🔥 "Many believe Christianity is a 'Western religion' imported to Iran—but the truth is that the Persian Church has deep, indigenous roots that predate Islam and once influenced the entire East."

In this historical and inspiring episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Philip Hopkins—historian and expert on Iranian Christianity—to trace the lineage of the Nestorian and Armenian traditions and explain why this ancient heritage matters for the massive revival happening today.

🎯 Who This Is For:

1. Students of Church History and Global Christianity
2. Iranian believers wanting to connect with their spiritual heritage
3. Ministry leaders engaging with Persian culture
4. Anyone curious about the "Nestorian" mission movement
5. Believers praying for the persecuted church in the Middle East

💡 Key Takeaways:

→ How the Nestorian Church became one of history’s most powerful mission movements 

→ Why the modern Iranian revival is distinct from Western Christianity 

→ The role of persecution in shaping the resilience of Persian believers 

→ How the 1979 Revolution inadvertently fueled indigenous church growth

🔗 Connect & Learn More:

🇮🇷 Learn more about Hear4Iran

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🙏 Support the persecuted church

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

🔥 "The Iranian church is one of the fastest-growing underground movements in the world—but few understand the cultural wounds and leadership tensions threatening to fracture it from within."

In this raw and revelatory episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Roy Oksnevad—veteran Iranian diaspora minister, author, and cultural bridge-builder—to unpack what most never talk about:

🎯 Who This Is For:

- Church leaders working with Middle Eastern diaspora communities

- Cross-cultural missionaries and ministry workers

- Anyone interested in persecution, trauma-informed care, or global Christianity

- Iranian believers seeking language for their own experience

- Students of honor/shame cultures and non-Western Christianity

💡 Key Takeaways:

→ Why traditional Western leadership models often fail in Iranian contexts 

→ How to create safe spaces for emotional healing in high-shame cultures 

→ The difference between unity and uniformity in multicultural church planting 

📎 Resources Mentioned:

📖 "The Burden of Baggage" by Dr. Roy Oksnevad

💻 COMMA: Reaching Muslims Together

🔗 Connect & Learn More:

🇮🇷 Learn more about Hear4Iran

📱 Follow us on Instagram

🙏 Support the persecuted church.

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube

#IranianChurch #UndergroundChristianity #TraumaHealing #DiasporaMissions #HonorShame

What is the historical link between the ancient Persian Empire and modern China, and how is it shaping the future of the global church today?

In this episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Eugene to uncover the fascinating parallels between two of the world's fastest-growing underground church movements. From the role of media in bypassing censorship to the fearless leadership of women and ethnic minorities, this conversation reveals the untold stories of resilience in the face of persecution.

We dive deep into how the Gospel is transforming hearts across the Silk Road and why collaboration in global missions is more critical now than ever before.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

1. The Underground Connection: Comparing the house church explosions in Iran and China.

2. Historical Roots: Tracing the ancient spiritual ties between Persian and Chinese civilizations.

3. Digital Discipleship: How media is being used as a tool for evangelism in closed countries.

4. Breaking Barriers: How women and ethnic minorities are leading the charge in the Iranian church.

5. Heart Transformation: Moving beyond religion to true spiritual renewal through Jesus Christ.

🔗 Connect & Learn More:

1. Learn more about our mission at hear4iran.com

2. Follow along on Instagram

3. Subscribe on YouTube

In this insightful episode, we speak with an Iranian Christian mother who, though she left Iran at a young age, has stayed deeply connected to the struggles of women in her homeland. Now living in the U.S. and working for a Christian organization, she offers valuable commentary on the social, economic, and spiritual challenges Iranian women face today. From navigating a repressive regime to seeking spiritual freedom, she shares a unique perspective on the resilience and courage of these women, as well as how faith is offering hope in the midst of oppression. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, freedom, and women’s rights in Iran. 

This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as we do. We would love to connect with you! Please reach out with any questions, comments or prayer requests! 

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Phone: 330-983-5001 

🖥️ Website: heart4Iran.com 

📲 Social Media: @heart4Iran 

Can artificial intelligence be a tool for spreading the Gospel in countries where access to the message of Jesus is restricted? In this episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast, we explore groundbreaking technological approaches to ministry, focusing on how they're reaching the next generation in Iran, Afghanistan, and the surrounding region. Join Gillian as she sits down with Dr. Mike Ansari, President and CEO of Heart4Iran, to discuss the urgent need for nurturing strong Christian leaders in the Middle East and how Mohabat TV is making a powerful impact.

Dive into the powerful and inspiring stories from the underground church movement and witness the resilience of Christians facing persecution in Iran and Afghanistan. Each new episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast brings you powerful conversations with our dedicated partners and friends who share our unwavering passion and calling for this vital mission. Together, we'll explore the incredible growth and challenges of the Christian movement in these regions. 

Want to learn more about the remarkable move of God happening in Iran and beyond? Visit us at www.heart4iran.com or connect with us via email at [email protected]. Join us on this journey of faith, hope, and transformation.

What does it take to put a healthy church within walking distance of everyone in the world? In this episode, we take an inside look at the incredible work being done by ICM to expand the global church. Join us as we chat with Tarin Riley, a dear friend and ministry partner, about her journey and calling, ICM's mission and vision, and how Heart4Iran and ICM are working together to bring the message of hope, life, and love to Iran, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Dive into the powerful and inspiring stories from the underground church movement and witness the resilience of Christians facing persecution in Iran and Afghanistan. Each new episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast brings you powerful conversations with our dedicated partners and friends who share our unwavering passion and calling for this vital mission. Together, we'll explore the incredible growth and challenges of the Christian movement in these regions. 

Want to learn more about the remarkable move of God happening in Iran and beyond? Visit us at www.heart4iran.com or connect with us via email at [email protected]. Join us on this journey of faith, hope, and transformation.

The underground church in Iran is facing persecution like never before. In this episode, we provide current reports on the situations in Iran and address the key questions: What should our response be, and how is the Lord moving amidst these challenges? Joining Gillian is Dr. Mike Ansari, President and CEO of Heart4Iran, to share the latest news from inside Iran.

This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as we do. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT HAPPENING IN IRAN AND BEYOND? Visit our website at www.heart4iran.com or reach out via email at [email protected]

Iranian children are in such desperate need of the hope and life that is only found in Jesus. On this episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast, we embark on a captivating journey through the heart of the Superbook program, where faith, education, and culture converge. In this episode, we delve into the unique world of Superbook's Farsi translation and distribution, shedding light on the remarkable impact it's having on Iranian children.

This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as we do. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT HAPPENING IN IRAN AND BEYOND? Visit our website at www.heart4iran.com or reach out via email at [email protected]

God meets us in our vulnerability and our weakness - when we are weak, He is strong. On this episode of IMPACT32 we get to hear from the President and CEO of the MENA Leadership Center, Dr. Jenn Murff, as she shares her powerful story of her miraculous healing journey and how the Lord met he in her darkest moments.

This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as we do.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT HAPPENING IN IRAN AND BEYOND? Visit our website at www.heart4iran.com or reach out via email at [email protected]

How can Iranian mothers foster a supportive and nurturing environment for their children when the Islamic regime has so much control over each household? On this episode of IMPACT32 we get to speak with two Iranian mothers on the values and principles that guide Iranian families and the challenges and differences they’ve experienced in raising their children in the United States with strong Christian values. 

This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as we do.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT HAPPENING IN IRAN AND BEYOND? Visit our website at www.heart4iran.com or reach out via email at [email protected]