Joy at return to online teaching sessions for Iranians
“It is such a great joy for me to be able to once again connect with you!” Kamyar from Iran said as he was able to join SAT-7 PARS’ small group teaching sessions on Zoom after the country’s long internet blackout.
“In these three months when we didn’t have internet, we weren’t able to attend the meetings,” he said. “It was very painful, but as it happens something good came out of it. During this time, we spent more time searching in the Word of God, and I wrote down all my questions so I can ask you later. And how good it is that we can hear from you again!”
Since the partial restoration of the internet in Iran in late May, dozens of people inside the country have been able to join the Zoom teaching and fellowship sessions again. But many Iranians continue to face significant connectivity issues, preventing some of the previous attendees from being able to join regularly.
“DEEP VOID”
“During the weeks of the internet shutdown, many shared that they felt a deep void and sorely missed these gatherings,” said Ashraf Khalilpour, SAT-7 PARS Viewer Support Manager. “This period of separation actually made them realise the value of this fellowship and teaching more than ever before. Many testified that the practical lessons from past sessions helped them live with greater hope and steadfastness during those dark days of fear and uncertainty.”
One of them is Yasra, a long-standing member of the group. She said the sessions they had together before the blackout “kept me going” during days of despair and depression.
“During the time that we were cut off from the outside world, I constantly reviewed the lessons and tried to put them into practice, and it enabled me to survive these days. How grateful we were to God for your Zoom training sessions!”
Yasra said that she sensed people were praying for them and that she experienced the Holy Spirit in a fresh way:
“You always said that we have the Spirit of God within us, and this was something I didn’t properly understand until the period since January. Then I understood and recognised its relevance; in every situation I was asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, because I knew that He was there with me. Thank you for your teaching, dear friends.”
MEETING NEEDS
SAT-7 PARS hosts four Zoom sessions every week, tailored to different discipleship needs: prayer and fellowship; advanced teaching; intermediate; new believers and beginners.
Topics are carefully chosen to address the real-world needs of the people and the current situation in Iran. Recent sessions have explored:
- “Faith in Ambiguity”: How to continue trusting God when we do not have answers to all our questions
- “Discerning God’s Voice”: How to distinguish God’s voice from our own thoughts, emotions and fears
- “Having the Mind of Christ Amid Crisis”: How to prevent fear and despair from ruling our thoughts and decisions in the midst of terrifying news
While the Zoom sessions provide invaluable teaching to help Iranians live out their faith in difficult circumstances, they do much more than that.
“These sessions are far more than just educational classes,” Ashraf said. “They have become a safe space for fellowship, dialogue, prayer and spiritual growth. Participants can speak freely about their challenges, anxieties and questions: matters they might not be able to express in any other environment. They feel heard, spiritually supported, and they experience a profound sense of belonging to a spiritual family.”
In one recent session, Arzhang and his wife opened up about their struggles during recent months and also shared a testimony of God’s faithfulness:
“The situation was very difficult for us, and we experienced the kind of financial hardship that we had never experienced before. However, in those very hardships, I saw more of God’s love and His wonderful works. I don’t take that for granted. My gratitude has increased, and I understand and appreciate God’s fatherly presence and His faithfulness more than before.”
As well as providing support for individuals and families, the questions, concerns and experiences shared by viewers during the Zoom sessions help to inform and shape SAT-7 PARS content.
And, as Ashraf explains, they are an “investment in the future”. “These teachings and fellowships are helping to shape mature, deeply-rooted believers who are ready for ministry,” she says. “Individuals who will be a source of influence and blessing in the church, family and society in the future of Iran.”
PLEASE PRAY:
- Give thanks that some Iranian viewers are able to join the SAT-7 PARS Zoom teaching sessions again.
- Pray for improved internet connectivity in Iran so that more people can join more regularly.
- Pray that these sessions will continue to be a source of strength and encouragement for all participants.