IMPACT32 Podcast

🔥 What happens when a generation of women, silenced by oppressive laws, finds its voice? In a nation where their testimony is legally worth half that of a man's, Iranian women are rising up, and digital media has become their megaphone. In this powerful episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Keshish-Abnous sits down with Shirin Taber, a pioneer in empowering Middle Eastern women, to explore how media, st...

🔥 What if the Iranian regime's biggest justification for persecution—that Christianity is a "foreign" Western faith—is a complete lie? What if the roots of Christianity in Iran are deeper and more ancient than the regime itself? In this paradigm-shifting episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Keshish-Abnous sits down with Dr. Christian van Gorder—a leading expert on Islamic-Christian relations and author...

🔥 What happens when an entire government engineers a system of "religious apartheid" to erase your existence? Amidst state-sponsored hate speech, systemic violence, and laws that strip away basic human rights, what does it cost to follow Christ inside the Islamic Republic of Iran? In this powerful and revealing episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Keshish-Abnous sits down with Fred Petrossian—author, j...

🔥 What happens when scripture is used to justify modern warfare? Amidst active geopolitical conflict, widespread misconceptions, and the dangerous weaponization of biblical texts, what does it mean to truly love our neighbors across the Middle East? In this powerful and revealing episode of Unmuted, Edwin Keshish-Abnous sits down with Fares Abraham—Founder and CEO of Levant Ministries—to navigate...

🔥 Is it ever biblical to pray for the downfall of a corrupt government? As millions of Iranians risk their lives to overthrow an oppressive regime, an unprecedented mass rejection of Shiite Islam is paving the way for the fastest-growing underground church in the world. In this powerful and revealing episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Douglas Groothuis—veteran philosopher, a...

🔥 "Khomeini promised freedom, but Iranians got the opposite. Today, millions are rejecting the regime's ideology entirely as a massive cultural shift threatens the very foundation of the Islamic Republic." In this powerful and revealing episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Ladan Boroumand—human-rights scholar and co-founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center—to unpack the dee...

🔥 "Many believe Christianity is a 'Western religion' imported to Iran—but the truth is that the Persian Church has deep, indigenous roots that predate Islam and once influenced the entire East." In this historical and inspiring episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Philip Hopkins—historian and expert on Iranian Christianity—to trace the lineage of the Nestorian and Armenian tra...

🔥 "The Iranian church is one of the fastest-growing underground movements in the world—but few understand the cultural wounds and leadership tensions threatening to fracture it from within." In this raw and revelatory episode of Unmuted, host Edwin Abnous sits down with Dr. Roy Oksnevad—veteran Iranian diaspora minister, author, and cultural bridge-builder—to unpack what most never talk about: 🎯...

In this insightful episode, we speak with an Iranian Christian mother who, though she left Iran at a young age, has stayed deeply connected to the struggles of women in her homeland. Now living in the U.S. and working for a Christian organization, she offers valuable commentary on the social, economic, and spiritual challenges Iranian women face today. From navigating a repressive regime to seekin...

Can artificial intelligence be a tool for spreading the Gospel in countries where access to the message of Jesus is restricted? In this episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast, we explore groundbreaking technological approaches to ministry, focusing on how they're reaching the next generation in Iran, Afghanistan, and the surrounding region. Join Gillian as she sits down with Dr. Mike Ansari, President an...

What does it take to put a healthy church within walking distance of everyone in the world? In this episode, we take an inside look at the incredible work being done by ICM to expand the global church. Join us as we chat with Tarin Riley, a dear friend and ministry partner, about her journey and calling, ICM's mission and vision, and how Heart4Iran and ICM are working together to bring the message...

The underground church in Iran is facing persecution like never before. In this episode, we provide current reports on the situations in Iran and address the key questions: What should our response be, and how is the Lord moving amidst these challenges? Joining Gillian is Dr. Mike Ansari, President and CEO of Heart4Iran, to share the latest news from inside Iran. This podcast will bring you the po...

