Iranian Government Comes After Pastor Soodmand's Son

 On Dec. 03, 1990, the Iranian Regime executed Pastor Hossein Soodmand for the crime of "Apostasy."  Born to a Shia Muslim family in 1940, Hossein converted to Christianity and became a Pastor for the Assemblies of God Church.  After the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian government began a massive crackdown on all Christian churches and institutions in the country.  Despite this, Hossein continued his work, operating churches underground and baptizing Muslim converts.  Due to his actions, Hossein was charged with being an enemy of the state and ultimately executed.  

Pastor Ramtin Soodmand and the Grave of his Father Hossein Soodmand

Despite the ongoing persecution, Hossein's son, Ramtin, vowed to continue his fathers work.  Despite having to witness his father's execution at the age of 16, Ramtin Soodman stepped forward and for 30 years served as a leader in Iran's house church movement.  Over that time, Ramtin and his fellow believers were continually investigated and harassed by the Iranian government and a number of Ramtin's congregants were arrested for the charge of "propaganda against the regime" as it is illegal to leave Islam for Christianity or any other faith within the nation.  Between 2009 & 2012 the Iranian authorities forcibly closed most Farsi-speaking churches.  Christian coverts also faced more frequent arrests and imprisonments.  Most of those who were released from prison were either placed under surveillance, forced to wear ankle monitors, or forcibly exiled to other areas of the country.  Ramtin himself fell victim to this as he was previously imprisoned for 9 weeks and spent most of that time in solitary confinement.  

Pastor Hovsepain Baptizing Ramtin

Persecution was something that Ramtin learned to live with.  Four years after his father's execution, the Iranian regime arranged the murder of Pastor Haik Hovsepain, the very Pastor who baptized Ramtin.  However, in January of 2021, the regime came after Ramtin in full force and sent16 plainclothes Iranian government officers into his home, seizing many of his possessions, including much of his Christian literature.  The agents spent hours interrogating Ramtin, his wife, and his two children.  

The agents told Ramtin that they knew all about his activities and offered him two choices.  His first choice was to be a spokesman for the government.  He'd represent Iran at International Religious conferences, allow him to establish an official church, and tell the world that Iran allows freedom of religion.  His other choice: jail, and he had two minutes to decide.  

Ramtin's Children Fleeing Iran

Ramtin agreed to meet with the authorities in two days and accept their offer, but in truth, he was only buying time.  Ramtin refused to work with the same regime that murdered his father, stating in an interview that "I cannot cooperate with the Devil army."  Knowing full well that the regime would soon return again, with greater force and that jail was imminent, Ramtin prayed with his supporters and made the decision to leave Iran.  Ramtin spent years preparing for this, knowing that there may come a day when he would have no choice but to flee.  As a result, he spent the past several years training several trusted followers to take over the mission.  Working with an underground network, Ramtin was smuggled out of Iran to another Middle East nation, and his wife and children followed a few months later.  The family could only take with them what they were able to carry in their suitcases, leaving everything that they've ever known behind.  

For now Ramtin and his family are safe, but for how long remains to be seen.  The Iranian regime is notorious for sending agents all over the world to spy on escaped dissidents, and at times these very agents may succeed in luring this dissidents back to Iran, or simply carry out extrajudicial killing.  Nevertheless, the church is still growing in Iran despite the persecution, and I believe in time, the Holy Spirit will spread through the Iranian populace and give them the strength and wisdom that they need to bring this repressive regime to an end.  

Sources:

"A Legacy of Costly Faith."  The Voice of the Martyrs.  Dec. 2021.