Exclusive: Underground Church Update from Iran // FAI ONLINE

At least 4 imprisoned demonstrators have been condemned to death after street protests kicked into high gear across Iran last week. Millions of Iranians took to the streets on Tuesday to commemorate the third anniversary of the failed 2019 protest movement, burning the ancestral home of the founder of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, and setting fire to a renowned Shi’a Muslim seminary in the city of Qom. At least 342 Iranians have been killed in the streets by security forces since mid-September, including at least 43 children and 25 adult women, after the beating death of Masha Amini by the Basiji (Iranian morality police) sparked a nationwide movement spanning every demographic of Iranian society. Hundreds more have been injured and maimed, often by rubber bullets fired at close range.

The death sentences were confirmed in Iranian courts after the Iranian parliament voted overwhelmingly to recommend capital punishment for all 15,800 protestors in custody. At least 1,024 other prisoners have been charged so far with offenses which include “enmity against God” and “spreading corruption on the earth.” Despite this, the demonstrations have continued to grow, as the funerals of those killed by the regime have become launching pads for angry family members and friends who are often told by officials that their loved ones died in an “accident.”

As the street demonstrations continue, members of the Iranian underground church have witnessed both painful suffering and amazing works of God. One home church leader provided the Wire with the following report:

Most people in Iran want regime change—people on the street, people at home, and people who own businesses. But as watchmen and intercessors, our hope is in Jesus and not in religion, people, or government…The Revolutionary Guard and police are shooting at people daily who are demonstrating in the streets. Tragically, some are killed and many others are wounded. If the wounded go to a hospital for medical care, the staff of the hospital, are now required to take down the patient’s name and information and give that to the police. The police will then find them, arrest them, and put them in jail. There are some believers from the underground church that are medically trained to take care of wounds. With the help of the underground church in Iran, they have set up their homes to serve as medical clinics to treat the wounded. While receiving care, the Holy Spirit uses these servants to demonstrate a unique LOVE the person has not ever experienced through Islam.

One woman shared, “We ran out of medical supplies very quickly. We gathered some money, and I went to our local pharmacy to get supplies. The pharmacist, who was also the owner, was suspicious and asked, ‘Why are you buying all these supplies? You need a permit from a hospital for buying this volume of supplies. Show me your hospital order.’ Initially, I was scared to reply. I thought, ‘What if he is pro-government and turned me in if I told him the truth?’ But God gave me courage to tell the truth. I said, ‘Because we are taking in the wounded on the streets into our homes, help them with their bullet wounds, and [we] keep them until they recover.” To my astonishment, the pharmacist was delighted. ‘Are you really doing this?’ he said. ‘Wonderful job! I always wanted to help my people who are on the streets, but I did not know how. But now I know. I will give you a truckload of these supplies at no charge, and when you need more, come and tell me, and I will give you another truckload.’

We invite the Maranatha family to join us in continued intercession for the people of Iran during this season of upheaval and opportunity. The underground church leaders have requested prayer in the following ways:

1.) Please pray for the underground church to be filled with the Holy Spirit, with His wisdom and revelation for creative ways to boldly pull out those destined for the pit of hell.

2.) The underground church asks that you don’t pray for the persecution to end. Instead, when the trials come, pray for steadfastness and grace for us to fast and pray instead, to keep hearts from worldly responses, and to deepen intimacy and trust in God.

Maranatha.