is illegal to own satellite dishes in Iran, many hide them on their roofs or other locations on their property. “They arrest people for having satellite dishes because they know the Christian programming is effective,” Baghestani noted.

The imam who fled left everything behind. “His salary was 700,000 of their monetary units every month,” Baghestani said. “He was honored and respected, but when the gospel came to him he lost everything,” he noted. “Now he is a poor refugee in a foreign country.”

“God is shaking the foundation of Islam in Iran,” Baghestani said. “We have been praying for some of the main government officials to come to Christ and God is answering us,” he reports. “I pray God will open more doors for us to send the gospel to the Middle East.”

[Salem]

"This is the real war."

You bet it is. What a great story. Thanks for posting it. What a perfect example of how contemporary media—and those who see the potential and exploit it—can penetrate the green "Iron Curtain" of Islam in the Middle East.

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Free Republic's News From the Long War
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Translated Pre-War IRAQ Documents  by jveritas
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
"PLAES DO NOT TOCH THE WAR"  by AnnaZ
One FReeper On The Line  by SNOWFLAKE
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

"...It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world." [FReeper Retief]

"...That the totalitarian force pitted against freedom wears a religious makes this civil war among mankind all the more difficult to engage. Loving freedom as we do, it seems reprehensible to deliberate against a religion. But this is no ordinary religion as it demands absolute obedience of all to their religion at the cost of freedom itself." [FReeper Backtothestreets]

[eleni121]

Hallelujah! I understand the joy involved in finding the Lord...and the horrible fear if muslims retaliate.

[doug from upland]

Wow.

[firebrand]

More enlightened than trying to outbreed them.

[2ThumbsUp]

Miracles happen!

[sageb1]

Wonderful! Thanks for the Good News ping!

[Mannaggia l'America]

One of the top Islamic leaders in Iran accepted Christ and left the country

If he left for the US, the Democrats may have finally found an illegal immigrant they would be willing to deport...

[Sergio]

Excellent. Bookmark and save.

[Paige]

You are absolutely correct.

[Quix]

Thanks.

[ol' hoghead]

Our Lord's "Great Commission".

.And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

[HitmanLV]

I'm sure Mother Angelica's great tv programs helped!

 

[starbase]

So Hitman, did you ever develop that promising radio gig you flirted with? As I recall, you had a lot of natural talent on the radio, you should see it through! (If you become a millionaire you could pay for FR for years!!!) ;-)

[HitmanLV]

Hahah! Savage announced that contest and never followed up on it! Drat! maybe I should follow his lead - make a demo and send it to 400 stations and see if anyone bites! Just like Uncle Savage did a decade ago!

Thanks for the kind words, though! I'll keep you posted! ;-)

[omega4179]

to the Mohabat Network satellite,

I swear I saw Moonbat the first time I read it.

Saving souls from Satanslam is the real war, I agree with Squidpup.

[Ladycalif]

ping

[Ladycalif]

In Stolen Lives, a Muslim Family was imprisoned for many years. As they were upper class, they had attended Catholic Schools to get a good education, but did not attend religious classes.

While in prison, they converted to Christianity. One girl changed her name to Mary.

They said that when they cried out to God in despair, it was the God of Christianity who answered.

[prairiebreeze]

per our recent discussion, ping

[Ladycalif]

# I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
# Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.


# The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.


# Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

[scripter]

Thanks for the ping!