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Nader says: "I used to be very angry. I was a political fanatic and ready to sacrifice my whole life for my political beliefs. In the midst of all this, a friend gave me a copy of the New Testament. I saw that it wasn't that long and it looked beautiful, so I agreed to read it. When I got to John 14:6, I was really challenged. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." How could it be? When I got to Acts 2 and the story of Pentecost, I was again shaken. Here is the story of how Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, preached and three thousand were converted. How could this happen? Who was the Holy Spirit?
My room was filled with light
That night, before I went to sleep, I prayed to Jesus: Who are you? If you really are the only way to God, show me. As soon as I asked this question, my room was filled with light. I felt a strength in my heart. I realized that this was the Holy Spirit that I had read about in the New Testament. I began to praise Jesus.
As I did so, the joy in me grew. This lasted for about twenty minutes. Then I fell asleep. I woke up the next day feeling like a new person. But I had my doubts. Was it just a dream? Had it really happened? I kept reading the New Testament. A few nights later, I had the same experience again. This time I knew for sure that it was not a dream. This confirmed two truths for me that changed my life. First, I understood that the words of the Bible are the Word of God. Second, I knew that Jesus is God. So I repented and gave my life to Jesus. My life changed direction. I went from wanting to give my life for a political cause to giving my life to Jesus. My heart was filled with the love of God.
I wanted others to experience this love and know the truth about Jesus. I started handing out the New Testament to as many people as I could. I put them in people's cars and in their homes. Sometimes I prayed and then gave them to people on the street. I put them on benches in parks.
Caught up by police and sent to jail
All in all, I distributed over 6000 copies of the New Testament in Iran. I knew it was illegal, but I also knew that this mission was worth suffering for. One day the police caught up with me. I was riding a motorcycle with a friend and the police chased us in their cars. At some point during the escape, we ran over some gravel at high speed and overturned the motorcycle. My friend broke one of his legs. I thought about running away, but then I remembered Jesus' words: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends". So I stayed there.
Being in prison was hard. But the Word of God says: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross." Nader
We were beaten, interrogated and put in solitary confinement. It was hard to be in prison. But the Word of God says: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross". These words of Jesus were always in my heart. Jesus saved me when I was dead, so I have promised to live my life for him. I spent many weeks in prison. Finally, I was forced to leave Iran because of my work distributing the New Testament. But I still spend my life reaching out to Iranians and training them in the faith.
I know the hearts of Iranians. They thirst for the truth. - Nader
I still want every Iranian to have a copy of the New Testament. I know the hearts of Iranians. They thirst for the truth. As long as I live, I want to be part of making sure that Iranians get their hands on Scripture."
Today, Nader continues to serve the Lord by overseeing several Persian-speaking churches in neighboring Iran and by reaching and training people in Iran through internet evangelism.
It only costs $40 to ensure an Iranian gets their hands on a copy of the New Testament.Thank you to everyone who helps Iranians read the New Testament and have a life-changing encounter with Jesus - for time and eternity. Thank you very much.
