March 25, 2002
Berlin, Germany

Iranian Presbyterian Christian Fellowship in Europe

Dear Friends,

I continually thank God that despite our problems and difficulties His grace is greater. With His mercy and love God not only delivers us from difficulties but also gives us victory so that we are able to help others. The Iranian Presbyterian Christian Fellowship in Europe, through the help and support of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has had the privilege to provide needed service in the areas of evangelism, education, social services, and encouragement to the Iranians displaced from their homeland.

Berlin About 7,000 Iranians live in the city of Berlin. Worship services especially for Iranian Christians are held every Saturday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at the Bethlehem Church, which is itself a German Presbyterian church. Between 25 and 40 people participate in the worship services, including both Christians and non-Christians. Every Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 there is a Bible study and prayer meeting at my home at which the Christian life and
the principles and doctrines of the church are discussed. Between 8 to 12 people, primarily Christians, participate in these meetings. On Thursday afternoons at 5:00 there is a Bible study for inquirers and candidates for baptism at the church at which between 6 and 10 people attend. On the same day people who need to see the pastor about their special problems have the opportunity to see him. As in years past, many who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ through the Iranian Presbyterian Fellowship have emigrated to the U.S. and have now become members of various Iranian churches there.

Every day that goes by, more and more Iranians living in Berlin come in contact with the church and benefit from its spiritual and social services.

Iranian Television Berlin has so far interviewed us several times and broadcast special programs giving special attention to our beneficial and free services. This has encouraged Iranians living in Berlin to contact the Fellowship.

Two years ago we received a telephone call from a friend in a German city. He said three Iranians had arrived in Paris on their way to Germany, but their liaison had taken all their money and deserted them in Paris. They did not know the language, had no money, and knew no place to go. After prayer and discussion we decided to go to Paris to bring them to Germany. So we left for Paris at 1:00 on Thursday afternoon and drove straight through, arriving about 2:30 in the morning. Even though we only had an incomplete and puzzling
address, with the help of the Holy Spirit we found them. After introducing ourselves you should have seen the emotion on their faces and how tears of pleasure and hope flowed from their eyes. First we took them in our car to a restaurant to get something to eat and drink. Then without delay we left for Germany and arrived the next day near sunset. After being introduced to the refugee office, they were transferred to different cities and they have more or less kept in contact with us.

One of them by the name of Qulam Reza has been the one who has kept most in touch with me. He was living in a refugee camp near the city of Chemnis, and we went several times to meet him. I introduced him to a German church in that area and gave him a New Testament and some Christian books. After several months I was invited by that church to baptize Qulam Reza. It was a very spiritual and beautiful ceremony.

For a long time we had no word about another one by the name of Babek. One day I was invited to preach in an Iranian church in Hamburg. During the tea time after the service a young man said to me, "I know you. You showed me a kindness that I will not forget as long as I live." When I had seen him before, his face had been agitated, upset, and tired, so I did not recognize him. But he said, "I am Babek, you brought me from Paris to Germany. Some time ago I gave my heart to Jesus Christ, was baptized and became a member of the church." It must be truly said that he went from Teheran to France, from France to Germany, and from Germany to the foot of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. I still have not heard from the third person.

In general, we witness the coming of new people every day to the city of Berlin who hear about us and come to the church. The Berlin Iranian Presbyterian Fellowship is a member of the Berlin Council of Foreign Churches and of the executive committee of that council.

Marburg The Iranian Presbyterian Fellowship of Marburg started about seven years ago and met once a month. Starting last year, it has had weekly meetings. Between 20 and 40 people attend the meetings. So far, several Afghani and Iranian participants have come to faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized.

Hamm About two years ago an Iranian youth was looking for the Presbyterian Christian Fellowship in Germany and its minister, the Rev. Sadegh Sepehri. He found the telephone number of Mehrdad Sepehri, the son of Rev. Sepehri and called him. Mehrdad told him, "I am the son of Rev. Sepehri. If you want me to do something for you, say so." That person told him, "I have questions about Christianity that I want answered." In brief, Mehrdad arranged to meet this person and went to Hamm. There he met several other Iranians and as a result a monthly evangelistic meeting was started. Mehrdad goes there every month and about 30 people attend the meetings. Several people from this group have gone to the U.S., and one of them has become a member of the Iranian Presbyterian Church in Seattle and another one has become a member of another Iranian church.

Aachen Iranian Christian Fellowship in the city of Aachen Two years ago we started monthly evangelistic meetings in the city of Aachen, near the border of Holland. Now the meetings continue weekly. About 8 to 15 people attend the meetings. So far several persons as a result of these meetings have opened their hearts to the Lord and believed.

Other Meetings Other places in Germany and sometimes other places in Europe where there are evangelistic meetings invite us to preach and teach. We accept these invitations whole-heartedly and work cooperatively with them. We are also invited to some German-language conferences to benefit from our experiences in doing evangelism with Muslims and to get our ideas of how they can talk with Muslims. Through these meetings we have been able to gain a special place of respect among the German churches.

Social Services There are many people looking for social services, as the majority of Iranians who for various reasons left Iran now face many difficulties in this country. These people need honest guidance and count the Iranian Evangelical Church to be a center worthy of trust. Every day the number of people coming for such help is increasing. Iranian refugees are facing family problems, difficulties with educating their children, health problems, and hundreds of other kinds of needs. Thanks be to God that the Iranian Presbyterian Fellowship is able to provide useful steps to deal with these difficulties and gain the confidence of Iranians.

It is now three years since our work started in Berlin. During this time we sought to understand the situation and open a way for us in this city. Thankfully that time has now arrived and we have found a place and opportunity for ourselves. We can say with confidence that we have succeeded more than we expected. It goes without saying that we expect even more fruit from now on.

In conclusion we request that you remember us in prayer that the seed that has been planted and the efforts that have been made until now will bear fruit. Also pray that we may witness daily hearts being opened anew to our Lord and that the wandering sheep will find shelter in the bosom of our great shepherd Jesus Christ.

We thank God for all these opportunities that we have had and for the support of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for this work to which we have been appointed.

Rev. Sadegh Sepehri