An angry knock on your door. Strangers ransacking your house. An armed escort to a car. A blindfold. A prison cell. Hours of interrogation. Psychological — and sometimes physical — torture. Back to solitary confinement.  

This has been the experience of hundreds of Christians in countless different cities across Iran. The aim of the arrests is to weaken the church. The opposite has happened. While persecution is deeply painful, many Christians released from prison testify that the Holy Spirit strengthened them. Even in prison many have shared the Gospel and led others to Christ. 

After some weeks or months of detention — usually without being formally charged — the believer is released, often on an exorbitant bail, to wait for their court hearing.