As tensions between Iran and Israel intensify, signaling the threat of imminent war, we are reminded of God’s transformative work in the most daunting circumstances. This backdrop of uncertainty sets the stage for remarkable stories of change and hope. Iran Alive Ministry, amidst these challenges, stands committed to utilizing modern technology to see hearts and minds transformed by Christ throughout Iran. Through your support, you are catalyzing change, training new believers, and fueling a disciple-making movement that defies borders and oppression.

An example of your support’s impact is Ramin’s extraordinary story. Once a devout Muslim, Ramin’s life took a dramatic turn after encountering Christ through our ministry. Transforming from deep-seated animosity to heartfelt service, his journey exemplifies the power of faith to bridge divides. This edition focuses on Ramin’s transition from hating his Jewish enemies to serving them. This narrative not only underscores the impact of divine intervention but also illustrates the potential for reconciliation and unity under Christ’s love, even amidst looming  conflict.

Join us in this exploration of faith, transformation, and the Gospel’s unifying power.

MEET RAMIN

Ramin grew up in Iran during the time of the Ayatollah, where he witnessed public executions and lived in a society dominated by strict beliefs that made people afraid. This shaped his views on religion, fairness, and the idea of God from a young age. Amidst these difficult circumstances, Ramin began searching for something more meaningful beyond the rigid rules he grew up with, hoping to find a truth that could make sense of both the beauty and the suffering in the world.

THE SEEDS OF HATRED PLANTED EARLY

Ramin’s education began with early indoctrination. School textbooks were filled with stories depicting Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian infants—sowing seeds of hatred into his young mind.. “I realize the devastating impact such toxic indoctrination had on my ability to see Jews, and indeed any non-Muslims, as anything but enemies. It was a tragic manipulation of children’s innocence to perpetuate conflict. The newspaper is Islamic. The media is Islamic. Schools are Islamic. Society is Islamic. Everything you can see and hear is Islamic,” Ramin says.

ENCOUNTERING BRUTALITY FIRSTHAND

The cruelty of the regime wasn’t just inside the textbooks. At 11, Ramin witnessed the public execution of his neighbors, an event that haunted him for years. The exposure to public killings was just the beginning. At 16, Ramin was arrested and subjected to unspeakable torture simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was stripped, beaten, and denied the most basic of human needs; he experienced what he describes as “a taste of hell.”

QUESTIONING AND SEARCHING FOR TRUTH

These experiences led Ramin to begin questioning the ideology behind the violence. His questioning was affirmed when his father passed away. Distraught, he questioned everything deeper–especially the Quran. He sought answers only to find justifications for the atrocities he had witnessed and endured. “Is this really the truth that we believe? I started going down and down and down into hopelessness, into depression. I left all my friends. I left all my family. I left everybody that I knew, and I locked myself in a dark room, turned the lights off, and was thinking about past and present and future.” Yet, his heart remained open, hoping for something more than what Islam had to offer.

A DIVINE ENCOUNTER

At age 19, Ramin stumbled upon a Christian TV program that challenged everything he had been taught about Jesus. Sitting alone in his living room, a deep longing for truth compelled his ears. The message was overwhelming. Learning of this strange love and redemption was foreign yet captivating. Ramin uttered a prayer that would change the course of his life:

“I just opened my heart and said, ‘Jesus, I do not know You. I’ve been told that you are only a prophet. But if you are the Son of God, if You really died for me and rose again today, I open my heart.” The response was immediate. He experienced an overpowering sense of peace and love, unlike anything he had ever felt or known. This encounter not only healed the deep scars of his past but also ignited a desire to share this newfound love with others, starting with his own family.

FROM HATRED TO LOVE

Miracles followed. His mother, diagnosed with a chronic illness, was instantly healed through Ramin’s prayer, a testament to the power of faith in Jesus. This intervention began a new chapter in Ramin’s life, one characterized by love and forgiveness rather than hatred and revenge. He started evangelizing to others, spreading the Good News of the Gospel. He desperately desired his community to experience and encounter Jesus.

