Sam, who traveled up from Gloucester, and Bishop Guli
On 14 June, the Persian Anglican Network Conference brought together people from across the UK to talk about faith, leadership, and welcoming and helping Persian Christians in the Anglican Church. It was supported by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani and the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit.
Eight people went from Gloucester and Cheltenham churches.
The conference included worship in English and Farsi, group discussions, a traditional Persian lunch and a book fair.
Zahra and Sam were two of the attendees from Gloucester who travelled up to St Stephen with St Paul’s Church in Nottingham for the conference.
Sam said: “It was so exciting to meet others from all over the UK. They were from different places in Iran, but also travelled from far away places like Glasgow, Newcastle and Brighton.
“It was great to meet Bishop Guli too. She gave a speech and it was very moving.” Bishop Guli was born in Iran, and left the country in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.
Zahra said: “We met other Iranian Christians at the conference, some had believed in Jesus for many years, and others for a short time. We understood each-other’s feelings perfectly. We discussed freedom and Christianity, and we all shared the same hope: peace and friendship for the whole world.”
Ivan was one of the attendees from St Matthew’s and The Minster Cheltenham. He works closely with the Persian community there through a discipleship programme called Al Massira, which helps people from non-Christian backgrounds to learn about Jesus.
Ivan said: “I have been attending St Matthew’s and The Minster for just under three years. In that time I have seen an increase in Persian people coming to church. Some have been baptised, and many are growing in their faith. I’ve made great friendships with them.”
The conference gave the opportunity for attendees such as Ivan to meet other Persian Christians and leaders.
He said: “It was great to meet lots of different people and learn about what is happening in other churches in the UK. I believe that around 55% of the people there were Iranian, and I was really encouraged by this. There were so many Persian people who were leading and sharing their own faith stories. I believe God is doing something special among Persian people.
“In the last 10 years, the Persian Christian community has grown, not just in the UK but around the world. The Church needs to be ready to welcome them, to help them grow, and support new leaders. The conference had that in mind, thinking about how to develop leaders within the Iranian communities that are coming to Anglican churches.”
Ivan is originally from Iraq, and he became a Christian over 25 years ago in the UK. He now helps others who are going through a similar experience.
He said: “I try to help them understand the challenges that they might have as Christians from a different background. I know a bit about what it means to be someone who follows Christ from a place with a different religion and way of living. Persian culture is very community-based. Many Persians who are new to church feel alone and they might have difficulty communicating.
“Friendship and welcome matter so much. Just inviting someone in for a cup of tea can mean a lot.”
At St Matthew’s and The Minster, they offer translated sermon notes in Farsi in their morning service. They also encourage the whole church to be welcoming and supportive.
He said: “We try to help people grow in faith, and understand what it means to follow Jesus. There can be opposition for new believers, even here in the UK. Some fear that word might reach their family or community back home. They can face rejection, threats and persecution. That’s why it’s so important that we walk alongside them.
“Even if someone doesn’t speak much English, being friendly can still make them feel part of the community. Be open, make people feel at home. That’s how we show the love of Jesus.”
One thought on ““I believe God is doing something special among Persian people””
What an encouraging article. It broadens awareness of what God is doing in the church, and the world – and the world church. But with the excellent address by the Bishop of Chelmsford which accompanies it, there is also encouragement to expand the task of discipleship training in all our churches, not just those who already have some contact with Persian Christians. The way Bishop Guli opens up the challenge of what it means to be both Persian and Christian raises parallel questions about how it is possible to be authentically Christian within contemporary British culture?
The conference gave the opportunity for attendees such as Ivan to meet other Persian Christians and leaders.
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What an encouraging article. It broadens awareness of what God is doing in the church, and the world – and the world church. But with the excellent address by the Bishop of Chelmsford which accompanies it, there is also encouragement to expand the task of discipleship training in all our churches, not just those who already have some contact with Persian Christians. The way Bishop Guli opens up the challenge of what it means to be both Persian and Christian raises parallel questions about how it is possible to be authentically Christian within contemporary British culture?