Iranian Christians, ICE Raids, and the Cost of Following Jesus with Ara Torosian

What does it mean to follow Jesus when governments demand your allegiance, your silence, or your fear? In this episode of The Bad Roman Project, Craig sits down with Ara Torosian, an Iranian-born Armenian pastor who grew up under the Islamic Republic of Iran, served in the underground church, and now pastors Iranian Christians in Los Angeles. Ara shares his journey from reading the Bible in Farsi as a teenager to smuggling Bibles, enduring house arrest, and witnessing the explosive growth of Christianity in Iran. He explains why many Western Christians misunderstand both Iran and the Iranian people, and why the underground church continues to thrive despite decades of persecution. The conversation also turns to the present. Ara discusses Iranian Christian asylum seekers detained by ICE, the challenges facing refugees fleeing persecution, and the responsibility Christians have to speak for those who have no voice. Along the way, Craig and Ara wrestle with difficult questions about war, government power, national loyalty, and what it means to follow Jesus when political solutions seem inadequate. At the heart of the discussion is a reminder that the Christian's ultimate citizenship is not found in America, Iran, or any earthly nation, but in the Kingdom of God. “I'm proud US citizen, but most important, I'm a heaven citizen.” — Ara Torosian Whether discussing persecution abroad or immigration policy at home, this episode calls listeners back to a simple but challenging truth: Jesus is King. Highlights & Takeaways The underground church in Iran continues to grow despite severe persecution. Iranian people should not be confused with the Iranian regime. Following Jesus often comes with a cost that Western Christians rarely consider. Christians are called to show mercy before choosing political sides. The church must resist the temptation to place political leaders above Christ. Refugees and asylum seekers are people, not political talking points. The Kingdom of God transcends every earthly nation and political movement. No King but Christ. 📖 For Full Show Notes: http://thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-162 🤝Connect with Ara Torosian🤝 Instagram: Ara Torosian, @aratorosian (Instagram) Facebook: Ara Torosian (Facebook) Church connection: Cornerstone West Los Angeles / Farsi-speaking community; Ara has written publicly for the church about war, immigration struggle, and his congregation’s pain. (cornerstonewla.org) Related reporting: Christianity Today covered one Iranian Christian connected to Ara’s church being freed after nine months in immigration detention. (Christianity Today) Related reporting: Religion News Service covered Ara’s hunger strike and advocacy for detained Iranian Christians. (RNS) Related reporting: Reuters covered immigration arrests of Iranian asylum seekers in Los Angeles and Ara’s response as pastor. (Reuters) Key Moments: (00:00) Government oppression and Iranian Christians (00:37) Meeting Ara (02:01) Ara’s background (03:32) Discovering the Bible in Farsi (04:06) Childhood under government propaganda (07:00) Pressure on Christians in Iran (10:17) Following Jesus when it costs (11:28) Smuggling Bibles into Iran and house arrest (12:43) The underground church grows (15:03) People versus regimes (17:10) War, freedom, and mixed Iranian views (30:57) Craig presses the Jesus question (33:32) Ara’s struggle with war and peace (34:46) Presenting, not protesting (35:37) Government worship in churches (37:03) Politics inside the church (48:38) ICE arrests and asylum seekers (52:03) Masked agents and trauma (54:00) Broken immigration system (55:44) Children praying for their dad (56:08) Speaking because he can (58:00) What Chri