Missions Pulse Episode #106: Why Iran?

A Detailed Look at the Spiritual Revolution Sweeping Across the Nation

#106: Why Iran? A Detailed Look at the Spiritual Revolution Sweeping Across the Nation

1024 576 David Joannes

Rev. Lazarus Yeghnazar is the founder of Transform Iran, a faith-based humanitarian outreach “to the desperate” in Iran. He is a former top translator for Iran’s war ministry and budget ministry who emigrated to England 36 years ago following the Iran-Iraq war.

Recently featured on CBN, Yeghnazar shared more about his heart for the nation and how many people in Iran have encountered Jesus through dreams and visions—something that is fairly foreign to Western cultures.

Lazarus Yeghnazar was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1949 to an Armenian Christian family. At the age of six, he saw a vision of Jesus and committed his life to His service. At 21, Lazarus was ordained as an elder at the Central Jamaate Rabani Church in Tehran and appointed as a member of the General Leadership of these churches across Iran.

At 23, despite the fact that he taught himself English, Lazarus became the head of the translation department of the Ministry of War in Iran and the official translator for the Vice Minister of War in Iran.

He was imprisoned twice before he was 25 for preaching the Gospel in different cities in Iran (during the time of the Shah). After the Islamic Revolution, when the hostages were captured at the American Embassy, he was the only one called upon to conduct Christmas and Easter services for the hostages.

He had an official audience with the King and Queen of Iran at the age of 27. Years later, by special invitation, he met and prayed with the crowned prince Reza Pahlavi (then in exile).

Lazarus also established Pars Link, one of the front-running electronics engineering firms in Iran, and became a successful international businessman. At 30, he founded and led the first Tehran chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International.

In 1988, after the end of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, Lazarus and Maggie felt God’s leading to leave Iran and settle in Europe. In 1991 they established 222 Ministries in obedience to the call of God. In 2022 ‘222 Ministries’ became ‘Transform Iran’ to better communicate the expanded vision they had received from the Lord.

Lazarus has a strategic pioneering spirit. He sees what is happening and what needs to be done and has the courage and voice to lead where others may hesitate to go.

Find out more about Transform Iran here.

 

Make sure to subscribe on YouTubeiTunes, or Stitcher.

Just need the audio version? Subscribe to Missions Pulse on YouTubeiTunes, or Stitcher.

Purchase Missions Pulse host David Joannes’ books, The Space Between Memories (2016), The Mind of a Missionary (2018), and Gospel Privilege (2020). These books will stir you to know God’s heart and join his mission. 

The Space Between Memories highlights the last two decades of David Joannes’ missionary travels. From the hullabaloo of Manila to the jam-packed city streets of Kunming to the rural villages of Southwest China, this part memoir, part travelogue shows God’s hand at work among the most unassuming of misfits. It is a testament that if only we would answer his call, his glory can be found, even in the space between memories.

“Moment by moment, story by story, The Space Between Memories is a captivating journey of the victories and trials of life as a missionary in China.” — HEIDI BAKER, Co-Founder of Iris Global

Download a FREE CHAPTER at www.thespacebetweenmemories.com

In The Mind of a Missionary, David Joannes draws upon history, psychology, life experience, and powerful storytelling to reshape your perception of God’s unique plan for your life. Each chapter of this book highlights missionary heroes—historical and modern-day Christians—who challenge us to join God’s redemptive mission. You’ll be inspired by the lives of Jim & Elizabeth Elliot, C. T. Studd, Nikolaus Zinzendorf, Robert Moffat, Jackie Pullinger, David Eubank, Nik & Ruth Ripken, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Don Richardson, and Heidi Baker.

“A future missions classic.” — NIK RIPKEN, author of The Insanity of God

Download a FREE CHAPTER at www.themindofamissionary.com

In Gospel Privilege, David Joannes shows that Jesus’ life-altering, culture-shaping, world-changing grace message brings unearned spiritual benefits for this life and the life to come. This book is a clarion call for the gospel- privileged to stand in advocacy for and in solidarity with the gospel- deprived; to step beyond our borders, even when it’s risky or uncomfortable, and share the rich privilege of knowing Christ.

“We must not hoard the message we have given to share with those who have not heard. It is our mandate. It is our mission. It is our sacred privilege. Such is the essence of Gospel Privilege by David Joannes.” — THOM S. RAINER, Founder and CEO of Church Answers and former President of LifeWay Christian Resources

Download a FREE CHAPTER at www.gospelprivilege.com