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VOMRadio

IRAN: "If you are a believer, you can't not share!"

VOMRadio

The Voice of the Martyrs

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 23 May 2026

⏱️ 25 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in Iran are not shying away from being bold for Christ with their family and friends—even as a war is going on around them. This week, you'll meet Sister Benesh, a bold evangelist and house church planter in Iran. In her first five years following Christ, she planted more than 30 house churches. Inside the Islamic Republic of Iran!

Benesh grew up in a Muslim home, but over time, she began to question many aspects of Islamic teaching. As a teenager, she remembers hearing some women talking about the fact that Christian women—without the oppressive restrictions of Islam—were more free than Muslim women. Benesh became curious to know more about Christianity and the peace and love Jesus offers.

Benesh's father became very sick while she was in college. Her mother prayed repeatedly to Allah to heal him, but it didn't work. Benesh's father died. Shortly after, her mother died too. Her grief at the loss of her parents pushed Benesh even further to seek answers about Christ. First, she looked online. Then, after moving to a bigger city for employment, a coworker invited her to a church meeting. Experiencing Christian worship and fellowship for the first time, Benesh knew Jesus was calling her to put her faith and trust in Him.

Despite her parents' death, Benesh had peace from God—a peace that shocked her sister and other family members. Many were curious why she was different, which gave her open doors to share Jesus. At first, Benesh feared what her family or others would say or do if she shared Christ with them, but she quickly overcame that fear when she realized how hungry Iranians are for the truth.

Sharing your faith can be dangerous in Islamic countries, but Benesh was so focused on sharing the joy she'd found in Christ that she almost forgot about the threat of the Islamic regime and Revolutionary Guards! Listen as Benesh tells how we can pray for her ministry, for the Iranian regime, and for bold witnesses for Christ in the Middle East—and as she challenges every Christian to tell others about Jesus!

The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, China and India, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Do you ever get nervous when you're about to share your faith in Jesus with someone?

0:05.3

Our sister Banesh lives in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Banesh has good reason to be cautious

0:12.1

about sharing her faith. She could go to jail, but she boldly does it anyway. That person that I

0:20.2

want to share Christ with maybe is working with the police.

0:23.6

We have hidden secret police, so sharing the gospel with secret police would be very dangerous.

0:30.6

As you know, the situation for Christian in Iran is so dangerous.

0:35.6

The leaders, they have a face, they are real people,

0:40.0

and we need you to pray. We feel good that there are people praying for us and care about us.

0:46.4

Jesus never promised his followers an easy path. In fact, he told his disciples that the world

0:53.7

would hate them. He sent them out

0:55.8

as sheep among wolves. Jesus' words came true in the life of the apostles, and they're still

1:01.5

coming true today in the lives of his followers around the world. Join host Todd Nettleton

1:06.3

as we hear their inspiring stories and learn how we can help right now on the Voice of the Martyrs

1:11.4

Radio network. Welcome back to the Voice of the Martyrs Radio. My name is Todd Nettleton. I know

1:16.6

many of our Voice of the Martyrs radio listeners are prayer warriors. And you have been praying

1:22.2

for the nation of Iran, for the people there, for peace, and especially for our Christian brothers and sisters in Iran right now.

1:30.7

Over the years, we've had the opportunity here on V-OM radio to get to know several guests from

1:36.4

Iran. And I thought of many of them and other Iranian Christians that I have met and interviewed

1:42.7

when the bombs began to fall in Tehran

1:46.0

earlier this year.

1:48.0

One of those people that I thought about was Sister Banesh.

1:51.0

She has been an incredible witness and church planter inside Iran.

...

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