Hardship, Healing, and House Churches in South Asia

Healed, Delivered, Called: The Remarkable Journey of an Iranian Pastor

Summary:  Iranian pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh shares his remarkable journey from grief, exile, and life‑threatening hardship to encountering Christ, experiencing dramatic healing, and planting vibrant Iranian churches in Australia. He and Don Little explore deliverance from generational bondage, healthy discipleship for Muslim‑background believers, and the importance of mentoring, transparency, and courage in long‑term ministry. Show notes: In this gripping episode of the Reflexio podcast, Don Little interviews Iranian pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh to unpack his dramatic journey from a turbulent youth in Iran, through exile and life‑threatening hardship as an asylum seeker, to radical conversion to Christ, supernatural healing, and bold church planting among Iranian Muslims in Australia.  Pastor Kaveh shares how an illegal Farsi Bible, a storm‑tossed eighteen days on a smuggler’s boat, and a powerful deliverance from generational curses became turning points that reshaped his identity and ignited a dynamic ministry of spiritual liberation, discipleship, and inner healing for Muslim‑background believers.  You’ll hear his remarkable stories of physical healing, emotional restoration, and deep pastoral formation, as well as how Mark Durie’s mentoring and the book Liberty to the Captives have helped forge a healthy Iranian church that breaks cycles of shame, fear, and control. This empowers ordinary believers to flourish, lead, and plant new congregations in Melbourne and Adelaide.  Whether you’re passionate about missions, discipleship, or renewal in the Muslim world, this episode will inspire you to trust God’s bigger purposes, pursue authentic mentoring networks, and courageously step into costly, Spirit‑led ministry without fear. Links: Derek Prince sermon on Breaking Generational Curses [https://www.derekprince.com/sermons/c-5501] Below are several links to Mark Durie’s book: Liberty to the Captives: Freedom from Islam and Dhimmitude through the Cross On Mark Durie’s website: Liberty to the Captives [https://markdurie.com/shop/https://markdurie.com/product/liberty-to-the-captives/] Kindle Version: Liberty to the Captives [https://a.co/d/0bbfZfmC] Paperback on Amazon.com: Liberty to the Captives [https://a.co/d/0cxjYLhc] Liberty to the Captives available in multiple languages at luke4-18.com [http://luke4-18.com] Upcoming Episodes Episode 19: Australian Anglican vicar Rev. Dr. Mark Durie shares how God led him to pastor a congregation of Iranian converts in Sydney and to mentor Pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh (Episode 18). He also tells the story behind his book Liberty to the Captives and explains how its insights are helping believers from a Muslim background step into lasting freedom and live in the full liberty that is theirs in Christ. Episode 20: Hear how God led Samir Afghan to leave a successful career in banking to live by faith and serve Afghans globally. Samir now leads a creative online ministry reaching out to Afghan Muslims in which he hosts live call-in talk shows on Facebook. As an Afghan living in the West, God is using Samir to impact tens of thousands of Afghans both inside and outside of Afghanistan.

Debating Imams, Rescuing Daughters: Ghazala Shafique’s Story

This episode features a remarkable conversation with Ghazala Shafique, Pakistan’s first registered woman pastor and a fearless defender of persecuted minorities. Ghazala recounts her journey to Christ, her struggles with societal rejection, and her commitment to serving and championing the rights of the most vulnerable, especially women and children.  She discusses her ministry’s impact, including public debates with Muslim scholars, rescue operations for kidnapped girls, and the importance of discipling new believers. The episode concludes with Pastor Ghazala’s passionate call for believers worldwide to leave their comfort zones and embrace their responsibility in advancing God’s mission. Follow Up: Watch this compelling documentary produced by Ghazala’s daughter, Sijal: Unheard Voices: Shedding Light on the Forced Conversions & Underage Marriages in Pakistan [https://youtu.be/br-iaHe_TdQ?si=-BQc4TlsZcFCULw9]  Visit the channel of the Christian Debate Academy, led by Aamir Khadim, Ghazala’s son-in-law: YouTube: Christian Debate Academy [https://youtube.com/@christiandebateacademy3955?si=ZEE2mgbbS-XPC10A] Facebook: Christian Debate Academy [https://www.facebook.com/christiandebateacademypakistan/]  You can contact Aamir Khadim directly:aamir.khadim8@gmail.com [aamir.khadim8@gmail.com]  Upcoming Episodes Episode 18: Pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh, leader of a thriving Persian church in Australia, shares his surprising conversion after fleeing Iran and how a key mentor shaped his faith and life. He reveals important insights for forming mature, emotionally healthy believers from Muslim backgrounds in flourishing churches—and how God is now using him to plant multiple Iranian BMB churches. A must-listen for anyone engaging Muslims in the diaspora. Episode 19: Hear how God led Samir Afghan to leave a successful career in banking to live by faith and serve Afghans globally. Samir now leads a creative online ministry reaching out to Afghan Muslims in which he hosts live call-in talk shows on Facebook. As an Afghan living in the West, God is using Samir to impact tens of thousands of Afghans both inside and outside of Afghanistan.

