Summer 2012
inside:
Iran’s Moment in History
• Iran’s Moment,
page 1
• My People,
My Heart, page 2
• News from Underground, page 3
• Partner’s Testimony
page 4
I
am so honored to offer my
perspectives on Iran Alive’s
new, 24/7 satellite outreach
to this historic nation, and
to express my deep love for
Dr. Hormoz Shariat.
Tom Doyle (pictured above,
with wife JoAnn in Bethlehem)
is Vice President of e3 Partners,
an innovative missions
organization that is mobilizing
the Church to grow and
multiply around the world.
Tom is responsible for training
and equipping thousands of
servants and church leaders in
the Middle East, North Africa
and Central Asia.
I first met Hormoz at a
seminar conducted by noted
author Joel Rosenberg. Soon, Hormoz
and I recorded a television program and
have conducted three seminars on “How
to Love Muslims to Christ.” I was immediately struck by his heart of love, his
Spirit-given ability to reach Iranians. I
knew then that this man had a burden,
was hand picked by God—exactly the
right person to reach the nation.
Imagine this moment: An Iranian
family is watching a soccer game on television, and then during a news break
suffers through one of president
Ahmadinejad’s broadcast rants. ey
tune their receiver away and then come
across Hormoz. Before them is a man
speaking with uncommon love and supernatural power. He connects with
them…and is incredibly engaging.
I’ve seen it with my own eyes. e
Holy Spirit moves Hormoz from the TV
studio, through the camera, over the
satellite network, through their satellite
dish, directly into homes and hearts. He
preaches the Word of God and invites
Persians into the presence of God with
stunning impact. And they respond…
for this is Iran’s time. ey are so ready.
I well remember standing on a street
corner in an Iranian city. I and my team
were passing out New Testaments—
what Muslims call the “Injil.” We soon
had a crowd of 50 people! You can’t
imagine their hunger and their questions. ey were starved for spiritual
truth and suddenly found themselves
standing before a rich smorgasbord of
food and truth.
continued on page 2
My Heart for My People
Millions of Persians live outside Iran,
many having fled their nation. To reach
them, Iran Alive is live streaming the
Farsi broadcasts over the Internet, now
available worldwide. To watch go to
www.IranAliveMinistries.org
Lives Transformed
I
t was such a thrill for me. And it
happened only a month after Iran
Alive began live streaming the
broadcasts. While at a conference in
Florida, I was invited to have breakfast in a coffee shop by a Persian
friend. A large family also had been
invited. ey were Muslim…a
mother, father and all their children,
living in Florida.
I shook hands and introduced
myself. Immediately they replied,
“We know you! We are watching Network 7.” Surprised, I said, “But we
only just starting broadcasting over the
Internet a few weeks ago. How did you
know?” ey replied, “Our family
who lives in Iran told us about you.”
conditions, and suffering through
economic sanctions because of their
leaders’ nuclear ambitions, the lives
of Iranians are even harder.
I could sense they were so ready
for Christ, but I had to leave for an
appointment. As I was preparing to
depart, my Christian Iranian host sat
down with them at their table. Ten
minutes later, just as I was ready to
leave, she came to me, saying, “Hormoz, they all prayed with me and
came to Christ!” Late or not, I had
to go back and rejoice with them. I
did, and they were so happy!
Like the ancient Jews during
their Egyptian captivity, Iranians are
crying out for a savior, but they
haven’t yet heard of the true savior.
We hear this all the time as Persians
call the counseling centers from
Iran, as I talk to them on-air.
ink of it: a Muslim family in
Iran found the broadcasts. ey
told their Muslim family members
living in the U.S. about Network 7.
Now, they just needed someone to
walk them through the Gospel, to
answer their questions, and lead
them in prayer.
The Best and Worst of Times
ere is a great awakening
among Persians…everywhere! But
this awakening is especially happening inside the country where it is
“the worst of times and the best of
times.” Months ago, during their
much-publicized political uprisings,
a new generation hoped that the
West would come to their aid, but
in vain. Now under ever worsening
And the risks for them to call
Network 7 are very real. But they
call anyway. ey have nothing to
lose. e only place left for hope is
satellite television. It’s then that
they are astonished by what they see
and hear on Network 7…the Word
of God, people who love them, and
the compassion of our Lord.
is then is my heart, my prayer
for my people, that they be delivered
from their
darkness
through love.
For your
prayers and
your faithful
giving, I am
so grateful.
ank you
for your
heart for my
people. God
bless you. •
“Iran’s Moment in History” continued from page 1
People were crying, hugging me, thanking me for
their own Injil. One uniformed Iranian soldier asked me
where the Farsi Injils had been printed. He was relieved
when I said, “England.” “Good,” he replied, “for if the
government had printed it; they would have taken out the
good parts! is is safe. I will read it at home.”
I was invited into a home for dinner. After the meal,
I sat in a room with 25 people, all from Muslim backgrounds. e father of
this extended family
kept asking me questions about Jesus…for
two hours! Finally he
said, “I’m ready. I want
to become a follower of Jesus. Anybody else here want to go
with me?” All 25 people raised their hands and prayed to
receive Christ!
And it’s happening everywhere as people watch
Network 7 safely and privately in their homes.
Hormoz, Iran is “white for harvest.” is is what
you were made for, to win them and build them up in
Christ!
With the Church growing faster in Iran than in any
other nation on earth, it’s no wonder that God gave you
this unquenchable vision to launch a 24/7 network to
win the nation.
continued on page 3
News from Underground
W
e recently interviewed a house church leader in
Iran via the Internet. We took great precautions
to assure complete security and pray you will be encouraged and moved by all he told us.
