The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken
away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from
evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in
death. Isaiah 57:1-2
I was reading this scripture on January 19th, 1994, the day Bishop Haik
Hovsepian-Mehr mysteriously disappeared en route to the airport in the capital
of Iran. He had spoken out courageously against the persecution of Iranian
Christians and the closure of the Iranian Bible Society as well as the closing
of a number of churches across Iran. He had campaigned vigorously for the
release of Rev. Mehdi Dibaj from prison and had acted as substitute father for
Mehdi’s four children during his imprisonment in addition to his own four
children. Days later his dead body with multiple stab wounds was identified.
Iranian Christians reported that the bishop was a brave and humble man who
was much loved and respected by the church community in Iran. They added that in
his last few weeks of life, he would often speak about his possible martyrdom
for which he was prepared. At his memorial service one of his taped sermons was
played which spoke about giving your life for the sake of Jesus. One of his
statements regarding the possibility of losing his life was made to Brother
Andrew just weeks before he died, “I will not die a silent death!”
Today’s verses from the Bible gave me great encouragement as to the purpose
of God in allowing martyrdom among His people. They rest in peace. But what
about their families?
This day and event changed the life of Haik’s son, Andre, forever. He says,
“As a pastor’s son growing up in Iran, I got used to the fact that sometimes my
dad would be gone for a day or two for interrogation. But then on that dreadful
day in January ’94, my father left the house and never came back.”
Looking back, Andre testifies that God used the love and support of the body
of Christ to bring the Hovsepian family courage during the dark days following
his father’s murder. “It meant a lot to me that someone I didn’t know from
another country was praying for me and was caring for me.”
Andre and his mother, Takoosh, now live in the United States where they use
their freedom to continue ministry to Iran via satellite. They produce programs,
movies, teaching materials and music to air in all the Farsi-speaking nations
like Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Andre and his family really value your prayers as, following in the footsteps
of Haik himself, they work to advance the kingdom in those countries where still
today faith costs the most.
He concludes, “I learned we are one big family in Christ—and I think that was
the number one thing which gave us courage and helped us heal.”
RESPONSE: Today I will accept the purposes of God in the martyrdom of His
saints and pray for courage and healing among the members of the families left
behind.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the way you are using the Hovsepian family in
ministry back to their original homeland and region. May their efforts greatly
expand Your kingdom.
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