Strategic Iranian partner effectively ministers to the Persian-speaking world
Elam Ministries established Elam College (ELAM), a Persian-speaking residential Bible college, to train Iranian Christians and strengthen and expand the Church in Iran and beyond. For over 10 years, ELAM has provided a two to three year high level, intensive training program in Bible, Theology and Missions. The focus is completely geared toward the Iranian culture: The college is led by Iranian Christian leaders; most teachers are Iranian; the environment and culture are Iranian; students’ practical and mission work is done with Iranians; and classes and materials are in Persian.
ELAM’s headquarters are based near London, England, because it is not possible to train future ministers from non-Christian backgrounds in a residential setting in Iran or other parts of the region. However, students maintain their Iranian culture and are able to effectively minister to Iranians.
Iranians can also be trained through growing correspondence courses developed at the college at one of three levels: discipleship, lay leadership or college level. Developed in 2002, the Media Center makes courses accessible through video and DVD (called Kalameh TV; Kalameh means “the word”) and greatly enhances ELAM’s training by extension program. The video courses can also be used by local churches in Iran and other parts of the Persian-speaking world to help train others.
A key component of Elam Ministries’ strategy is equipping the Church in Iran with Bibles and other resources needed for effective ministry; therefore, the ministry is involved in Bible translation, production and distribution. The New Testament has been translated to modern Persian, while work continues on the Old Testament. Elam Ministries also translates and produces evangelistic, discipleship and theological books into Persian, in addition to its popular quarterly Christian magazine called Kalameh.
With over 120 graduates, ELAM says their training programs are producing healthy leaders who graduate with a greater love for Christ and the Church, a strong Biblical and theological foundation and a commitment to continued learning. Graduates have advanced skills in evangelism and Scripture distribution, and ELAM continues to provide resources to alumni for ministry.