A NEW PURPOSE IN THE HOLY LAND

Ramin’s faith journey led him to his wife, ironically enough, a Messianic Jewish Israeli woman! The connection between them was undeniable, and he realized Christ had grown a deep love and admiration for Israel–another miracle considering his upbringing. Their bond grew, and together they moved back to the Holy Land in 2023, just before the war started. Instead of running away, they decided to stay and serve their Jewish brothers and sisters, offering help and support. Last Fall, they provided over 37,000 meals to over 1,500 Israelis daily. Only God knew that a former Muslim and a Messianic Jewish Israeli could be together, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus amidst a war. A circumstance only the Gospel could afford. In their shared love, Jewish people witnessed the supernatural love of God’s work through Ramin and his wife.

A POWERFUL REMINDER OF LOVE TRIUMPHING HATE

Ramin’s story highlights the critical role of media and technology in spreading the Gospel to closed regions, underscoring the impact of your support in changing lives and fostering peace between former enemies.

“Did You Know?” Key Insights on Iran’s Spiritual Heritage

EXPLORING IRAN’S RICH FAITH HISTORY

Discover Iran’s deep spiritual roots, from its early Christian connections to its special bond with Judaism. We’re diving into the fascinating spiritual journey of Iran, once known as Persia, to appreciate its diverse religious legacy.

CHRISTIANITY IN ANCIENT PERSIA

Did you know Persian people were present on the day of Pentecost? Among them were the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, regions that are part of, or closely associated with, the territory of modern-day Iran.

CYRUS THE GREAT’S JEWISH LEGACY

Cyrus the Great, foretold by Isaiah, made history by freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity. This act of kindness fostered a lasting relationship between Persians and Jews, highlighting Persia’s tradition of religious tolerance.

PERSIAN KINGS IN THE BIBLE

Persian rulers, including Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, are celebrated in the Bible for supporting the Jewish people, contributing to a unique historical bond marked by mutual respect and support.

IRAN’S RELIGIOUS TRANSFORMATION

The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed Iran’s religious landscape, challenging its diverse spiritual heritage. Despite this, the Christian community’s resilience keeps Iran’s ancient Christian legacy alive.

PERSIAN INFLUENCE ON CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

Persian scholars significantly shaped early Christian theology, influencing the faith’s foundations. Their work in theological debate and Church councils has had a lasting impact on Christianity worldwide.

CHRISTIANITY’S PERSISTENCE IN IRAN

Despite hardships, Christianity has persisted in Iran from its early days to the present, demonstrating the enduring spirit of Iran’s Christian community within the nation’s religious mosaic.

YOUR IMPACT RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS

We are thrilled to announce that Iran Alive has been recognized by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) with the International Impact Award. This honor reflects your collective effort, investing in and praying for the ministry and the Iranian People…We thank you, our partners, for your support over the past 24 years. Together, we are impacting lives across Iran and beyond.

BRINGING IT ALL IN

In the heart of Iran’s spiritual awakening, where ancient faith meets modern transformation, Iran Alive Ministries embodies a mission far beyond conversion. It’s a testament to the power of  God’s love, striving not just to lead Iranian Muslims to Christ but to forge a path of reconciliation between Iranians and Jews. This is one of the reasons we often include Messianic Jews in our broadcasts. This is not just about changing religious affiliations; it’s about transforming hearts and minds, aligning them with God’s vision of unity and peace. By sharing the journey of believers like Ramin, we illuminate the path from enmity to friendship, showcasing the living, breathing example of faith’s power to bridge the deepest divides.

In supporting Iran Alive Ministries, we’re not only participating in a historical movement of spiritual change but are actively contributing to a future where the love of Christ heals long- standing wounds. Help us reach out to the young Muslims, inspire them with the journey of faith, and witness the unfolding of God’s plan: turning their Jewish enemies into their friends and, in doing so, showing how God’s love can bring people together, even when recent history and culture have kept them apart.

Dr. Hormoz Shariat
President/Founder
Iran Alive Ministries