Pars Theological Center — August 2022 Update
Iran and the Iranian Diaspora
The country of Iran is faced with many uncertainties. In the midst of socio-cultural and economic fragility, Iran is experiencing what can only be described as a spiritual revolution. A recent report conducted by a secular non-profit organization reported that 1.2 million Iranians identify as Christians, one million of whom are believers from a Muslim background. Not only is the number of those identifying as Christians in Iran much higher than what many expected, but the rate of growth of the church is also exponential. In January 2021, The Economist magazine reported that “Christianity is growing faster in Iran than in any other country.”
The one million believers from a Muslim background (BMBs) in Iran are not recognized by the government and are not permitted to worship in the Persian language. As a result, BMBs worship in underground house churches and house church networks across the country. Sadly, many BMBs, when found to be Christians, are thrown out of jobs and universities, and those who are in a position of leadership are often arrested and issued sentences of up to 15 years.
One of the most important needs of the rapidly growing, persecuted church in Iran is the training of faithful and effective servant-leaders who will lead the church toward greater long-term health and mission. Restrictions brought about by persecution mean that providing leadership training to those in the country is extremely challenging.
Pars Theological Center was founded in 2010 by an interdenominational team of Iranian leaders, pastors, theologians, and counselors who dreamed of a hub for biblical, holistic, and contextual leadership training, in response to the need described above. Today, Pars is home to a blended Persian-language School of Leadership, Iranian Leaders’ Forum, Counseling Center, Publishing House, and multiple online platforms devoted to discipleship and leadership development. Through all of these, they are committed to the following mission: to equip and mobilize the Iranian church by training a new generation of biblically rooted, emotionally healthy, and spiritually mature men and women of God, committed to leading the church in loving God and neighbor and transforming the Persian-speaking world for God’s glory.
Pars is currently training over five hundred students in a secure online learning environment. Our students participate in a series of required in-person student conferences throughout the year, held around the world. The team at Pars Theological Center (Pars = Persian), under the direction of Rev. Dr. Mehrdad Fatehi, has committed itself to being the premier resource for equipping church leaders in the Persian-speaking world both in and outside of Iran.
Read more about Pars Theological Center HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Pars Theological Center and multimedia theological training for the house church movement in Iran and the Persian-speaking diaspora. All gifts of any size are welcomed. Please designate gifts to Pars Theological Center. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.