A letter from Sadegh Sepehri in Germany
March 2, 2009
Iranian Presbyterian Fellowship in Europe 2008
Thank God that even though we are getting old, He makes us able to do His will and spread the good news of salvation that brings hope to people.
The year 2008 was for us a wonderful and blessed year that had many fruitful results.
- The Iranian Evangelical Church of Berlin held weekly worship that 30 people attended regularly. During 2008 we had about 50 worship services. Every Tuesday we had a special time for pastoral consultation and Bible study classes. Every Thursday we held baptism courses for inquirers, and as the result of these classes we baptized seven people during the year. On Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas we had special programs and worship services. My wife and I also did counseling for church members and the community. Most of the counseling took place by telephone, and most of our clients were women that my wife had a good opportunity to talk to. Many people I baptized in different countries in Europe have called me to ask for guidance and request that I write a letter on their behalf to the government offices and courts. These letters are very helpful for their asylum cases. Fortunately, the federal office for refugees and courts respects our church and is paying close attention to our letters.
- For Christmas we had a very happy and blessed worship and gathering attended by about 100 people. After the worship, we had a nice potluck dinner.
- The Iranian Christian flellowship in Marburg started about 15 years ago and is going very well. At the beginning we had monthly worship services, but now we have weekly worship there and Bible study classes as well. I personally travel there once a month and the rest of the care is done by my son, the Rev. Mehrdad Sepehri.
- These days, many Iranians who want to leave the country go to Hungary because getting a visa for Hungary is easier than other European countries. We have been traveling to Hungary now for about six years to collaborate with our Presbyterian colleagues, the Rev. Kathy Angi and her husband, Joe, who are trying to reach refugees with the Word of God. The Angis are doing a wonderful job among these Iranians, trying to help them with their asylum, housing, and other social problems. So far, most of them have heard about the love of God and are attending church services. Many have received Baptism. We thank God for this opportunity and ask your prayers that this work continue.
- The federal office for refugees is sending most asylum seekers to the former East Germany. So we have decided to pay more attention on this part of the country, especially Leipzig. In 2008, we traveled four times to this area and had a good opportunity to share with Iranian refugees the Word of God and bring them hope and salvation.
- A new door was opened for us in Finland. We received call from an Iranian that we knew from Budapest and were asked to visit Finland to preach and evangelize. We had a wonderful time and were able to share the Word of God with more than 30 people in seven days.
- These days it is difficult to receive asylum in European countries. Many who come and apply for asylum have to wait for several years—some wait as long as 8 to 12 years. During this time they have no work permission and cannot travel; they are like prisoners. That is why family problems are increasing and the divorce rate is going up. Children over 16 cannot attend school; they just wander the streets and other places, which is not good. People are spiritually needy and have psychological problems. So we need your prayers that they may find solutions. Every day when we talk to people we hear sad news. Please pray for us that God strengthen us—that we not be disappointed but be able to help them and make them sure of God’s mercy .
With all good wishes
Rev. Sadegh Sepehri
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 175
