From CBN News
An Iranian Christian who was shot for standing up to his oppressors is still in the fight.
He has fled to neighbouring Armenia from where he and other Iranian believers hope to return home, if the Islamic regime falls.
Their mission is to bring faith, hope, and a message of change to their people.
That is the message of the Gospel and Jesus.
‘THERE WAS AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON MY LIFE”
When Abtin raises his arm, his scars can be clearly seen as a lasting reminder of the day he says Iranian security forces opened fire.
“There was an assassination attempt on my life.”
“I was on the streets with others protesting against the regime,” he recalled.
Suddenly, a shotgun blast tore into his arm.
“This is the result: After four surgeries, it looks like this,” Abtin explained while showing his scars to CBN News’ Senior International Correspondent George Thomas.
“THE PROTESTS WERE NEVER JUST ABOUT PETROL PRICES”
Thousands had taken to the streets in early January, angry over rising petrol prices — but also over what they saw as years of corruption and inequality.
“We were protesting the oppression and discrimination that existed in society by a handful of oligarchs who, for decades, took all the wealth of the country into their hands and did nothing for us,” said Abtin.
“They don’t care about people’s pain and suffering”
Thousands died in the mass shooting of protestors. Some reports put the toll in the tens of thousands.
London-based Persian language satellite broadcaster and multilingual digital news operation Iran International reported it was as high as 36,500.
IRANIAN FUGITIVE FINDS REFUGE IN CHURCH
Abtin fled to Armenia and found refuge in a small Iranian church.
“I was in a bad mental state when I came to Armenia, and the only place that could give me that peace during this time was this church.”
Pastor Omid told CBN News that Naioth Church is about more than worship. It’s a place of preparation.
“The people of Iran need salvation even more than they need civil liberties and freedoms in their country,” he observed.
“EXILED IRANIANS NEED SALVATION”
“They need the salvation that comes through knowing Jesus Christ,” declared Pastor Omid.
“The freedoms and comforts of this world are temporary and limited, but He is eternal.”
“That is why we are preparing these people, both those here in the Bible school and those we have in Iran in the house churches, so that when the day comes that Iran is liberated, they can return and preach the Gospel,” the pastor explained.
Many Iranian believers in Armenia say they are praying that political change will one day let them return home.
ARMENIAN CHRISITIANS STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH iRANIANS
Armenian Christians are also preparing to support that vision.
For several years now, they have moved near the border fence that divides Iran from Armenia, seeing it as a very strategic part of their country.
They believe that this is the moment they’ve been praying for, for such a long time, that the Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit will continue to move across the nation of Iran.
ARMENIAN MISSIONARIES SHARE GOSPEL IN IRAN
Dr. Jacob Pursley mentors Armenian Christians serving along the border.
“Since we started the ministry there about six years ago, we’ve been raising up a church in the region, that’s a missional church.”
“Instead of going to Iran just to shop for goods, they go there to bring the love of Jesus.”
“They are able to go there, make relationships with people in Iran, and as Armenians, they are accepted there.”
“They have a huge openness, and this is something a Westerner could not do,” he explained.
IRANIAN FUGITIVE HOPES TO RETURN HOME AS A MESSENGER OF JESUS
Abtin also hopes to return home, not as a protester, but as a messenger of faith.
“I am glad this happened to me, because I believe it was worth it,” he admitted.
“It was part of the struggle for my people and for their freedom and nothing could be more important than that.”
“We are fighting for freedom, for a normal life, for prosperity, for security.”
“The most obvious things that every human being needs in life.”
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