Between two Irans

In this powerful special edition of The World and Everything in It, host Myrna Brown interviews David Nassar, an Iranian-born Christian pastor, author, and refugee whose life was upended by the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As a nine-year-old, Nassar witnessed the violent upheaval of his homeland, including his father being dragged from their home and a near-execution at school—all in the name of religion. Fleeing Iran with his family, he found refuge in America, where he endured isolation, bullying, and emotional neglect as a foreigner in Texas. His journey toward faith began not through doctrine, but through the quiet acts of kindness from Christians who served in his father’s restaurant, ultimately leading to his conversion in high school. Over time, his entire family embraced Christianity, a spiritual transformation Nassar sees as the fruit of the very revolution that uprooted them. Now, decades later, he watches with hope as Iran faces new unrest, believing that God is using current events to awaken hearts to the gospel—especially among young Iranians. Nassar shares a prophetic vision of a future Iran where thousands worship God in a soccer stadium, singing worship songs in Farsi, and he expresses a deep calling to serve there, not as a leader, but as a humble servant. He concludes with a passionate defense of American citizenship as a gift, not a right, and calls for a balanced, compassionate approach to immigration rooted in gratitude and shared values. Key takeaways include: 1) God can redeem even the most traumatic events for good; 2) Acts of quiet service often plant the seeds of transformation; 3) True belonging comes not from fitting in, but from being seen and valued; 4) The gospel can flourish in the most unexpected places, especially during times of crisis; 5) National identity and citizenship should be honored with humility, not entitlement; 6) The most powerful voices for change may come from the next generation; 7) Prayer and faith can shape history in ways we cannot yet see; 8) Compassion and truth must walk hand in hand in public discourse.