And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 KJV
Christianity Expressed
Since Christianity has had the longest relationship with Europe, many cultural expressions of Christianity are distinctly European in form. Though beautiful and timeless, we began to wonder if these Western and European expressions are effective for modern day evangelism in a diverse world.
Christian art might be prevalent in mainstream culture where we live, but this isn't necessarily true of the people we are wanting to reach: the unreached and unengaged, people who are yearning for beauty and Christ.
The Word Made Project aims to proclaim God's truth where Christianity is unwelcome, in non-Latin languages and through indigenous forms of calligraphic arts and artifacts.
The words - The Word - of the Bible are central and visibly present in all artwork under this project. Typography and calligraphy naturally exist in most languages and can be an artwork on their own (i.e. Chinese calligraphy) or with other motifs (i.e. Islamic tiles).
Made Flesh
Though culture and languages are always evolving, God's truth surpasses every category! The Word was made flesh for the Jew, the Gentile, for all tribes and languages. We infer ‘flesh’ from John 1:14 to specific languages: “The Word Made { Language }.”
The Word Made Farsi (Kalameh Parsi Gasht) is our first initiative under this project. Farsi (or Persian) is spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kuwait. Persian calligraphy has a long and rich history. Islam is the predominant religion in these countries. The language writes like visual artworks. Just do a Google search and see for yourself!
Farsi Tile Collection
Our first test is a collection of 12 pieces inspired by Islamic tiles. Qu'ran verses are often drawn on tiles with decorative motifs and make up part of a mosque. We believe this is an easy entry point into Persian art since it is the most common cultural artifact.
We are launching a calendar with these pieces beginning in the Persian New Year (Norwuz) in March 2024. Each piece will be accompanied by a testimony of a Farsi-speaking Christian.
Free Calendar
We're offering this piece on Matthew 5:14 as a free downloadable digital calendar for August 2024.
Matthew 5:14 is from the lips of Jesus, who is the source of the light for His people. When we receive Christ as our Lord, we carry His Truth to the darkness around us. Just as a town on a hill is most visible to those below, so the light always rises above the darkness, attracting the gazes below to marvel upon its beauty. And this light cannot be dimmed so long as the light bearers stand firm in their alliance to the light giver Jesus Christ, for to Him was everything made through and for.
Shahram's Spiritual Journey: From Islamic roots to the call of Christ
“Growing up amidst the Islamic culture of Iran, I struggled to connect deeply with God due to the strict and confining religious customs. The upheaval of the Islamic revolution in my homeland set me on a quest for comfort and meaning beyond the confines of conventional faith.
I left Iran in 1985 and moved to Europe, but I was still yearning for spiritual fulfillment. In Germany, I encountered Christianity. A powerful sermon by Pastor Dehghani Tafti stirred my soul, leading my family and me to embrace Christianity through baptism.
But the clarity in my spiritual journey was yet to come. It was in 1999 during a church service that I felt a deep need to repent. I experienced the Holy Spirit for the first time. God ignited true transformation within me!
I felt God urging me to share faith lessons with Iranians. In 2001, He led me back to Iran and prompted me to pursue a life of purity and dedication. Through the teachings of Kenneth E. Hagin Ministry during a 40-day fast, the Holy Spirit enlightened my soul.
20 years later, a vision inspired me to unite Iranian missionaries for God's work. Today, I serve as a leader at Padeshah Church in London, driven by an earnest desire to spread God's love in Iran.
My journey exemplifies God's grace amid doubts and uncertainties. It's a story of finding unwavering faith that has led me into profound intimacy with my loving God.”
Prayer for Farsi-Speaking Peoples
Heavenly Father, we lift up the Farsi-speaking community worldwide. May they discover your provision as their shepherd, finding contentment and trust in your care. Guide them to embrace your sufficiency amidst life's challenges. Amen.
