Thirty-two years ago this month Americans were taken hostage when Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. That was the start of an Islamic revolution that not only brought Sharia law to the country, but also one of the fastest growing house church movements in the world today. Disillusioned with Islam, more Iranians are now embracing Christianity than perhaps at any other time since the Muslim invasion of Persia in the 7th century. Crackdown on Christians A massive government crackdown against Christians has led to the imprisonment of many believers and the threatened execution of a pastor. At least 285 Christians in 35 cities were arrested in Iran during the second half of 2010. Many have spent weeks, and even months in prison, often serving long stretches in solitary confinement. They also have endured interrogations and psychological abuse. Iranian Pastor Hormoz Shariat of Iran Alive Ministries, formerly International Antioch Ministries, hosts a satellite television show that is broadcast into Iran. Shariat said most often the Iranian Revolutionary Guards arrest you and don’t even tell their family. “They can’t have a lawyer, not even a formal charge,” Shariat said. “Sometimes they get killed without even a formal charge.” MORE
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