Last Sunday I was privileged to baptize my first Iranian person (see baptismal certificate). After the Persian-language Divine Service there was a reception—also to celebrate the belated birthday of Zion Hamburg’s pastor, Rev. Bernhard Schütze. The fellowship hall was packed. To my amazement, several people pressed up to me to request a brand-new baptismal instruction class—namely, for a young woman (together with her a 5-month-old baby) and an unrelated man. Thank you, dear Holy Spirit, for working in the hearts of people around the globe! On a different note, what struck me was that church attendance that morning had almost doubled. Certainly, this could have been due to the Baptism. But the young man who was baptized does not have any family here in Hamburg. I am more inclined to think that the jump in attendance was due to a totally different matter. Our parishioners continue to be mesmerized by the developments in their homeland. For over two weeks now, Iranians back home and around the world—in Hamburg as well—have been organizing demonstrations to protest the brutal regime strangling their homeland since 1979. People are agitated, fearful, and perplexed—yet also hopeful. Where do you receive comfort when consumed by mixed emotions? From your psychologist? Barber or hairdresser? Candy Crush? In times of joy, times of thanksgiving—in all times in between—but especially in times of crisis, believers gravitate toward the house of God. Remember how churches across America were packed right after 9/11? Praise God that even thousands of miles away from their homeland, in faithful churches the world over, Iranian Christians can receive the gifts of Word and Sacrament, which alone impart our triune God’s forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God!” (Ps 84:1-2).
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