December 1, 2011
In the latest attempt to fight the growth of Iran's house church network, the country's Minister of Intelligence announced that house churches were a threat to youth, Mission Network News reports. Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs said, "In the last year, we have seen a real change of tone in government reports in the speeches of leaders there, from basically ignoring the church and ignoring the growth of the church to now speaking out forcefully against the church and against people becoming Christians." As more and more Iranian youth are turning to Christ, the government has cracked down harder, arresting and imprisoning Christian leaders and converts. However, Nettleton said there was an increasing spiritual hunger, adding that he remained optimistic the Gospel would continue to fuel the growth of the church.
