In Iran, our partners continue to support the next generation of church leaders for the growing church, estimated to be the fastest growing in the world. Through secure and remote theological training and in–person conferences young believers, eager to serve, are being equipped for ministry.

Iran’s spiritual need for the gospel is immense, but the country suffers from severe social problems as well. A high incarceration rate reveals nearly 200,000 people currently serving sentences. A key factor that helps explain this high figure is the epidemic of drug addiction within the country. Estimates on the number of addicts range from 2.5 million to 7 million; a very high proportion of the 88.5 million population.

It is in this context that our partners have shared a wonderful story of the power of God to transform people in the most unlikely of circumstances. Within Iran’s prisons, addicts often enrol in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a course designed to help recovery from drug abuse. It was through one of these courses a group of men who had been imprisoned for drug–related charges came to know Jesus! Christian values underpin the NA course, and as the group progressed through the twelve–step programme, they became more and more receptive to a very different way of thinking about the world. Intrigued by the values espoused by the course, they were interested in Christianity itself and put their faith in Christ after understanding the gospel.

After release, five men from the group enrolled for the training offered by our partners. With their personal experience of addiction, and support from our partners, they began to focus on outreach to addicts in their city. The Lord blessed their ministry mightily. In the span of five years, the men planted 22 house churches of drug addicts across the city.

However, such remarkable gospel growth drew unwelcome attention, and the five men were arrested and remanded in prison. One of the men spoke of how ashamed he had been when he was incarcerated as an addict, but he now says, “I am proud to be here for Christ.”

Praise God for His amazing grace in the lives of so addicts in Iran. Pray for these men of God who have faithfully served Him and now are in prison. May they know the presence of the Lord and be released soon.