Saturday, October 27
Iran
It was a rainy day in Amsterdam. A large group of Iranian immigrants from all across Europe were attending the three-day conference. As one of the teachers, I was invited to participate and baptize seven new believers. We had met with the seven individually, making sure they truly experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
During this joyful worship service, to everyone's surprise, a man stood up and asked to be baptized. He was an Iranian tourist attending the conference with one of his Christian relatives. We examined and baptized him on the spot. After the service, I asked what caused him to make this decision. He replied, "I read a few pages of the Persian Bible. It was easy to read but hard to accept as the Word of God. Last night I dreamt I saw a tall man dressed in white who asked me to follow him. I am sure he was Jesus Christ. Now I will go back to Iran and tell my wife and children about my new life.'' I gave him a copy of the Persian Children's Bible to take with him. We are praying for his family.
Despite the fact that the government of Iran does not allow mission activities inside the country, the Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iran continues its witness and ministry under the leadership of the Rev. Sargez Benyamin, who serves as the executive secretary.
Presbyterian mission work among Iranians in the diaspora continues and grows. In 2010, the PC(USA) ordained the first Muslim-background Iranian as a minister of Word and Sacrament. In addition to our denomination's outreach in Germany with two PC(USA) mission co-workers, the Rev. Sadegh Sepehri and Mr. Aziz Sadaghiani, three Iranian Presbyterian churches are witnessing among Iranians in Europe. The Association of Iranian Presbyterians in North America (Anjoman) assures that the Iranian Presbyterian pastors and churches are well connected and supported spiritually.
- Rev. Mansour Khajehpour, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott, Kansas
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
The Synod of the Evangelical Church of Iran: Rev. Sargez Benyamin, executive secretary
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Ellen Sherby, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Alex Sherman, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Let us pray
Lord, we thank you that by your Spirit, the political pressure of recent years has enabled many Iranians to open their hearts to Jesus Christ. We pray for their safety and their spiritual growth. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 122; 149
First Reading Micah 7:1-7
Second Reading Revelation 10:1-11
Gospel Reading Luke 11:1-13
Evening Psalms 100; 63
