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 power of Christ conquers all..................
If Muslims were allowed to hear the Word, millions would come over.
"And go unto the world" and it is being done today proof positive for this recent convert to Christ and yes, more will follow.
The Truth will come out.
In Islam, being an apostate (someone who once believed, changed of his own free will and is now an "unbeliever") is punished MUCH more harshly than any other offense under Islam.
They are judged much more harshly than Christians or Jews.
There is a special circle of hell reserved in Islam for apostates. Think of it as the way Liberals treat people who have become conservatives, such as David Horowitz.
With swords.
I hope he has received the power of Christ, and that this isn't just a trick to get another bomb-carrying nut out of his Country.
Call me a cynic if you wish.
Therefore, many interpret that quote above to be assurance of the safety of the Church on Earth. Not so (in my understanding). It is more that we will find our safety in preaching as the Enemy's gates can't stand against it. If we fail to preach, we can be overrun.
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
READ LATER...
The broadcasters that he was listening to need to put him in a "witness protection program" and put him on their broadcasts into Iran. There is nothing like first person accounts in these situations.
and thats why they can't allow free worship.
ironic that he risks his life to worship Christ and here some people would rather die then to visit a church.
This man has a future as a Christian evangelist!
We should be dropping smart-Bibles in the middle-east.
I like that.
Probably found that Christianity offers 'the good parts' of Islam without all the murdering bits.....
Ping!
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