Christians urged to prepare for ‘historic opportunity’ to place Bibles in Iran
NEWS SOURCE: A. Larry Communications
FORT WORTH, TX – Christians should begin preparing now for what could become a historic opportunity to send Bibles into Iran, the leader of a global Bible distribution ministry has said.
Many believers in Iran read the Bible in secret — relying on underground churches and shared copies because openly distributing Persian-language Scripture can carry serious risks.
Dirk Smith, Vice President of Bible distribution ministry EEM, which gives out more than two million Bibles and Bible-based materials a year into Eastern Europe and neighbouring regions, said Christians should not wait until circumstances change before acting.
“We cannot wait for that moment and then start deciding what to do,” he said. “The Bible already exists in the languages many Iranian people can read, but if the door opens, the need could be far greater than anything we have seen before. We want to be ready to respond at the scale that moment may require.”
EEM says any shift in Iran could create a rare and historic opening for millions of people who have lived for decades with severe restrictions on access to Scripture.
The ministry has already produced almost 90,000 Bibles for different age groups in the main languages spoken in Iran and is actively engaged in Bible publication for Iranian and Persian-speaking diaspora communities.
That includes printing the first-ever Gilaki New Testament for people in northern Iran who have never had the New Testament in their own language, alongside Farsi Bibles and New Testaments for refugees and displaced people from the region. If new opportunities arise, much larger quantities of Scripture may be needed quickly, along with additional resources such as Bibles and Scripture materials for children.
Smith said that if peace comes and greater freedom follows, Iran could see an opportunity unlike anything in its modern history.
“For generations many Iranians have lived with severe restrictions on access to the Bible,” he said. “If greater openness comes, even briefly, the opportunity for people to encounter God’s Word could be extraordinary.”
As military operations continue in Iran, the ministry is also calling on Christians worldwide to pray for peace and protection in Iran, while recognizing that moments of upheaval can sometimes create unexpected evangelism opportunities.
Part of EEM’s work with Iranian language communities has been carried out alongside Transform Iran, a ministry focused specifically on reaching Iranians with the Gospel and strengthening believers inside the country. Transform Iran uses television, radio and digital media in Iran, while also investing in Bible translation so that different ethnic and language communities can encounter Scripture in their own language.
Bart Rybinski, Vice President of EEM European Operations, added: “Our first response must be prayer. This is a dangerous and deeply uncertain moment for the people of Iran, and we are asking Christians everywhere to pray for peace, for protection, and for the Lord to move powerfully in the midst of crisis. But we also have to be ready. If a door opens for more people in Iran to receive the Bible, we must be prepared to respond without delay.”
Founded in 1961, EEM has spent more than six decades publishing and distributing Scripture in hard places. What began with smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain has grown into a ministry serving more than 36 countries in more than 32 languages. Today, that includes continuing Bible distribution in war-torn Ukraine, giving the ministry direct experience of supplying Scripture in the middle of conflict and instability.
To learn more, visit: www.eem.org
About EEM
EEM was established in 1961 to provide Bibles and Bible-based materials throughout the former communist bloc countries in Eastern Europe. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Bible activity books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching more than 36 countries in 32 different languages. Last year, the ministry distributed more than 2 million Bibles and biblical resources free of charge. EEM is an accredited member of ECFA.