by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - A new survey on the growth of Christianity in Iran suggests there could soon be 1 million Iranian Christians living in the Islamic Republic, CBN News reports. Carried out by the non-profit Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN), the survey questioned 50,000 Iranians, 90% of whom live in the country. The survey showed that 1.5% of respondents identified as Christian.
Discussing the results of the survey with CBN News, Mike Ansari of Mohabat TV, a Gospel ministry that broadcasts in Iran, said: "Iranians are turning their backs [on their] institutional faith, and receiving Christianity as their new faith."
"One-point-five percent becoming Christian may not seem a big number, but for a country that is closed and persecuted towards Christianity that number is a huge indication of the Gospel growth," Ansari explained. "The majority of the movement is happening underground and it's growing very, very fast," he added.
According to CBN News, it is hard to confirm the numbers of converts because Iran is officially an Islamic country which persecutes Christians. However, CBN News says: “anecdotal reports suggested waves of people were turning to Christ in recent years.”
“Satellite TV and other ministries are sending a message of love that appeals to the population and it's spreading organically from person to person, resulting in a huge explosion of the underground house church movement,” CBN News reports.