Around 70% of people in the Persian world are disillusioned with Islam, according to TWR’s Farsi ministry director. “They used to believe in Islam, but now they don’t believe in any religion.” 

Those who take a secular stance often risk imprisonment. One example is Amir,* a man who took great pride in opposing Islam. “For these beliefs, I was in prison for four years by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Amir said. 

But from within that same context of religious disillusionment, a spiritual hunger is growing. Amir is one of many Farsi speakers who kept searching until he heard the truth of Jesus.  

“I sinned, and God saw.

I spoke blasphemies, and God heard.

I behaved arrogantly, and God forgave me. 

“Then, through listening to Persian World Radio (PWR) [a ministry of TWR], I learned about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. To my surprise, God was still waiting for me to return, and over time, my heart began to find peace.” 

Farsi speakers are hearing and accepting God’s Word, often through innovative media platforms that protect their anonymity. Across much of the Farsi-speaking world, it’s illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity. Secure digital media spaces allow people to freely ask faith-related questions without giving away their identities. 

This edition of TWR’s Reach the Last series explores how TWR’s Farsi ministry continually innovates to share the unwavering truth of the gospel in relevant and culturally appropriate ways.  

The context

Globally, there are more than 48 million speakers of the Farsi language, as documented by Joshua Project. Although most live in Iran, significant populations of Farsi speakers reside in nations such as Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Germany. 

In Iran, conducting worship services and reading the Bible in Farsi are strictly forbidden, as noted by Open Doors. Even the printing, publication and distribution of Bibles in Farsi is illegal within Iran, a nation that adheres to Islamic law. Many Christians face intense oppression and either hide their faith or emigrate.   

Women have even more to contend with. In addition to their struggle to worship God freely, women also lack basic rights in society.  

Although Islam is the majority religion in Iran, at least on paper, there is a growing disillusionment with religion and a swing toward secularism. Yet, many Farsi speakers are looking for a sense of spiritual purpose. 

The next generation

TWR’s Farsi ministry is eager to meet the needs of the next generation. 

“People are becoming more receptive to the gospel and are curious about God,” the director said. “They are not looking for a religion but for a relationship with God.” 

The director can see a stark contrast between older and younger generations in Iranian society. The way media is consumed also varies between the young and old. While parents spend a lot of time in front of the TV, the youth are active on social media apps such as Instagram, Telegram and Clubhouse.  

Whatever the media platform, the ministry director wants Farsi speakers to have a chance to cultivate a relationship with Jesus rather than to simply follow a set of religious rules.  

“My concern for the new generation in Iran is that they may miss out on the experiences of support and community that we had. I hope that our programs can help revive these values, teaching the importance of being there for one another in person, not just through digital means. Our faith teaches us to think and choose, to seek wisdom and not to blindly follow rules – this is the essence of our message.” 

One message, many channels

TWR's Farsi ministry meets people where they are, in the places they go. Traditional radio, digital radio, podcasts, social media, video and even the metaverse (virtual and augmented reality spaces) are all channels for the gospel. 

The ministry’s dynamic team of young adults works within the broader Persian World Radio to create and produce content tailored to specific audiences. 

The team has been working hard on new initiatives. TWR has partnered with Transform Iran to create a Farsi-language audio Bible, which is available as a digital radio stream known as Persian Word of God Radio. To complement this, the team is also launching Persian Worship Radio, a 24-hour online worship radio stream that integrates traditional instruments from various regions.

To address the needs of Farsi-speaking women, TWR’s Women of Hope programs begin with uplifting music, often followed by personal testimonies. Listeners are encouraged to contact the team with questions or needs.  

Pand, meaning “wise words” in Farsi, is a collection of programs that continually evolve to meet the needs of listeners. Popular programs feature daily Bible teachings as well as teachings on marriage, family, discipleship, and raising children. 

One of the Pand programs, Time with Pastor Ivan, is an example of the way the Farsi team pushes the limits of creativity. Not only does Pastor Ivan teach biblical truths in each episode, but he also uses his gift of singing. 

Another exciting development is the SUNDAY app, designed to reach refugees and migrants who have moved to a European country and have questions about getting situated in their new home.  

The app is a cooperation between TWR partners: Norea Norway, Norea Sweden, Norea Denmark, Sansa (Finland), TWR Netherlands & Belgium and TWR Canada. It is now available in Farsi and more languages will be added. Users can access a wide range of information on society, culture, and language, seek answers to Bible-related questions, and locate contact details for local Farsi-speaking believers.

Through these and other media channels, Farsi speakers are finding true hope. While the media channels may change, the message remains the same.

Jade Alger, writer and communication specialist for TWR Europe and CAMENA.