When her church was raided by Iranian authorities, Shahnaz Jizan’s life was ripped apart. Separated from her family, her home, and her community, she was sent to jail because of her Christian ministry. She shared her harrowing, but ultimately hopeful, story on the SAT-7 PARS program New Identity to encourage other women who are facing persecution in Iran today.
Shahnaz came to faith in Christ in 1984 and immediately faced opposition from her family. But over time, as she shared the Gospel and showed God’s love and grace to them, they all came to faith too. Her husband became a pastor, and they ministered together in Iran for 25 years.
Paranoia and Persecution
But it was never easy, and the couple were always on their guard. “There were always concerns and worries about others having issues with our faith,” Shahnaz explained. “Cars were watching and waiting outside our place of worship; we were always aware and paranoid about phone lines being listened to and spies in our midst.”
Shahnaz and her husband were strengthened by God’s presence in their day-to-day lives. “God was always with us in those times,” she reflected. “My husband was sent on trips to other places to share the Gospel, and I would sometimes go with him. Other times I would stay and look after our home church. We saw that people were coming to Christ.”
In 2011, events took a dramatic turn when their community was raided during a Christmas service. The children were separated from their parents and the women from the men. All laptops, mobile phones, cameras, books, and personal belongings were seized. “Through intimidation, they created a very traumatic atmosphere of fear,” Shahnaz said. “And they filmed it all.”
Shahnaz and her husband were arrested, blindfolded, and taken in for questioning. Their children were also questioned. After ten long days of interrogations and threats, Shahnaz was detained for an additional eight months. She was later sentenced to one year in prison, an experience that would change her life forever.
Ministering to “Forgotten Women”
Separated from her husband and children, Shahnaz did not succumb to self-pity; instead, she considered the plight of the other incarcerated women and began ministering to them. Many were ill mentally and physically as a result of the ordeal they had suffered. Some were pregnant and had to endure the pregnancy in unsanitary conditions, sometimes keeping the newborn babies in prison with them. There were also women who had been sentenced to death and were worried about what would happen to their children. “These were forgotten women; it had been years since anyone had come to see them,” Shahnaz said.
She was deeply affected by all she saw and heard. “These experiences gave me God’s heart for suffering women,” she explained. “I started thinking about how I could witness to and serve the women in prison. I knew God had brought me there to be a light.”
With God’s help, Shahnaz showed grace and love to the women who shared their stories with her. “I prayed that I might see these women the same way God sees them,” she said, “so that I could be a blessing to them and love them the way God does.”
“You Are Not Alone”
Shahnaz told her powerful story on a recent episode of New Identity to encourage other women facing persecution in Iran. Many viewers called in to thank her for sharing, and to express their gratitude for the fellowship they experienced through the program.
She said that the prayers of her family and other believers really helped her to endure being in prison, and she gave this encouraging message to viewers under pressure: “Even in the darkest times, the hope and light of the Lord is close, He can and will help you. You are not alone; He hears you and will answer your prayers. Keep hold of the hope promised to you by God.”
New Identity is a talk show equipping Persian-speaking women to navigate the spiritual, psychological, and social challenges in their lives. With half of each episode dedicated to teaching and discussion, viewers can build their lives on the solid rock of biblical truth. With the other half dedicated to prayer and viewer questions, Isolated Believers can connect with the body of Christ and grow in their faith. The presenters are also regularly joined by special guests, like Shahnaz, who share their expert insights or inspiring testimonies.