Iranian children are in such desperate need of the hope and life that is only found in Jesus. On this episode of the IMPACT32 Podcast, we embark on a captivating journey through the heart of the Superbook program, where faith, education, and culture converge. In this episode, we delve into the unique world of Superbook's Farsi translation and distribution, shedding light on the remarkable impact i...

God meets us in our vulnerability and our weakness - when we are weak, He is strong. On this episode of IMPACT32 we get to hear from the President and CEO of the MENA Leadership Center, Dr. Jenn Murff, as she shares her powerful story of her miraculous healing journey and how the Lord met he in her darkest moments. This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement...

How can Iranian mothers foster a supportive and nurturing environment for their children when the Islamic regime has so much control over each household? On this episode of IMPACT32 we get to speak with two Iranian mothers on the values and principles that guide Iranian families and the challenges and differences they’ve experienced in raising their children in the United States with strong Christ...

What is the role of women in Iran? The Iranian government is desperately trying to maintain control and oppression amidst the continuous efforts of brave women fighting for their freedom, and lives, in Iran each day. In this episode, we sit down with Heart4Iran's president, Dr. Mike Ansari, and Mayra, an Iranian-American journalist, and explore the role of education in empowering women in Iran and...

Iran is hurting now more than ever between the government poisoning innocent school girls, the women still fighting for their freedom on the streets, and the Taliban continuing to oppress and control their people in a brutal manner. In this month's podcast episode, we sat down with two women from Iran to hear their deep insight of the current status of women in Iran. The Lord is working through ou...

Heart4Iran is reaching the Turkey earthquake victims with the love of Jesus! Amir, one of our own team members, served as a translator for these victims on the ground this past month. In this month's podcast episode, we had the chance to sit down with him and hear his raw and beautiful testimony of what he witnessed during his time in Turkey. He shares several encounters with Muslim-background-bel...

We are working to reach the persecuted church in Iran and beyond each day! In this episode we speak with one of our ministry partners, Dr. David Curry, CEO and President of Global Christian Relief. He shares his deep insight on advocating for religious freedom, his work with persecuted nations around the world, and how the Western Body of Christ can aid in helping our hurting brothers and sisters...

We are working on getting a Bible into the hands of every Persian believer! In this episode we speak with Pastor Mansour, a former Muslim background believer and now a missionary with "World Witness." He has planted four Persian-speaking churches in Greece and the USA, and has been well engaged with planting house churches in Iran. This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the undergroun...

The Iranian people are finding their voice like never before. In this month's episode, we hear from the Head Anchor at Christian World News Farsi, who works to uncover the latest news from across the Middle East. She gives insight on why this current protest is important to Iran and the world as a whole, why international leaders/governments are not doing more for the Iranian people, and shares he...

For the first time in history, there is a powerful movement happening in Iran– and it's being led by women. In this exclusive IMPACT32 Podcast episode, "Woman, Life, Freedom,” we hear from two daring Iranian women on how they are spreading the Gospel to their beloved people. Nazanin and Jennifer, both team members at Heart4Iran, give us an inside look at the devastating events happening in Iran, w...

In this month's episode, "Christ in the Digital Age," we speak with Reverend Sasan Tavassoli, a pastor for our Mohabat Virtual Church and a close ministry partner. Rev. Sasan shares his deep insight on how the Western church can fulfill the Great Commission through technology.  Is there a place for a Christ-centered theology in media and technology? How can we be IN the world but not OF the world...

Welcome back to Heart4Iran's podcast, IMPACT32, named after the latitude and longitude of Iran where our mission all began. This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as...

Welcome back to Heart4Iran's podcast, IMPACT32, named after the latitude and longitude of Iran where our mission all began. This podcast will bring you the powerful insight on the underground church movement and persecution happening in Iran + Afghanistan– all within 20 minutes! Each month will feature a new episode with one of our partners who shares the same calling and heart for this mission as...