California Based International Antioch Ministries Receives Death Threats from Iran

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to International Antioch Ministries (IAM), callers from Iran are threatening their workers with disfigurement, injury and death.

Farzaneh, an IAM telephone counselor taking phone calls from Iran during IAM’s daily broadcasts into Iran, was threatened by someone who identified himself as Heydar Amiri:

“One day you will see that the building of this church will collapse on all of you, we know your address very well and know where you are located. We do not let you continue your programs like this anymore. Shedding your blood in Islam has a reward for me.”

Bahnoosh, another telephone counselor, relayed this threat:

“One day a bomb will go off in your church and will make you all vanish, because you are all blasphemers.”

IAM believes that these terrorist threats are being fueled by the success of IAM’s satellite broadcasts into Iran. As a result of these broadcasts, according to IAM, the number of Muslims embracing Christianity in Iran is growing dramatically.

Dr. Hormoz Shariat, president of IAM and senior pastor of The Iranian Christian Church said, “Our broadcasts are a benefit to the people of Iran. During our daily two-hour, live, call-in TV broadcasts, we often receive callers from Iran who have severe personal problems and we offer them comfort, healing and hope. Some are suffering from drug addiction, depression, contemplating suicide or are trapped in a life of prostitution all of which are epidemic in Iran. Every day, we get calls from Iran from people who report that their lives have been changed, they have been set free from addictions, and their families have been restored. We are making a positive difference in Iran and are saving lives.

“We are very careful to show respect to Islam and to Mohammad. So we are doubly concerned about these threats since we have done nothing to merit these terror tactics in all our broadcasts except to hold up Jesus, which all Muslims honor. These terror threats will only increase our resolve to continue and expand our good work in our beloved Iran.”

How to Help

People who wish to stay informed can sign up for our free newsletter on our website at: http://www.iam-online.net/. Those who are impressed to make a one-time or continuing tax-deductible donation, however large or small, to promote religious diversity in Iran can send a contribution to Free to Worship in Iran c/o International Antioch Ministries, 740 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, CA. 94085. Or, secure donations can be taken via IAM’s web site at http://www.iam-online.net/donate.html.

About International Antioch Ministries

IAM is part of 24-hour satellite TV broadcasts into Iran that have been a catalyst for bringing many Iranian Muslims to Christ. IAM plants churches, trains Iranian-speaking Christian leaders for ministry and provides humanitarian support to Iranians worldwide. IAM's California-based church plant, The Iranian Christian Church, is the largest MBB (Muslim Background Believer) church in the USA. IAM is a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to fulfilling The Great Commission: first to Iranian Muslims and then to the rest of the Muslim world. Organizational supporters include CBN, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), Sammy Tippit, John Maxwell, and Joyce Meyer ministries. For more information, contact International Antioch Ministries, 740 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif. 94085. T: 408 732 5050, F: 408 732 7575. Visit the English web site at: www.iam-online.net or the Persian site at: www.24hourchurch.com.

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Note to Editors

Key words:

Iranian Christians, International Antioch Ministries, Iranian Christian Church, Islamic death threats, terror threats, Muslim Converts, Religious Freedom, Religious Freedom in Iran, Iran, Hormoz Shariat

Categories

Religion: Christianity; Non-profit: Christian outreach organization