The Bold Faith of a Child in Iran

Even though she’s only 13, Sepideh* knows she won’t look back on her upbringing and think: “I had a good childhood.”

It seems like a harsh reality for someone so young to already know. But Sepideh lives in Iran and she’s a Christian.

And her father constantly threatens to report her to the police for her faith.

Raised in a Muslim family, Sepideh became a Christian through the testimony of her grandmother, who came to know Jesus despite tremendous challenges. “My mother was an addict,” recalls Neda*, Sepideh’s mother. “I was amazed by how meeting Jesus changed her life! I was intrigued to explore and see who this ‘Jesus’ is and to know more about this new faith that my mother decided to follow.” Inspired by her mother’s transformation, Neda embraced Christianity, seeking love, hope and peace. Sepideh joined her mother in following Jesus!

After their conversion, Neda and Sepideh joined a house church. There, they experienced a warmth and love they had never known. Sepideh, just 10 years old at the time, quickly grew in her faith. “I really liked learning the stories of the Bible,” Sepideh says. “I felt loved by God through each story. And when I prayed with other kids, I always felt good, unlike the prayers we do in school.” Iranian students all study the Quran and pray Islamic prayers at school, so Sepideh had learned these from an early age.

Persecution begins

For a year, Sepideh and her mother attended the house church in secret, finding joy, a loving community and spiritual growth.

However, their newfound faith in Jesus also brought danger. In Iran, converts to Christianity often face severe persecution from both the government and their communities. This can include harassment, arrests, interrogations, imprisonment and even death threats. Sepideh and Neda experienced this firsthand.

Sepideh’s father, a strict Muslim, was furious when he discovered that his daughter and wife were attending Christian meetings. “If you continue visiting those people, I’ll report you all,” he threatened. “I don’t want my wife and daughter to go to houses I don’t know. Just dare to test my anger!”

Unable to attend the house church, Neda and Sepideh turned to online meetings for spiritual support and growth. “The only real fellowship we had was our time with my mother and sister,” Neda shares. “When my husband wasn’t around, I could join the online meetings. My sisters in Christ were so far from me, but their prayers encouraged me to stay strong. That’s how I could give hope to my daughter as well.”

Sepideh’s father continued threatening his wife and daughter, “Even though Sepideh and I hid our faith and met with other Christians in secret, [my husband] knew that we had changed,” Neda says. “We were not like we were before. He continuously played the azan (the Islamic call to prayer) aloud at home, and many times he argued and fought with us about why we don’t do namaz (Islamic prayer) anymore. We gave different excuses every time until he eventually stopped taking on his responsibilities as a husband and father.”

Sepideh’s father stopped providing for her financial and emotional needs. “I had to work to provide for her and on special days like our birthdays, he was absent and did not join us,” Neda recalls.

A father’s presence and emotional support is meant to be a lifeline for his children, shaping their confidence, resilience and sense of self-worth in profound ways. But Sepideh found her confidence, resilience and self-worth in her heavenly Father who was there for her, even as her biological father neglected her.

Pressure at school

Sepideh’s challenges didn’t end at home. At school, she has to hide her Christian identity. Even though she’s a bright student, the school forces everyone to participate in Islamic rituals. Iran’s educational system imposes Islamic teachings and practices, making it extremely difficult for non-Muslim students to navigate their school life. This is particularly challenging for girls, who already face systemic barriers to their education.

“It’s very difficult to make friends, maybe because I cannot be who I really am,” Sepideh shares with a low and sad voice. “I’m afraid to talk about Jesus even to students who seem to be close with me.”

Neda is concerned about her daughter. “To be accepted in society is challenging” Neda worries. “I’m worried about her future.”

A temporary respite—and new challenges

Despite the pressure and loneliness, Sepideh and her mother still find strength in their faith. They managed to attend a Christian conference in another country under the guise of tourism. “After a long wait, I could finally spend a few days with Christian friends my age,” Sepideh remembers. “I was so happy! No more fear. We played together, read the Bible and worshiped aloud. I wish I could live those moments again and again.”

