Southeastern Seminary and Mojdeh Ministry Host Conference for Farsi-Speaking Christians

Training more than 3,500 students worldwide, Southeastern’s Persian Leadership Development (PLD) program equips Persian church leaders biblically and theologically to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission. Serving in regions hostile to the gospel, many of these students are refugees, immigrants, and citizens under daily persecution because of their faith.

As a likeminded ministry partner, Mojdeh Ministry helps to curate theological education and create resources to strengthen and equip the Persian church for spiritual growth and faithful ministry. Started in 2017 by Kambiz Saghaey, director of Southeastern’s PLD program, Mojdeh regularly hosts live events like this week’s conference to facilitate in-person training.

“In terms of the partnership between Southeastern and Mojdeh, the value of live events like these cannot be overestimated,” commented John Ewart, professor of missions and pastoral leadership and associate vice president for Global Theological Initiatives and ministry centers at Southeastern. “These conferences provide orthodox, conservative biblical training that would be inaccessible otherwise. They also allow students a unique opportunity to gather and learn together, which is a rare privilege in regions where security concerns often keep students isolated.”

During Thursday’s first two sessions, Edwin Keshish Abnous, adjunct professor at Southeastern, taught on the necessity and importance of indigenization and contextualization for theology and ministry. Offering an alternative perspective, Mansour Khajepour, a pastor, Mojdeh board member, and adjunct professor at Southeastern, addressed the challenges and dangers of indigenization and contextualization.

Concluding Thursday’s session, Iraj Hemati, a pastor and adjunct professor at Southeastern, offered an introduction to theological themes in the New Testament and gave instructions for faithful interpretation of the New Testament, focusing on Romans as a case study.

On Friday, Danny Akin, president of Southeastern, guided attendees verse by verse through 1, 2, and 3 John, highlighting how he would interpret and teach the book in the context of the local church. Akin also addressed themes in John’s letters, noting how John inextricably links Christology to other doctrines — including the doctrines of sin and assurance of salvation in his first letter.

“John wrote his Gospel so that we might have eternal life in Jesus, and he wrote his first letter so that we might have assurance of this eternal life in Jesus,” Akin reminded attendees. “In his first letter, John provides us with three tests that give us assurance: right belief, obedience to the commands of God, and loving God and loving one another.”

During Friday’s afternoon sessions, Akin explained the structure, message, and themes of 2 and 3 John, encouraging attendees to grow in their knowledge and love of the truth in Christ — a major theme in 2 John. Summarizing 2 and 3 John, Akin noted that knowing and loving the truth requires Christians to guard against the presence of evil in the Church and to support and commend those who are faithful to Christ.

“2 John is about entertaining the wrong people, and 3 John is about entertaining the right people,” observed Akin.

This week’s training conference represents Southeastern’s ongoing commitment to global theological education and its desire to connect with students for in-person training. Teaching students to treasure and proclaim God’s word, the conference not only promoted rich Christian community but also encouraged robust biblical doctrine in a region with a profound need for both of these blessings.

“Theological education is going to take place all around the world because Christians want to learn, and they will seek out information and resources wherever they can be found,” noted Ewart. “The aim of Mojdeh Ministry and Southeastern’s Global Theological Initiatives is for Christians around the world to have access to orthodox, biblically sound theological education.”

To learn more about the PLD program and Southeastern’s other people initiatives or to find out how you can support these efforts, visit sebts.edu/gti.