Faith
Metro Station Honors Mary, Persecution Continues
Faith Facts
- Iran renamed a Tehran metro station “Holy Virgin Mary,” featuring Christian art near a major Armenian Christian cathedral.
- Christian converts, especially from Muslim backgrounds, still endure intense surveillance, secret worship, and risk of imprisonment.
- Public faith expression and church access remain restricted for most Christians, highlighting Iran’s contradiction between symbolism and reality.
The gesture of naming a Tehran train station after the Virgin Mary appears to promote religious harmony, but offers little comfort to Iran’s hidden Christian community.
On International Religious Freedom Day, we are reminded that true freedom is more than symbolic gestures; it’s about the right to live and worship openly, as God calls us to do.
In Iran, “peaceful coexistence” is extended only to ethnic minority Christians willing to accept severe restrictions, and converts from Islam are targeted for their faith.
Authorities have closed Persian-speaking churches and suppressed gatherings to halt the growth of Christianity, forcing many believers underground.
House churches have sprung up across Iran as believers find ways to fellowship despite the threat of arrest.
Many endure imprisonment, like Joseph Shahbazian and Mina Khajavi, while families are kept apart and worship must take place in secret homes.
Though Iran has signed international agreements on religious freedom, Christians experience real persecution and lifelong struggles for choosing to follow Christ.
As Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani powerfully said, “Any religious conversion brings ‘enormous and costly upheaval’ which may ‘take a lifetime to make sense of.'”
Believers’ courage reflects steadfast hope and the promise that Christ is with those who suffer for His name.
Let us stand in prayer and action for those who remain faithful under persecution, defending the God-given right to faith, family, and freedom.
Faith Facts
- Office for National Statistics data reveals marriage halves the risk of domestic abuse compared to other family structures.
- Only 4.4% of domestic abuse victims were married, while 39% were separated or divorced and 8.8% were cohabiting.
- Children in homes with unrelated adults are far more at risk—up to 50 times more likely to be killed than those with both biological parents present.
Marriage, rooted in biblical principles, emerges as the most protective environment, reinforcing God’s vision for family stability.
Recent statistics confirm that the traditional married family, built on faithfulness, offers a strong safeguard against the dangers of domestic violence.
“For years a ‘gendered narrative’ has heavily shaped the official debate on domestic violence, painting the traditional family as dangerous and ‘patriarchy’ as the root of abuse. That dogma is not just misleading, it is dangerous. The official figures tell a very different story, one that points back to real marriage,”
said Dr. Tony Rucinski of the Coalition for Marriage.
Biblical fatherhood is vital, providing sons and daughters with the example and security needed for wholesome development and peaceful homes.
“Good fathers are not decorative. They are one of the most powerful long‑term protections against violence we know about … Marriage between one man and one woman, lived out in faithfulness, quietly teaches sons how to be men and daughters what to expect from men.”
Dr. Rucinski noted that enduring marital commitment gives women, men, and children the safest foundation for life.
Let us boldly affirm God’s design for marriage and family, standing firm for faith, freedom, and the protection of every generation.
Faith Facts
- The Church of England’s Living Ministry project surveyed over 1,000 clergy since 2017, revealing persistent challenges to well-being in ministry.
- Burnout, isolation, financial worries, and administrative burdens are the most common difficulties reported, especially intensified after Covid-19.
- Despite pressures, many clergy find hope in congregational engagement, vocational fulfillment, and spiritual support among peers.
The report highlights the ongoing need for resilience among those called to shepherd the faithful, emphasizing the importance of church community and biblical support for leaders.
Many clergy struggle with feelings of isolation, but Christian fellowship and shared burdens strengthen their sense of purpose and mission.
“Of the three elements of burnout, high scores in depersonalisation (related to isolation) and personal inefficacy (related to demoralisation) were more prevalent than emotional exhaustion (related to tiredness), suggesting that the nature of ordained ministry may contribute more to burnout than simply the number of hours worked,” the report said.
The survey underlines the vital necessity of encouraging, equipping, and providing for our pastors, that they may better serve God and His people.
Let us pray for our clergy and support their calling, so the light of Christ continues to shine strong in British communities.
Faith Facts
- Jesus affirmed that children are welcome in the Kingdom of God.
- Simple, humble faith is central to salvation, regardless of age.
- The Holy Spirit’s transformation is not limited by age or understanding.
Scripture reveals that even young children can put their trust in Jesus and be received into His Kingdom. The Lord calls us to present the gospel to all, including the youngest among us, and to accept their sincere expressions of faith.
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)
Jesus used the humility and trust of a little child as the standard for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Children’s ability to believe simply is honored by Christ Himself.
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)
We are reminded that the Holy Spirit can move in hearts beyond our comprehension, bringing about true transformation at any age. As faithful believers, we are called to guide, teach, and nurture children toward a personal relationship with Christ, trusting God’s power to save.
Never underestimate the faith of a child—encourage them to know Jesus and embrace His gift of salvation.
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