For years, the internet has been a powerful tool for ministry in and to Iran. Evangelism, discipleship, worship, Bible teaching, counselling and mentoring have all flourished through digital platforms, strengthening and expanding the Church in remarkable ways.

But what happens when that access suddenly disappears?

A New Digital Landscape

In early 2026, Iran was cut off from the global internet. As often happens during periods of unrest or war, the regime exerted its right to what it calls “internet sovereignty.”

In practice, this created a two-tier system for months. A small number of approved, heavily vetted individuals could apply for global internet access to serve economic or institutional needs. Everyone else was confined to Iran’s internal network—the National Information Network (NIN)—where content is tightly monitored and controlled. The nation was, for all intents and purposes, digitally isolated.

While access to the global internet has been partially restored, it remains more heavily filtered than ever before. And the government may choose to cut it off again entirely at any moment.

The Challenges for Ministry

The impact on ministry when the internet goes dark is immediate—and deeply felt.

Online content that might otherwise reach thousands—Bible teaching, worship and evangelistic media—reaches far fewer. Believers and seekers face difficulty accessing online Scriptures, discipleship tools and Christian apps.

Relationships that once flourished online—between leaders inside Iran and mentors abroad—become harder to sustain. Communication via limited mobile networks is possible, but it is often brief, infrequent and unpredictable.

Yet these restrictions also bring an important truth into sharp focus: people are the heart of ministry.

The heart of ministry to Iran has never been technology—it has always been people: believers gathering in person, sharing Scripture, discipling one another and reaching others with the love of Christ.

So, while it is wise to use the internet whenever it is available, strengthening the Church in ways that are not reliant upon it must remain centre stage.

Preparing the Church Beyond the Internet

Training Leaders

For over three decades, leaders have been trained to serve the Iranian Church—from church planters to worship leaders to disciple-makers.

Ongoing investment in this area remains vital. As external input becomes less dependable, local leaders carry increasing responsibility, serving with courage, wisdom and resilience.

Providing Scriptures

Long-term efforts to translate, print and distribute the Bible mean that millions of Persian New Testaments and Bibles are already in circulation.

As digital access remains unreliable, the importance of physical Scriptures only grows—for personal faith, for discipleship and for sharing the Gospel with others.

Facilitating In-Person Fellowship

Each of Elam’s ministry initiatives encourages believers to gather regularly in person whenever possible.

Though risky in a closed country like Iran, gathering around God’s Word is where growth happens. When the internet goes dark, these relationships endure and sustain.

Broadcasting Hope Into Iran

When the internet goes dark, satellite television remains a way to reach Iran from outside. For decades, it has enabled the broadcast of Bible teaching, worship and evangelistic content into homes across the country—something the government cannot control or prevent.

In early 2026, a worship event in Europe co-led by Elam’s Time for Worship team was broadcast into Iran by satellite.

One believer, Leila, traumatised and struggling with suicidal thoughts after all she had witnessed in the January massacres, came across the programme. For hours, she worshipped along with tears.

In that time, God ministered to her, renewing her hope and strength. Afterwards, Leila determined once more to serve those around her with the love of Christ.

While satellite TV cannot replace personal discipleship or local church life, it remains a powerful tool. More broadcasts are planned this year to reach and encourage people across Iran who, like Leila, are urgently looking for hope.

The Foundations Remain the Same

Should another internet blackout be imposed in the future—which seems likely—the challenges would return.

Yet the Church will not be without hope. The tools would shift. Reaching people at scale would become more difficult. But the foundations of the Church would remain the same.

People gathering with people. Leaders equipping believers. Christians sharing Scripture. Communities worshipping and praying together. And, wherever possible, technology being used to strengthen what is already happening on the ground.

When the internet goes dark, the Church does not disappear.

Thank you for standing with us so that, together, we can continue to shine hope into the darkness.

This article originally appeared in the latest edition of Iran & Beyond. Explore more stories and updates from the Church in Iran and the wider region.

Read more in Iran & Beyond: https://www.elam.com/newmagazine

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