by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
TEHRAN/BAGHDAD (Worthy News) – American churches and mission groups are preparing to bring millions of Bibles and other Christian literature into Iran despite the ongoing war in the region, Christians familiar with the plans say.
Believers inside the Islamic Republic are continuing to gather and pray, even as airstrikes and instability increase risks, according to those in contact with local Christians.
“They’re still gathering, and they’re still praying,” said Patrick Klein, president of Vision Beyond Borders. “They are more cautious now and staying closer to home if they can,” Klein told the U.S.-based Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
Klein said his group is working to distribute Bibles and support underground believers, including through cross-border efforts and coordination with partners near Iran. He recently met with a team in Armenia near the Iranian border to pray and prepare for future access.
Iran, a Muslim-majority nation of more than 85 million people, is believed to have several hundred thousand Christians, many of them converts who practice their faith in house churches.
MISSIONS PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE OPENING
Mission leaders say they are preparing for a potential opportunity to expand Bible distribution if conditions change.
Dirk Smith of Eastern European Mission said his group is ready to send large shipments of Farsi-language Bibles, including editions for children and teenagers.
“Our prayer is that we’re ready,” he said, expressing hope for a breakthrough similar to the fall of the Berlin Wall, when large-scale Bible distribution became possible in former Soviet territories.
Some Christians caution that escalating violence could make such efforts more dangerous, but others insist the risks should not deter outreach. “How is something too risky?” Smith wondered. “Is it ever too risky to share the gospel of Jesus with someone?”
CHRISTIANS URGED TO PRAY FOR IRAN
Klein urged Christians worldwide to pray for greater religious freedom in Iran, where converts can face arrest and imprisonment.
He recalled encounters with Iranians receiving Bibles, describing their gratitude for access to Christian scripture.
“We believe God is going to change Iran,” Klein stresses. “And I believe it’s going to affect the whole Islamic world.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Senate Democrats on March 26 unanimously rejected a Republican-backed amendment to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act that would have required voters to present photo identification to cast a ballot, marking another flashpoint in the ongoing debate over election integrity.
Senate Republicans are urging Donald Trump to consider declaring a national emergency to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are paid, as a funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) threatens to disrupt travel during the busy spring holiday season, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is now actively focused on “dismantling Hezbollah” as part of its broader campaign against Iran, declaring the military effort remains “in full swing” despite reports suggesting otherwise.
Meta and YouTube are appealing a $6 million-plus ruling that held them liable for social media addiction.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is extending a temporary halt on U.S. strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure by an additional 10 days, signaling a continued window for diplomacy amid an escalating conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a forceful message during a cabinet meeting this week, declaring that Iran is at its “weakest point” even as its leadership continues aggressive actions across the region.
American churches and mission groups are preparing to bring millions of Bibles and other Christian literature into Iran despite the ongoing war in the region, Christians familiar with the plans say.