Iran Alive: Now that Iran Alive is back on the air, how are
the broadcasts received?
Leader: It’s wonderful that Pastor Hormoz and the other
hosts are back on the air, and 24-hours! e programs
are finding more viewers every day. e quality is so
high. People are naturally drawn. It’s awesome to see
him. Our nation’s pastor is back on television!
Iran Alive: What about the typical man on the street? Are
they watching too?
Leader: It seems like everyone I speak to is excited.
After Pastor Hormoz left his previous broadcast slot they
didn’t know where to find him and have been looking for
him since, even Muslims. Now that he’s back, it is so refreshing. Iran Alive programs are profoundly different
from the sour, fear-generating television of the government. Network 7 is joyful. Hormoz connects deeply
with the people and gives them great hope.
Iran Alive: Is Pastor Hormoz really that widely known?
Leader: He and the programs are so known that the
Iranian secret police have made a film about him. ey
claim he is devious and dangerous to Islamic culture.
ey say he is a liar, trying to brainwash the youth. But
Government authorities
are vigilant and very
clever. Yet people take the
risks of calling the counseling center. Even
though things are
so bad and
they are so
hungry for
truth, they defy
the odds.
nobody believes the secret police. When they show the
film, and with things being so bad, it only causes more
people to seek out Network 7 and hear the truth!
Iran Alive: How strong and widespread is the spiritual
wakening we hear about?
Leader: It’s very real and all over the country. God is
appearing to some in dreams, and then they find the
broadcasts. When people are delivered from darkness
they are transformed and tell their neighbors, friends and
family that they have found the truth. ey urge them
to watch Network 7. A new revolution is underway.
God is transforming Iran in one generation!
Iran Alive: What about your safety as a house church
leader?
Leader: It’s very dangerous here. Pray for our safety…
for all of us, yes, please! Every week someone I know is
being arrested. For myself, I trust in God’s hand. Had
the Apostle Paul never gone to prison, he might not
have written so many letters that we have in the New
Testament. If I am arrested, pray that the Lord will use
me too. •
“Iran’s Moment in History” continued from page 2
To your vision I say, “Amen, Amen!”
You have boldly stepped out in faith. It won’t be easy. But I know that
you are God’s man for this hour. All of us at e3 Partners say, “Hormoz,
go for it!”
Editor’s note: Tom, you have been more than gracious. All of us at
Iran Alive feel the same about Hormoz and this ministry. ank you for
your kind words. ank you to the growing number of partners who pray
and give, who have also caught the vision, making this historic ministry
outreach into Iran possible. is is Iran’s moment in history. •
If you would like to learn more
about Network 7, visit
www.IranAliveMinistries.org.
There we encourage you to
watch and experience a short,
online video called “The Prayer.”
A Partner’s Testimony
M
ani Erfan is a former pastor, and currently a successful businessman in the petrochemical field in the USA. He is a wonderful partner with Iran Alive. We asked Mani to share his
perspectives about Hormoz Shariat and the role of Iran Alive in
helping to transform the nation for Christ. Mani, thank you for
your very kind words!
“I remember back to 2001. While a pastor, and being Persian, I
had a vision to broadcast the Gospel into Iran. Not long after meeting
Hormoz, the Lord gave me a very strong impression that we were to
work together. Starting the same week, we were the first to broadcast
the good news into Iran.
Donnell Shariat, Mani Erfan and Hormoz on the
set of Network 7, Iran Alive.
“Hormoz launched in a tiny room. His studio was four walls, a
curtain, table, two chairs, lights and a camera. My studio wasn’t much
better. So those early broadcasts were real steps of faith. Yet the Lord
burdened us both to reach our country for Christ. I now have my own
company and a ministry, and continue supporting Iran Alive.
“Your readers probably know that author Joel Rosenberg has called Hormoz Shariat ‘e Billy Graham of Iran.’ He is
right, but Hormoz is much more than that. He is a father figure to the nation, almost like an apostle. In the same way that
the Apostle Paul struggled and longed for the churches he planted, Hormoz longs for his nation.
“When he steps in front of that camera, something happens. e Holy Spirit speaks through Him. It’s like nothing I’ve
ever seen. We all know it to be true. Love just flows out of him. When Muslims watch the “grey haired man” as they call
him, power moves into their hearts. Hormoz is never confrontational, always merciful and never judgmental. e broadcasts are such a stark contrast from all else they see on television.
“And I admit I am biased because he is my friend, but there is no one like Hormoz and this ministry. He was born for such
a time as this, and has carried heavy burdens as he moved the ministry to Dallas, broadcasting around the clock. Yet, it’s
worth the effort. For I believe that the Church is growing so fast in Iran that Elam (as the nation is called in the Old Testament) will be an instrument to reach all the nations of the Middle East.
“Because this ministry is so historic, many other partners are needed. My prayer is that someone reading this article,
perhaps a successful business person, will join with me in getting behind Iran Alive. e needs and opportunity are great.
“Hormoz, I pray daily for you and the ministry, and Iran. ank you for allowing us all to have a part.” •
Call to Prayer
Iranian Christians are worshipping in the Lion’s Den of Daniel, not far
from the fiery furnace of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Pray
daily for their safety, that the eyes of the police will be blinded, that
their ears be stopped to the sound of worship. Ask that God’s holy
angels stand guard over all Christian leaders and the house churches,
with their flaming swords drawn, defeating the darkness, spreading
the light…until at last, Iran becomes a Christian nation. Thank you. •
“Iran Alive” is published by Iran Alive Ministries
P.O. Box 702925 • Dallas, TX 75370-2925
214-932-0995 • For email requests: [email protected]