I Plant Secret House Churches Because I Was Saved into One

How an Iranian teenager found Christ and launched a mission to equip persecuted believers.

Church Planter NATHAN ROSTAMPOUR
I was raised in a Muslim family in Tehran, Iran. My mother, a teacher and principal, was devout in her Islamic faith and ensured I learned to read the Qur’an, pray, and fast during Ramadan. However, as a Muslim teenager, I was plagued with fears about my parents’ salvation, as my faith provided no assurance about the afterlife.

At 17, a relative who had become a Christian visited us and shared the gospel, declaring, "Jesus is Lord! And he has come to save us from our sins!" Her words, supported by Bible verses, resonated with me deeply. Contrary to what I had been taught, the Bible's power and truth felt undeniable. My mother, usually defensive about her beliefs, surprisingly listened peacefully and asked questions, influenced by our relative’s prayers for our family.

One statement from our relative profoundly impacted me: “Jesus can set you free from fear and save you from eternal death.” These words stirred something within me, leading me to pray privately, acknowledging Jesus as Lord and seeking His salvation. To my surprise, my mother was undergoing her own journey with Jesus. Eventually, my entire family, including my father and younger brother, embraced Christianity.

We soon connected with a secret house church in Tehran, where we grew in our faith despite the risks posed by the Islamic government. I deepened my walk with the Lord by attending Christian conferences and bringing back teachings on discipleship and church leadership to Iran. This journey of faith led me to flee Iran due to persecution, ultimately finding refuge and a supportive Christian community in the United States.

For the past 21 years, I have been involved in ministry for the persecuted church, planting house churches, and equipping Persian church leaders through social media. My wife and I host a weekly Christian fellowship on Instagram for Persian-speaking believers in secret house churches, reaching Muslims worldwide. This ministry has brought immense joy and a sense of purpose, freeing me from the fear of death and securing a future in the presence of God.
 

Discussion question: What can we learn from this story?
 Pray (aloud), asking God:

• Please protect followers of Jesus around the world.
• Please help us to be strong and follow Jesus.