Over the past couple days I have shared about Radicals and Reformers in the Middle East, using speeches at the UN General Assembly as examples.  But today we’re heading in a new direction!  I want you to hear the stories and testimonies of Revivalists in the Middle East who are having an incredible impact on their people…including leading hundreds of thousands of Muslims to the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

But first, let’s review our definitions of Radicals, Reformers, and Revivalists.  These are characteristics of activist groups in the Middle East, and we’ve borrowed the definitions from Joel Rosenberg’s Inside the Revolution.  (A very good read, by the way!)

• Radicals: “Islam is the answer, jihad is the way.”
• Reformers: “Islam is the answer, but jihad is not the way.”
• Revivalists: “Islam is not the answer, and jihad is not the way.  Jesus is the way.”

One such Revivalist is Hormoz Shariat, known as “the Billy Graham of the Middle East.”  Hormoz is the founder of Iran Alive Ministries which broadcasts evangelistic messages of the Gospel of Jesus Christ across Middle East airwaves.  In Iran alone, 55 million people have access to satellite TV and an astounding 3-6 million at any one time are tuned into Iran Alive!  24-hour broadcasts reach not only the Middle East, but North Africa and Europe as well.  This is a powerful ministry!

But who is this “Billy Graham of the Middle East?”  Hormoz Shariat was born and grew up in Iran where he faced great tribulations.  For example, his 16-year-old brother, Hamraz, was arrested for a minor political offense and was killed by a firing squad after spending two years in jail.

Hormoz was a follower of the Shah of Iran when the Shah was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution in 1979, thus Hormoz left Iran to pursue his dream of getting a graduate degree in America.  He struggled with his brother’s death and desperately sought for truth in the Qur’an.  Finding none, he turned to the Bible.  A year later he committed his life to Jesus Christ, and ultimately sensed that the best way to cope with his brother’s horrible death was to tell others about the love of Jesus.  An extremely cheerful man, Hormoz loves to talk about Jesus.  Take a few minutes to hear his testimony:

Shariat is the uncle of a young woman named Naghmeh…the wife of now Iranian prisoner, Saeed Abedini.  Saeed is currently imprisoned for preaching the Gospel in Iran, and refusing to disavow his faith in Christ.  Years before, Hormoz led Naghmeh to Christ.  (Join millions of other in praying for Saeed’s release.)

Hormoz, Saeed, and Naghmeh are Revivalists!  Formerly Muslims from Iran, they have given their lives to Jesus and are spreading the Gospel all over the world.  Check out this exciting 3-minute video about the unbelievable things going on through the ministry of Iran Alive:

Hormoz Shariat has been used by God to share the Gospel with millions across the Middle East, and believe it or not, there are over 2 million Christians in Iran!  Though the Iranian regime is Radical and hell-bent on bringing chaos that will usher in the “Islamic messiah,” Revivalists in Iran are spreading the truth about the One True Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, and droves are coming to know Him!

Believers, we truly serve a miracle-working God who desires that none should perish!  Let’s pray for Revivalists as they minister in a dark land!

Come back tomorrow, friends, because I want you to meet a Palestinian man, born in Gaza, whose story will astound you!  He is also a Revivalist, now ministering the love of Jesus in the Middle East!  Don’t miss this incredible story!