Iranian Christians listen to a seminar given by Joshua Youssef (top row, second from left), CEO of Help The Persecuted
In regions where openly practicing Christianity can lead to imprisonment or worse, technology has become a lifeline for believers.
In 2020, our Field Minister Qasem, who was forced to flee Iran after spending three years in prison for his faith, started a digital ministry to reach those who might otherwise have no access to Christian teaching or fellowship in Iran. He named the ministry "Pedaraneh," a Persian word that means love of the Father.
Pedaraneh's predominantly online outreach to Persian speakers in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Cyprus, and beyond offers a safe way for isolated Christians to connect with the global body of Christ.
An Expanding Digital Presence
What began five years ago with online worship and prayer meetings has expanded significantly. Every week, people come to faith through the ministry's many digital outreaches, and persecuted Christians receive the discipleship they desperately need.
Women gather together as a part of Pedaraneh's online minsitry
Today, Pedaraneh's online presence includes:
- Women's Ministry
- Men's Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Afghan Ministry
- Addiction recovery programs
- Digital discipleship resources
- Support for home churches in Iran
- Rejection Healing courses—helping believers restore their hearts after being rejected by family and society
Pedaraneh's ministry also focuses on some of the needs of the most vulnerable Christians in the region, including supporting persecuted families with disabled children, aiding believers in Afghanistan facing extreme persecution, and providing resources for youth who often face rejection from their own parents.
For believers like Fatemeh, these resources are transformative. Though her husband's physical abuse eventually stopped, her heart remained wounded and unable to forgive. With no safe church community, her faith journey was solitary—until she connected with Pedaraneh's resources.
"I thank God that after the seminar and through prayers of the servants, something miraculous happened...I was finally able to forgive him! This not only brought healing to my heart but improved our relationship in ways I never imagined."
—Fatemah, Iran
Another believer named Anousheh shared how Pedaraneh has impacted her, describing how after nine years of walking with Christ with fears and worries in her heart, she found strength and hope in the Lord:
"I gave my heart to Jesus Christ nearly nine years ago. It has been a journey filled with many hardships. My husband struggled with severe addiction, and about three years ago, he left me and our child, abandoning us completely. I carried many fears and worries, not knowing what the future would hold.
"I was a member of an online church, but two years ago, their meetings were canceled, and they never reached out to me again. In my city, I did not know any in-person or house churches, and for two years, I was not connected to any church community. Every time I joined an online fellowship, I received no spiritual blessing—either the teachings were incorrect, or they were leading people in the wrong direction.
"Then, by God’s providence, I came across Pedaraneh online. I started attending the church meetings, and I truly received God’s blessings. For a long time, I had lost the desire to read the Word and felt completely hopeless. My fears overwhelmed me, and there were even times when I questioned why I was alive.
"But praise God, the church gatherings at Pedaraneh helped me to be renewed through the Word of God. I have once again received strength and hope in Christ, and I am grateful for how God has restored me through this fellowship."
—Anousheh, Iran
Beyond the Screen: PEDARANEH CONFERENCES
While most of Pedaraneh's ministry happens online, Qasem and our Pedaraneh team also host in-person Enduring Faith Conferences at our brand-new Ministry Training Center in Turkey. For many Persian-speaking believers, attending these conferences marks the first time they have ever experienced in-person fellowship with other Christians. In 2024, a group of believers flew in from Iran and celebrated Christmas for the first time in their lives!
These gatherings provide opportunities for Bible study, worship, and even baptism—experiences that would be life-threatening in their home countries.
The Ministry Training Center also makes it possible for Qasem to host Christian leaders from the Persian-speaking world, providing fellowship, encouragement, and training as they disciple hundreds of Christians in some of the most hostile places in the world to profess faith in Christ.
Covert Operations: Bible Distribution
Beyond its digital presence and conferences, Pedaraneh provides physical copies of Scripture to new believers in areas where possession is highly illegal. Many converts are desperate to get their own copy of the Bible—but have no way to purchase one.
Pedaraneh coordinates several highly secretive Bible distribution teams who go into dangerous regions to give Bibles to Christians longing for the Word of God. Your support makes these risky but critical operations possible.
Bibles about to be distributed by our teams. Please pray for the recipients!
Future INITIATIVES
We are grateful for how God has blessed the ministry of Pedaraneh in so many ways—helping countless believers facing life-threatening persecution "taste and see that the Lord is good." There are many volunteers who make the work possible, and the ministry is entirely funded through the generous donations of people like you!
With your continued support, Pedaraneh hopes to expand its digital outreach in the coming year in several ways:
- Podcasts covering current topics and Christian history
- Teaching videos to support the rejection healing courses
- Enhanced online resources for covert house churches
- Digital Bible study materials in Farsi and Dari
Right now, countless believers in Iran long for deeper discipleship and connection to the global Christian community. Your support can help Pedaraneh reach even more isolated believers, reminding them that regardless of how hostile their country is to Christ, there are no boundaries that the love of the Father cannot break through.
Through Pedaraneh's innovative use of technology, you're not just funding a ministry—you're providing a lifeline of hope for those who risk everything for their faith.
Will you bring the Father's love to those who need it most?