Posted on 03/09/2007 1:45:15 PM PST by 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.”
The real war it is indeed.
Praise God, we've read the end of the book. We know who Wins.
God and right win.
The puppet masters think that satan wins at Armageddon. Are they in for a huge surprise.
Lord, God, please be closely with all the Islamists who truly seek God Almighty. Draw them to your Son and give them provision, safety and most of all, YOURSELF. in Jesus' Name.
Yes, it is. But thousands of Iranians have come to know the Lord. They just can't tell about it yet.
There are thousands of Iranians who know Christ as saviour and Lord. They just don't dare let anyone know.
With God, all things are possible.
Thanks.
AMEN!
[...Lord, God, please be closely with all the Islamists who truly seek God Almighty. Draw them to your Son and give them provision, safety and most of all, YOURSELF. in Jesus' Name...]
Agreeing in the Spirit. Amen
It must be late. I saw the headline and thought, " Gee, how come I never received Jesus on MY satellite TV? All I get is lousy reruns!"
Goodnight all!
Thanks everybody for your good comments. We need more of these Good News stories.
(It IS late) :o)
No, when held in contrast, there are no good parts in Islam. That is why the gospel is effective. It shows them love, mercy and peace. All completely missing from Islam.
Thanks for the ping!
I heard last December from an Iranian Christian that a lot of Iranians (especially those too young to remember the Shah) are Moslem in name only, and they find other religions more interesting, like Zoroastrianism.
Unfortunately this imam will have to change his name if he shows himself, like Walid Shoebat, the former Palestinian terrorist who's now a Christian.
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.
Very interesting and some good news. The internet and satellite television may do more to change the Middle East than anything else we could do. The young people can see how the West lives and want that lifestyle for themselves.
'Take the word into all the nations' and this is what TV is doing, the only source of the Word to them.
Good morning, how are ya.
Thank you for the ping!:)
Amen.
"Now he is a poor refugee in a foreign country."
He is not poor nor without a home.
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread." -- Psalm 37:25
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