 A
Persian Heart, CAPTURED BY A VISION... Then Transformed by Love
ELLIE DAVIDIAN, OF INTERNATIONAL ANTIOCH Ministries, is an exceptional partner of the "JESUS" film. Born in Iran, she was a highly devoted and committed follower of her particular Muslim sect. Being raised close to the carnage of the Iraq-Iran war in the '80s, she became disillusioned and secretly began a search for truth.
Her parents sent her to Europe, and then to a college in the United States, where an announcement on a bulletin board caught her attention. A student group was showing "JESUS" in Farsi, her mother tongue. Ellie attended and was moved deeply. The experience plunged her into a deepening, inner conflict--afraid that her inquiry would condemn her to hell. Then, with the encouragement of her new Christian friends, Ellie asked God to show her the truth.
That night the Lord gave her a vision--three men standing at the points of a triangle, each clothed in white. She could see only the face of the man in the front and knew it was Jesus. He said, "Just trust Me... believe in Me." Ellie gave her heart to the Lord and was overjoyed. She said her huge burden of guilt lifted from her shoulders; she felt as though she was "light as a feather."
Today, Ellie lives in the United States and is the director of follow-up for Antioch Ministries.  This partner broadcasts Christian television programs into Iran, via satellite, including frequent showings of "JESUS"--the same version that helped bring her to Christ.
Viewers in Iran are invited to call a telephone number on the screen. Their calls are directed to the United States, to Ellie and her follow-up team, where they counsel seekers in Farsi. Ellie enthusiastically tells of many miracles, and hearts profoundly changed when people watch "JESUS." One 38-year-old woman was injured in an auto accident and had been paralyzed from the neck down for three years. She prayed to receive Christ. Then at Ellie's urgings, while still on the phone, the woman asked Jesus to heal her. Ellie tells of that incredible moment.
In the background Ellie heard shouts of wonder and excitement coming from the woman's non-Christian family as she rose from her bed and began to walk around the room--a powerful witness to all who also had heard the truth of the gospel. They all gave their lives to Christ!
For your partnership with "JESUS," for your prayers and giving that help make many ministries of
evangelism and discipleship effective, we thank you! What a great God we have!
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