The Bold Faith of a Child in Iran

Even though she’s only 13, Sepideh* knows she won’t look back on her upbringing and think: “I had a good childhood.”

It seems like a harsh reality for someone so young to already know. But Sepideh lives in Iran and she’s a Christian. Her father constantly threatens to report her to the police for her faith.

Raised in a Muslim family, Sepideh became a Christian through the testimony of her grandmother. “My mother was an addict,” recalls Neda*, Sepideh’s mother. “I was amazed by how meeting Jesus changed her life! I was intrigued to explore and see who this ‘Jesus’ is and to know more about this new faith that my mother decided to follow.” Together, the mother and daughter became followers of Jesus.

Neda and Sepideh joined a house church and there, they experienced a warmth and love they had never known. Sepideh, just 10 years old at the time, quickly grew in her faith. “I really liked learning the stories of the Bible,” Sepideh says. “I felt loved by God through each story. And when I prayed with other kids, I always felt good.” 
 

Persecution begins

For a year, Sepideh and her mother attended the house church in secret, finding joy, a loving community and spiritual growth.

However, their newfound faith in Jesus also brought danger. In Iran, converts to Christianity often face severe persecution from both the government and their communities. This can include harassment, arrests, interrogations, imprisonment and even death threats. Sepideh and Neda experienced this firsthand.

Sepideh’s father, a strict Muslim, was furious when he discovered that his daughter and wife were attending Christian meetings. “If you continue visiting those people, I’ll report you all,” he threatened.

  Unable to attend the house church, Neda and Sepideh turned to online meetings for spiritual support and growth. “The only real fellowship we had was our time with my mother and sister,” Neda shares. “When my husband wasn’t around, I could join the online meetings. My sisters in Christ were so far from me, but their prayers encouraged me to stay strong. That’s how I could give hope to my daughter as well.”

Eventually Sepideh’s father stopped providing and caring for her. "Many times he argued and fought with us about why we don’t do namaz (Islamic prayer) anymore. We gave different excuses every time until he eventually stopped taking on his responsibilities as a husband and father,” Neda recalls. 
 

Pressure at school

  Sepideh’s challenges didn’t end at home. At school, she has to hide her Christian identity. Even though she’s a bright student, the school forces everyone to participate in Islamic rituals. Iran’s educational system imposes Islamic teachings and practices, making it extremely difficult for non-Muslim students to navigate their school life. This is particularly challenging for girls, who already face systemic barriers to their education.

Sepideh shares with a low and sad voice. “I’m afraid to talk about Jesus even to students who seem to be close with me.”

A temporary respite—and new challenges

Despite the pressure and loneliness, Sepideh and her mother still find strength in their faith. They managed to attend a Christian conference in another country recently. “After a long wait, I could finally spend a few days with Christian friends my age,” Sepideh remembers. “I was so happy! No more fear. We played together, read the Bible and worshiped aloud. I wish I could live those moments again and again.”

Both Sepideh and Neda were baptized during that conference, a significant milestone in their faith journeys. “After my baptism, I received renewed power from the Holy Spirit,” Neda reflects. “Now that I look back, I know that God was preparing me for a battle.”

Returning to Iran, they faced even harsher conditions. The Iranian regime is known for its severe restrictions on religious freedom, often targeting Christian converts with scrutiny and hostility.

On top of that, Sepideh’s father became even more hostile. He was staying out all night and using drugs. One night, he even accused Neda of infidelity. “It was difficult to see my daughter not receive any love or care from her father,” Neda confides. “Same for myself. I tried to love him and show him God’s love, even when he came back home drugged and beat me. Sepideh and I constantly pray for him.”

One night, after visiting a friend’s house, Sepideh and her mother came back home only to find themselves locked out. “I remember his words, telling us he doesn’t want us anymore. I felt frozen, I didn’t know what to do," Sepideh remembers. "I loved my father, but what could I do? He didn’t want me in his life anymore.”
 

Trials … and courage

   “I don’t know what the court ruling will be,” Neda admits. “I know that living as a single mom in our society will be very difficult. It will be hard for Sepideh too. However, I know that God sees and He knows. He has given me peace in my heart that He will protect and guide us, no matter what the results are.”

The questions that every child would ask if they were rejected by a parent haunt Sepideh. “Sometimes I wonder why my father changed a lot. Why doesn’t he love me anymore? Just because I decided to love Jesus? Why?”

  Yet, through everything, Sepideh is an encourager and a source of hope to Neda. “When I’m feeling down and hopeless, Sepideh encourages me a lot,” Neda shares with joy. “She reminds me, ‘We are daughters of God, Mom, and we shouldn’t forget that!’”

Sepideh’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of faith in the face of persecution. Despite the hardships, she continues to find hope and encouragement in Jesus, knowing that He will protect her and guide her through the darkest of days. Her life is an example of 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

*Name changed for security purposes; image for representation only