Where Christianity is Growing Fastest

 If I were to ask you where Christianity is growing fastest in the world what would you say?  No, not the United States.  Most of us are aware that Christianity is declining in the U.S. as well as Britain and Europe.  Several years ago, the geographical centers for Christianity shifted to the southern hemisphere: South America, Africa and Asia. 

 But what country is experiencing the greatest growth in the Christian faith?  Would you be surprised if I said, Iran?  Well, so am I. But that is what the reports indicate.  In the last few years Christianity has grown  faster in Iran than in any other nation.

 Some of us remember 1979 when the Shah of Iran was deposed and the Ayatollah Khomeini set up a strict Islamic state in Iran.  For the last 44 years Islam has held a tight-fisted control of the country. But recently, while the world wasn’t watching, a surge of faith in Christ has taken place in Iran.  A little over two years ago Newsweek quoted Shay Katiri of Johns Hopkins University who wrote of Iran, “Islam is the fastest shrinking religion there while Christianity is growing the fastest.” 

 Iran appears to be experiencing what other nations have seen under persecution.  The Christian faith goes underground.  Small cells of believers begin to multiply without clergy or buildings.  A rapidly multiplying network of disciples starts to spread, much like the early Christian faith under Roman persecution. Some estimate a million new believers in Iran.  Others think the number could be far greater.

 At the same time, Iran remains one of the most brutal countries for persecution of Christians. According to Open Doors, that focuses on the persecuted church, “The outlook for Iranian Christians, in particular converts from Islam to Christianity, is by no means improving. Pressure remains extreme against Christians in all spheres of life.”

 Lela Gilbert, an adjunct fellow for the Center for Religious Freedom recently wrote, “As I’ve learned about the many abuses suffered by our sisters and brothers in Iran, I have also been awestruck by their courage and boldness — and by the remarkable results. More than a million new converts — called Muslim Background Believers (MBB) — are reading the Bible for the first time, praying, gathering in small groups, and sharing their new faith with friends and family, despite the risks. Their faith is amazing, encouraging, and inspiring.”

 As we celebrate this Christmas season, we all remember the Magi, the Shepherds, and the angels singing.  But we overlook the persecution that fell upon Bethlehem. “Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted because they were no more.’” (Matthew 2:16-18). 

 At this Christmas season when we freely, openly and joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us remember the millions of Christians world-wide who do not share this privilege.  While we attend our parties, concerts, family gatherings and gift-giving, let us pray for those who risk their freedom and their lives to embrace Jesus as their Savior.