SAN JOSE, CA (ANS) -- International Antioch Ministries™ (IAM) church plant of Iranian converts from Islam, The Iranian Christian Church of San Jose, CA, was chosen by The Christian Broadcasting Network's (CBN) The 700 Club television show as “America's Church of the Week.” According to The 700 Club commendation, The Iranian Christian Church “has been instrumental in helping Muslims find faith in Jesus Christ for the past 17 years. [Through the live TV show produced by International Antioch Ministries which has seen over 50,000 Muslims come to Christ in less than two years] .their influence extends far beyond their five California churches...For being the voice that takes the gospel to Muslims around the world, The 700 Club salutes you, Iranian Christian Church.” The February 23rd segment on the award can be viewed online at: www.cbn.com/700club/previousbroadcasts/.
Founded originally out of their home in 1987, by former Muslims, Pastor Hormoz Shariat, Ph.D., and his wife, Donnell, The Iranian Christian Church is now the largest group of affiliated Iranian Christian churches outside of Tehran, Iran. The evangelistic outgrowth of The Iranian Christian Church is International Antioch Ministries (IAM), which has been taking the gospel to Muslims worldwide since 2002. IAM (www.iam-online.net) is devoted exclusively to winning Muslims to Christ.
The 700 Club co-host and CBN founder and chairman, Pat Robertson, said to the viewing audience, regarding the selection of the Iranian Christian Church as “America's Church of the Week, “You just didn't realize what we had in this country.” Continued Pastor Robertson, “Isn't that marvelous to see what they're doing? For taking the gospel to Muslims around the world, Pastor Hormoz Shariat, we salute you.”
According to International Antioch Ministries' founder, Pastor Hormoz Shariat, Ph.D., “We are grateful for the 700 Club's recognition of our historic efforts in bringing evangelical Christianity to Iranian Muslims. The Iranian Christian Churches are the first fruits of IAM's outreach to Muslims. As we face increased threat at home and abroad by Islamic extremists, IAM and its churches are at the forefront of a movement to win the hearts and minds of the Muslim people by introducing them to the love of God for them in Jesus Christ. We welcome anyone who wishes to participate in this important work to contact us through our new web site at www.iam-online.net or by calling us at 408.674.5953.”