As tensions escalate across Iran and the Middle East, evangelist Benny Hinn believes something far greater than geopolitical conflict is unfolding.
“A change is happening, and it’s happening faster than most of us even expected it to happen,” Hinn said during a recent broadcast, speaking alongside Ellie Royal, a member of his Dallas staff who was born and raised in Iran.
Royal, who came to Christ 13 years ago in Iran, shared her powerful testimony of salvation in a nation where publicly proclaiming Jesus as Lord can be dangerous.
“It is a crime to mention the name of Jesus as God,” Royal explained. “Muslims know Jesus as a prophet… but they don’t know Jesus as the Lord and Savior.”
Her encounter with Christ came unexpectedly through a woman who prayed for her.
“As soon as she prayed over me… I felt that electricity,” Royal recalled. “When I opened my eyes, all I wanted to know is what does she have that I don’t have… that feeling, that peace… because that doesn’t exist in Islam.”
That same day, she prayed the salvation prayer and gave her life to Jesus.
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Today, she says revival is sweeping through her homeland.
“The fastest growing church is in Iran,” Royal declared. “It’s like fruits falling off that tree. Over 5 million people… now know the Lord Jesus inside Iran.”
Hinn confirmed he has heard similar reports through various ministries and leaders. “I’ve been hearing over and over… about the amazing move of God,” he said.
Despite the lack of traditional church buildings, underground house churches continue to flourish.
Hinn shared his deep love for the Iranian people, recounting a moment decades ago when an Iranian church leader traveled from Tehran to Australia to correct him after he mistakenly said there were no Christians in Iran.
“He looked at me and he said, ‘They just killed my brother… I am now the leader of the church in Iran. Please, please don’t ever say again that Christianity doesn’t exist,’” Hinn recalled. “I was so moved.”
Now, amid political upheaval, Hinn believes a prophetic shift may be underway.
“I want you to pray that I will go to Tehran this year,” Hinn said. “Can we believe God it’s going to happen this year that I will go and preach? I just want to believe God that this is the year that God will open.”
For Hinn, the goal to preach in Tehran is one with eternal weight.
“Lord, I do pray and I’m asking this with all my heart that I will go to Tehran this year, that Your will will be that I’ll go this year…I thank You that I will go before you take me home in Jesus name,” Hinn prayed.
If revival truly is sweeping Iran, then the question is no longer if God is moving — but how soon the world will see what heaven has already begun.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
