There is a church growing rapidly in one of the most unlikely places on earth—and you will never see its buildings, billboards, or worship services livestreamed online.
It is the underground church in Iran.
I have personally spent hours with these precious believers throughout the years, as many are so starved for teaching, discipleship, and encouragement that they frequently cross over the northern border with Iraq. I have worshiped with them, shared scripture together, and been marked by their zeal for the Lord.
While headlines often portray Iran only through the lenses of geopolitics, nuclear tensions, or unrest, a quieter and far more powerful story is unfolding beneath the surface: tens of thousands of Iranians are encountering Jesus Christ, often through dreams and visions, and choosing to follow Him at tremendous personal cost.
This is not Christianity as a cultural accessory. This is Christianity as a life-or-death decision.
A Church Forced Underground
In Iran, converting from Islam to Christianity is illegal and considered apostasy. House churches are raided. Pastors are imprisoned. Believers are interrogated, surveilled, and pressured to renounce their faith. Many lose their jobs, their families, and their freedom simply for confessing the name of Jesus.
And yet, the church is growing.
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With no legal buildings, no public evangelism, and no religious freedom, Iranian believers gather quietly in homes, basements, and secluded spaces—often changing locations weekly to avoid detection. Bibles are shared digitally, passed hand to hand, memorized, and treasured. Worship is whispered. Prayer is constant.
The book of Acts suddenly feels very modern.
“But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.”
— Acts 12:24
Why the Gospel Is Spreading
Many Iranian Christians testify that they came to faith not through missionaries or public preaching, but through supernatural encounters. Jesus is appearing in dreams and visions. People who had never read a Bible are waking up with an unshakable conviction that He is real—and that He is calling them by name.
This should not surprise us.
When the gospel is restricted, the Holy Spirit is not.
“In the last days… I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
— Joel 2:28
What is happening in Iran is not a Western export of Christianity—it is a sovereign move of God.
Many estimates now put the underground church in Iran to be well over 1 million strong!
The Cost of Following Jesus
For Iranian believers, baptism can mean imprisonment. A Bible can be treated as contraband. A prayer meeting can lead to years behind bars.
And yet they persist.
Why?
Because they have encountered a Jesus worth suffering for.
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
— Philippians 1:29
The persecuted church reminds us of something the comfortable church can forget: the gospel is not safe—but it is worth everything.
Our Responsibility as the Global Church
Scripture does not allow us the luxury of ignorance or distance.
“Remember those in prison as if you were together with them, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
— Hebrews 13:3
We may not be able to gather with Iranian believers—but we can stand with them. We can learn their story. We can pray. And prayer is not passive. Prayer is participation.
When we pray for the persecuted church, we are joining a global, spiritual fellowship that transcends borders, languages, and walls.
How We Can Pray for the Church in Iran
1. Pray for boldness.
That believers would continue to proclaim Jesus with courage and wisdom, even under threat.
“Enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.”
— Acts 4:29
2. Pray for protection.
Over house churches, leaders, evangelists, and new believers.
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble.”
— Psalm 32:7
3. Pray for endurance.
For those imprisoned or suffering not to lose heart.
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:17
4. Pray for supernatural revelation.
That Jesus would continue to reveal Himself through dreams, visions, and miracles.
“The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
— Acts 2:47
5. Pray for wise leadership.
For underground pastors to be filled with discernment, humility, and the Spirit of God.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”
— James 1:5
6. Pray for a harvest beyond Iran.
That Iranian believers would one day carry the gospel throughout the Middle East and the nations.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.”
— Psalm 126:5
A Final Word
The underground church in Iran does not ask for our pity. They ask for our prayers.
They are not weak—they are courageous. Not defeated—but advancing. Not forgotten—deeply seen by God.
May their faith awaken ours.
And may we never take lightly the name they risk everything to proclaim:
Jesus Christ, the Light no darkness can extinguish.
Sean Feucht is a speaker, author, missionary, artist, and activist who founded Burn 24-7, Light A Candle, Hold the Line, and Let Us Worship— global movements mobilizing worship, prayer, compassion, and civic engagement across six continents and hundreds of cities, with multiple Let Us Worship albums reaching number one on iTunes in Christian Worship and several topping all genres for multiple days. His work rallies churches and the next generation to pursue revival, bring hope to hard places, and stand for integrity in the public square through worship-centered initiatives, events, and resources. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Kate, and they have four children—Keturah, Malachi, Ezra, and Zion—and make their home while serving through national ministry travel.
