Lazarus and Maggie Yeghnazar
We in the 222 family have so much that we are thankful from 2011, and Maggie and I would particularly like to express our appreciation to those of you who provide invaluable support and encouragement to us with your prayers and practical support. This is a journey we could not do without you and we pray that you may know God’s blessing in this season.
It is at this Christmas time that we remember Jesus, the baby laid in a humble manger in Bethlehem; but we remember also that He is now rightly seated as the King upon His throne. He showers the nations with His mercy and love and opens the eyes of millions to come to know Him both as the Son of Man, serving us as our Saviour, and as the Son of God, our eternal King!
At no time in their history, since the coming of Islam, has there been such a hunger amongst the Iranian people to know Christ as their Saviour. In the last three decades hundreds of thousands of Iranians have joyfully accepted Him as their Lord. The beauty of God’s amazing work is in how He has swept across Iran, touching not just major cities but also small towns and villages. Literate or illiterate, scholar or simple tribal folk, young or old, seemingly fanatical Islamic adherent or secular-minded Iranian, there has been no distinction as people from all these backgrounds have met Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We in 222 Ministries are greatly humbled to have been an instrument to share in this awesome transformation.
Did you know that today there is hardly any Iranian family who does not know someone, a close or even distant relative, who has not decided to become a follower of Christ? As a result hundreds, if not thousands, of house churches are now flourishing all over the country. Hundreds of emerging leaders have been trained to meet the growing needs of this vibrant, joyful, mission-minded church which has also experienced its own share of brutal persecution, yet has remained steadfast in its faith.
No less than seven key Ayatollahs, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, have publicly announced that they regard ‘Christian House Churches’ as a growing threat and a dangerous phenomenon that is destabilizing the Islamic regime! In the last 18 months over 130 people from the 222 family of churches have been arrested by the regime authorities. We rejoice that all these prisoners are now free. In the meantime some are in financial difficulties having lost jobs and businesses because of the action of the authorities. Maggie and I would particularly like to thank all of you who so faithfully pray and intercede for these dear brothers and sisters.
Vahik and Sona
As you will have seen in some of our earlier reports, Pastor Vahik had been imprisoned for a year, while Sona, his wife, along with Arash and Arezou were released after eight months. With God’s miraculous intervention, your prayers and help from concerned governments, both couples are now out of the country. Arash and Arezou were first to leave for Turkey while Vahik and Sona left later and are now in the Netherlands. Maggie and I have had the privilege of spending time with both couples. They speak so well of God’s grace and provision despite the great price they have paid; it is a wonderful privilege to see how joyful they are and how focused they are to continue serving those left behind.
Arash and Arezou
As I mentioned above the house churches continue to flourish and we are constantly challenged to provide the opportunities for discipling, mentoring and training that our emerging leaders need to meet the needs of these growing churches. In an ongoing cycle of development we take groups of 20 to spend time with other experienced leaders from 222’s ministry team, building relationships and growing their gifts, skills and faith so that they can go back to work out their calling to build God’s Kingdom in Iran and see many more brought to faith.
Despite some financial challenges, Maggie and I wholeheartedly thank our Father as we have been able to train nearly 500 leaders in 2011, through the generous giving of individuals, churches and Christian organisations. Our hope and prayer is that we will be able to train many more in 2012.
We are so thankful for your support for our people like Vahik and Sona, and Arash & Arezou and scores of other leaders like them scattered across 17 countries. They are passionate about seeing the message of Christmas, Christ’s love for a fallen world, brought to the Farsi-speaking peoples of Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Vahik and Sona have asked us to ask you if you would join with them in their journey of faith. As they celebrate their freedom they continue to stay in touch daily with those they have left behind, sensitive to the concerns that they face. Would you consider standing with them by:
• Praying: for those undergoing persecution, such as a young couple, P and F; for leaders of house churches, and; for training events.
• Making a donation towards: support of the persecuted, support of house church leaders, training a leader or sending Bibles and Christian resources to the churches in Iran.
Please go to this page to make your donation.
We consider it to be an amazing privilege to serve the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to your prayer and financial partnership that will allow us to accelerate the pace of this righteous endeavour.
In 222 Ministries we believe that God, in His sovereign timing, will give us the opportunity to return to Iran. We have been praying and planning to be best prepared for the time when the trumpets will sound. That time has come!
Lazarus and Maggie Yeghnazar
Overseeing Pastors and President
222 Ministries International
P.S. Our focus is on Iran, but we celebrate with all God’s people, may you know the blessing of Jesus Christ this Christmas – Hallelujah!. This is a link to what was a school computer project in an Eskimo village in Alaska!