Both Sepideh and Neda were baptized during that conference, a significant milestone in their faith journeys. “After my baptism, I received renewed power from the Holy Spirit,” Neda reflects. “Now that I look back, I know that God was preparing me for a battle.”

Returning to Iran, they faced even harsher conditions. The Iranian regime is known for its severe restrictions on religious freedom, often targeting Christian converts with scrutiny and hostility.

On top of that, Sepideh’s father became even more hostile. He was staying out all night and using drugs. One night, he even accused Neda of infidelity. “It was difficult to see my daughter not receive any love or care from her father,” Neda confides. “Same for myself. I tried to love him and show him God’s love, even when he came back home drugged and beat me. Sepideh and I constantly pray for him.”

One night, after visiting a friend’s house, Sepideh and her mother came back home but they were locked out, Sepideh’s father didn’t want them back home anymore. “I was very afraid when my father was shouting at my mother at the door of our house,” Sepideh remembers. “I remember his words, telling us he doesn’t want us anymore. I felt frozen, I didn’t know what to do. I loved my father, but what could I do? He didn’t want me in his life anymore.”

Trials … and courage

This situation led to a court case, and now Neda and Sepideh are dealing with the uncertainty of their future. In the Islamic-Iranian society, single mothers face significant challenges. They often encounter societal views that diminish their autonomy and value. Women in general are perceived as less capable decision-makers and require permission from husbands or male relatives for basic activities such as going to the store. This lack of independence extends into marriage, where women may face pressure to conform to their husband's wishes, especially if they convert from Islam. Additionally, divorce can bring immense social stigma for women, who may be forced to return to their parents' homes, risking losing custody of their children. Not to mention the difficulty of finding a decent job as a single divorced woman.

“I don’t know what the court ruling will be,” Neda admits. “I can’t be too optimistic and I know that living as a single mom in our society will be very difficult. It will be hard for Sepideh too. However, I know that God sees and He knows. He has given me peace in my heart that He will protect and guide us, no matter what the results are.”

Even in the face of immense pressure and fear, Sepideh and her mother hold on to their faith in their Lord Jesus Christ. But it doesn’t stop Sepideh from asking the questions every child would ask if they were rejected by a parent. “Sometimes I wonder why my father changed a lot,” Sepideh ponders. “Why doesn’t he love me anymore? Just because I decided to love Jesus? Why?”

Yet, through everything she goes through, Sepideh is an encourager and a source of hope for Neda. “When I’m feeling down and hopeless, Sepideh encourages me a lot,” Neda shares with joy. “She reminds me, ‘We are daughters of God, Mom, and we shouldn’t forget that!’“

Sepideh’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of faith in the face of persecution. Despite the hardships, she continues to find hope and encouragement in Jesus, knowing that He will protect her and guide her through the darkest of days. Her life is an example of 1 Timothy 4:12-13: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Top image: representative

please pray

Pray for Sepideh and Neda. Pray that God continues to protect and strengthen them as they face persecution and uncertainty.
Pray that God will work wonders in Sepideh’s father’s life and draw him to Himself.
Ask for courage and peace to fill these women’s hearts, and for their faith to remain unshaken amidst the trials. May they find a supportive community and experience God’s unfailing love every day of their life.

give today

Today, will you give the gift of joy to a persecuted child?

Every PHP 1,500 can give Bibles to 10 children to help nurture their faith.

Every PHP 2,600 will help organize a Christmas Party for persecuted children.

Every PHP 5,000 can provide emergency, medical, and immediate help to Persecuted Christians this Christmas (shelter assistance, winter clothes, etc.)

GIVE A GIFT

The Bold Faith of a Child in Iran

Persecution begins

Pressure at school

Trials … and courage

Today, will you give the gift of joy to a persecuted child?

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