Rahim is a Sayyid. This means that he is a descendant of Muhammad and his son-in-law Imam Ali - two of the great heroes of Shia Islam. Being a Sayyid is an honorary title and Rahim's life was unproblematic. Living in Tehran, he had just graduated from medical school on his way to a career as a surgeon. The year before, he had met Jesus in one of the official churches still allowed in Iran at the time. Since then, several of them have been closed - either directly by the government or indirectly by strict laws, requirements and regulations.
"I learned about the faith in one of the official Protestant churches. It was my last year of my studies and I prayed to God to show me what he wanted me to do," says Rahim, who became convinced that he should dedicate his life to missions in Iran. Therefore, Rahim dropped his plans to become a surgeon and spent all his time on mission. 1½ years later, he had the opportunity to attend a Bible course with Danish European Mission's partner Elam, who trained and equipped him.
When official churches close, it's more risky to train new Christians in the faith, but it's so important that it gets done.
"I saw a challenge for training and equipping Christians in Iran. I had been baptized in an official church and so was my family. But it became harder and harder to be a Christian and attend the official churches, and over time many of them have been closed. But this has actually only accelerated the spread of house churches. When official churches close, it's more risky to train new Christians in the faith, but it's so important that it's done. Because the new Christians need discipleship and to be trained in the Christian faith. That's why the Danish European Mission's partner Elam has developed a discipleship program where older Christians help and lead the younger ones, and we see the results. When Muslims come to faith, they have a lot of problems and challenges from their previous lives. There is a lot in their lives that needs to be healed and worked on, which is why discipleship and training is so important so they can grow in faith," says Rahim, who himself worked with discipleship, church planting and evangelism in Iran until he had to leave Iran and has since supported the Iranian church from outside.
Rahim's close family have also come to faith themselves, so of course they are not persecuting him. However, pressure is coming from the government, which has registered Rahim on a list of Christians and persecutes his family because of his missionary activity.
"I was baptized in an official church, so the government knew very well that I had become a Christian. But they didn't do anything about it until I started getting active in missions. It's a consistent pattern that when you have a house church, evangelize or distribute Bibles, the government comes after you. I have long been suspected of being part of Elam by the intelligence services, which is why they have also pressured my family. When I was getting married outside Iran a few years ago, the intelligence services arrested my sister and interrogated her. During the interrogation, the intelligence service told her that We know your brother works with Elam, and we know you're a Christian. That's why you're here. From now on, there will be no communication with Rahim and you are not to travel to his wedding. They banned her and my parents from leaving the country for two years - because of me and their faith."
Two years later, Rahim's family finally got out of the country and met Rahim's wife for a short visit before the family had to return to Iran. But Rahim couldn't travel back with them because he is on the intelligence blacklist and will be arrested if he returns. He found this out the day his sister was arrested.
"They said to her: Tell your brother we know what he's doing with Elam. Tell him he can just come here and work! From that crooked smile, she knew he was lying - they were going to arrest or kill me."
Rahim had already had a close call when he last traveled out of Iran. He had gone to his parents' house to sort out some paperwork at the embassy, and while he was there waiting for his visa, intelligence agents knocked on the door. They came for Rahim, who was hiding on the roof and could see his mother turning them away at the door.
But in tough times, I really felt God's grace and love - and it is enough!
"Miraculously, I got my visa shortly after and made it out of the country before they arrested me. The fear in me when I went to the airport to find my flight was so great. They had just been after me, so I thought they would have to wait for me and arrest me. But I prayed to God and said God, you brought me here, lead me through. Nothing happened because God held my hand. Being a Christian in Iran has not always been easy, and it was especially hard when I had to get married without my parents. But in hard times, I really felt God's grace and love - and it is enough! It's terrible not to be able to return to your home country, but that's the way it is. I love doing mission in Iran from abroad and I loved doing mission in Iran while I was there. When you do God's will and follow his call, you risk persecution - but it's all worth it when you follow God," concludes the follower of Muhammad, who gave up his honorary title in the Islamic community to follow Jesus.
*The name has been changed for security reasons
Support Iran: Smuggling New Testaments
