According to Charles Spurgeon, “Religion which costs a man nothing is usually worth nothing.” In her missionary and humanitarian ministry to Iran—including its persecuted Christians and scattered diaspora—Lana Silk has been learning the meaning of costly religion. This episode features Heather’s inspiring conversation with Lana.

Guest Bio

Lana Silk, the daughter of Lazarus and Maggie, serves as the USA chief executive officer of Transform Iran. In this role, she actively seeks to bring freedom to the people of Iran, transforming the nation into one which bears the image of Christ. Through ministry and humanitarian aid, she hopes that Transform Iran will create divine change in the lives of the Iranian people. Lana was born and raised in Iran before emigrating to the UK where she completed her education at Imperial College, London, gaining an honors degree in computer engineering. She later did postgraduate studies in marketing communication strategy.

With over 20 years marketing experience across all media, Lana has a passion to see small businesses and startups gain their voice in a competitive environment. She has also worked as a church minister, worship leader, and most recently a college chaplain, where she took further post-graduate studies in working with youth, with a focus on mental health and safeguarding. She is trilingual and considers it her life calling to represent and advocate for the people of Iran in the West. Lana currently makes the USA the base of operations for Transform Iran. She and her husband live in Ohio with their three children.

About Transform Iran

For more than 30 years, Transform Iran—formerly 222 Ministries—served on the front lines of the Iranian Diaspora, sharing the love of Christ, training leaders, and providing aid to the persecuted. God has given Transform Iran a unique position in the Middle East to meet the spiritual needs of many Iranians. In addition to spiritual support, Transform Iran provides humanitarian relief, including emergency food and shelter, medical care, and legal help for asylum, among other forms of practical aid to Iranians who have been forced to leave their country. For information, visit transformiran.com.

Social Toolkit: Video Rules

But before Heather sits down with Lana, it’s time for Social Toolkit. This week Heather gives us a brief commentary on YouTube, Reels, and TikTok and the rise of video as a dominant medium for content. How’s your video competence? With social media algorithms increasingly favoring video, Heather encourages creators in the Viral Jesus community to stay alert to trends and how they might ultimately affect their content creation and discovery.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heather’s weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

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