Endorsements
Endorsements & Board of Reference
Bishop Dr Michael Nazir-Ali
My prayer is that Torch Ministries will be truly blessed by our Father in heaven as they seek to bring wholeness out of brokenness, good news in the midst of tragedy and communities of hope where there is fear and despair. I am delighted that the wonderful ministry of the saint and martyr, Hossein Soodmand, will continue through these children of his. God works in amazing ways his wonders to perform!
Bishop Dr Michael Nazir-Ali is originally from Southwest Asia and was the first Diocesan Bishop in the Church of England born abroad. He was appointed in 1994. He was the General Secretary of CMS from 1989-1994. From 1999 he was a member of the House of Lords. He has both a Christian and a Muslim family background and is now President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue (OXTRAD).
It is clear from our work together that Torch’s team have a heart for Persian speaking people, to reach them with the good news of the Gospel and to help them grow in their relationship with God. We have found them very good to work with, always friendly and responsive to requests for information. It is clear that they are well equipped to walk alongside traumatised people facing societal and spiritual pressures and to help them grow in their faith.
Release International is an inter-denominational Christian ministry working through local church partners in more than 25 countries, helping persecuted Christians prayerfully, pastorally and practically.
Dr Terence Ascott
To the surprise of many, the church in Iran is one of the fastest-growing in the world. However, because it is a fast-growing and mostly an underground church, it suffers from a lack of leadership and so the work of Torch Ministries is vital in training and counselling new believers, church leaders and disciple makers for this exciting new community of faith.
Dr Terence Ascott has worked in the Middle East for almost 50 years, focusing on the use of Christian media. He is the founder and president of the Christian satellite television and online ministry SAT-7, which today broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish. Dr Ascott is the author of the recent book, DARE TO BELIEVE! – Stories of Faith from the Middle East.
Pastor Malcolm Steer
As someone who has had the privilege of working with Iranians for the past 50 years it is encouraging to see how God has raised up competent, well qualified Iranian workers to help reap the great harvest in Iran. Such a team is whose experience and gifts are being used to build up the Church both inside Iran and also throughout the Diaspora. It is an honour for me through the Torch Ministries Board to encourage them in their vision of strengthening, equipping and training Iranian believers to follow the Lord and serve the kingdom of God.
Malcolm Steer is a trustee on the Board of Torch Ministries. He is the Chairman of Pars Theological Centre and is also a Board Member of Sat-7 Pars and the Council of United Iranian Churches in UK and Europe.
Rev. Edward Hovsepian-Mehr
I acknowledge and endorse them who clearly have the anointing of God on their lives and who are precious gifts in their ministry to the Iranian churches through Torch Ministries.
Rev. Edward Hovsepian-Mehr is one of the most senior and highly respected Iranian Christian leaders, with nearly 50 years of fruitful Christian ministry in Iran and throughout the Iranian Diaspora. He is also Superintendent of the Council of United Iranian Churches Council of United Iranian Churches in UK and Europe.
We can see the living legacy of martyr Rev. Hossein Soodmand, who was executed for his Christian faith and service in Iran, passed on to them to carry on this mission for the kingdom of God.
We appreciate Torch Ministries and their vision and mission to strengthen, equip and train Iranian church leaders and believers to follow the Lord Jesus and be transformed, discipled and serving the Kingdom of God.
The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, interdenominational missions organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. It was founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. Our Mission: Serving persecuted Christians through practical and spiritual assistance and leading other members of the body of Christ into fellowship with them.
Rev. Patrick Wright
Rev. Patrick Wright is serving as the chair of trustees for Torch Ministries.