Hardship, Healing, and House Churches in South Asia

Zafrin Billah grew up in a highly respected, deeply devout Muslim family in South Asia and once found “peace” in persecuting Christians. In this episode, he shares with Don his conversion story as well as his call to full-time service in God’s Kingdom.  Today, Zafrin serves as a missionary and pastor, working by faith in a context where over 90% of the population is Muslim and social pressure against Christians is intense. He leads a small, emerging ministry that combines outreach and discipleship with practical training for women from Muslim and Hindu backgrounds. In their training center, they weave together Scripture and gospel-based curricula with income-generating skills. Zafrin trains house church members to be “salt” and “fruitful trees,” to resolve conflict biblically, to live by faith financially, and encourages every believer to make at least two new disciples each year, as they pray for the emergence of many more house churches and partners in prayer. This episode will be an encouragement to anyone serving among Muslims or Hindus. Zafrin’s testimony is evidence of God’s faithfulness in the midst of challenging and difficult circumstances! Maranatha Gospel Church: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNAFa5Eyx/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNAFa5Eyx/] Contact Zafrin by email: maranathagospelchurch.bd@gmail.com [maranathagospelchurch.bd@gmail.com] Upcoming Episodes Episode 17: Don talks with Mrs. Ghazala Shafique, a courageous and passionate Pakistani activist leading multiple efforts to aid minorities. She rescues child brides, serves the underserved, plants churches, debates high profile Muslim clerics online, and protests injustice. Many have tried to stop her work, which is well known in Pakistan. Don't miss this interview with an incredible woman of God.  Episode 18: Pastor Kaveh Hassanzadeh, leader of a thriving Persian church in Australia, shares his surprising conversion after fleeing Iran and how a key mentor shaped his faith and life. He reveals important insights for forming mature, emotionally healthy believers from Muslim backgrounds in flourishing churches—and how God is now using him to plant multiple Iranian BMB churches. A must-listen for anyone engaging Muslims in the diaspora. Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast [https://www.reflexio.org/] and encourage them to Subscribe [https://www.reflexio.org/#subscribe] to receive an email when new episodes drop!

Peter Macharia’s Apostolic work among Muslims in Sudan, Djibouti, and Coastal Kenya

Kenyan mission leader Peter Macharia never planned to become an apostolic catalyst to some of the least-reached Muslims in East Africa. In this conversation with Don Little, he traces a surprising journey that runs through war-torn Sudan, high-risk ministry in Djibouti, and a creative outreach hub on the coast of Kenya. Peter has wrestled with Western theological teaching that doesn't touch people’s real fears, or address persecution, and discovered why discipleship and costly hospitality cannot be separated. He describes his life and work at Amani Acres, where he and Esther are quietly shaping a new generation of young African leaders to live and witness among Muslim communities. Peter shares his conviction that ordinary believers in places like Africa, Latin America, and Asia are “11th-hour workers” called to live sacrificial, hospitable lives that make disciples among unreached Muslims. If you care about discipleship, cross-cultural mission, or the future of Africans leading ministries to the Muslim world, you will not want to miss the stories, insights, and surprises in this episode. Upcoming Episodes Episode 16: Don interviews Zafrin Billah, a young church planter in South Asia, about his remarkable conversion from a devout Muslim family and his eventual calling into full-time ministry in his own country.  Episode 17: Don talks with Mrs. Ghazala Shafique, a courageous and passionate Pakistani activist leading multiple efforts to aid minorities. She rescues child brides, serves the underserved, plants churches, debates high profile Muslim clerics online, and protests injustice. Many have tried to stop her work, which is well known in Pakistan. Don't miss this interview with an incredible woman of God. Let your friends know about The Reflexio Podcast [https://www.reflexio.org/] and encourage them to Subscribe [https://www.reflexio.org/#subscribe]!

Nelson Makanda’s Journey into training Christ‑Centered African Leaders

Don talks with Dr. Nelson Makanda about how God formed him from a village boy in western Kenya into a leader serving churches and institutions across Africa. Nelson recalls his family’s coming to faith, his mother’s healing, and how early discipleship in a small Pentecostal church and student leadership in high school and university began to shape his character and calling. He goes on to describe how his involvement with FOCUS Kenya [https://www.focuskenya.org/], including mentoring relationships and early ministry roles, helped clarify his calling and opened doors into wider responsibility. The conversation traces key transitions from student ministry to pastoral work, to leadership of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya [https://eakenya.org/], and now to his role as Vice Chancellor at Africa International University [https://www.aiu.ac.ke/] (AIU). Nelson emphasizes AIU’s mission to train Christ-centered leaders, for the church and for the marketplace. He discusses the unique context of Africa as the “Christian continent of the future,” highlighting the need for ethical, missional, and global training for young people. He explains why a deep understanding of Scripture, Christlike character, and a well-rounded Christian education are important for the future of the church in Africa and its role in the world. Upcoming Episodes Episode 15: Don is delighted to introduce you to his friend, Peter Macharia, a Kenyan pioneer missionary serving among Muslims in East Africa. Peter leads a church planting ministry among unreached Muslim peoples on the Kenyan coast. Episode 16: Zafrin Billah, a young church planter in South Asia, talks with Don about his remarkable conversion from a devout Muslim family, and how God eventually called him into full-time ministry in his own country.  Make sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform. Sign up for our newsletter at reflexio.org/subscribe [http://reflexio.org/subscribe] to receive an email when new episodes drop.