In many places in our world those who love the Lord Jesus pay a high price for making him known – and they need your support.
Omid* is one such servant of Christ. A convert from a Muslim family in Iran, he and his family have faced one trial after another, solely because of their love for Christ and the gospel.
Shortly after coming to faith in Christ, Omid was threatened by Muslims in his hometown. He fled to the city of Tehran, where, two years later, he was baptised and became deeply involved in the ministry of house churches. It was there he met his wife.
Eventually Omid was ordained (outside of Iran) to serve as a house church pastor. ‘By God’s grace, 18 house churches were established, in seven different cities of Iran, with more than 270 people receiving discipleship teaching and being baptised,’ he said. ‘New leaders also rose up and began serving in their own communities.’
However, in 2016, one of the main house churches was raided and two leaders were arrested. They were tortured by the authorities and were forced to reveal Omid’s details. Because of the serious danger to his life, Omid and his wife fled to Turkey. The threat was not over, though, as he soon learned that Iran’s feared Revolutionary Guard were still actively seeking his whereabouts.
He and his wife applied for asylum – while Omid continued serving Iranian believers outside of Iran for the next five years.
Then in 2024 Omid, his wife and two daughters, aged four and six, were all detained by the police and sent to a refugee camp for six months. The conditions there, he says, were harsh. ‘But even in that suffering, God worked: during that time, seven Iranians gave their lives to Christ. For us, it was worth it,’ he said.
As their turbulent, difficult circumstances continued, Omid and his family eventually left Turkey and met a Release International partner in northern Iraq.
One high price he has paid is that in the unsettled life he has been forced to live, his two daughters have missed out on much of their education. But despite all he has been through, Omid is still passionate about sharing the gospel with Iranians who have come out of that country, and about equipping those who are able to return.
Release International partners in places like northern Iraq constantly face the challenge of supporting those who have suffered much for their love of Christ and their desire to make him known. Many, like Omid, have been forced to flee, and endure considerable hardship over a long period of time. Their needs are great.
Could you send a gift of £30 or more to Release International, to help us support persecuted Christians like Pastor Omid and his family?
Release International is looking to help Omid to settle in Iraq in a place where his daughters have a chance to study and to grow and where he can continue to support the church in Iran, so that it might be prepared for whatever happens in that country in the days ahead.
Iranian Christians frequently visit surrounding countries for ministry training and encouragement before returning to their country. Some, like Omid, will be forced to flee. These brothers and sisters need our help.
Indeed, In many places in our world today Christians face ongoing threat and oppression for their faith in Jesus Christ and for their gospel witness.
Will you remember those who pay a high price for believing in him and serving him? Will you help us to help Christians like Omid?
Your gift of £35, £60, £100, £250—or any amount you are able to give at this time—can make a real difference in the lives of Christians who have suffered, and who continue to suffer persecution.
Thank you for your concern for persecuted Christians around the world. Every gift you send enables us as a ministry to resource our partners around the world, as they continue to do vital work, in loving and caring for those who suffer for Christ.
* Name changed.
May God bless you in the year ahead,
Paul Robinson
CEO, Release International
