Faith, Freedom, and Resilience

About Saeed Abedini

Saeed Abedini is one of the most recognized voices for religious freedom in the world today. A pastor, evangelist, and author, he has dedicated his life to sharing the Christian faith and standing up for believers who face persecution. His book, The Truth, captures the full weight of his journey and the convictions that have carried him through.

Born in Iran, Saeed was recruited by Hezbollah at just 14 years old. Watching the corruption of religious authorities up close, he rejected that path entirely. He converted to Christianity at age 20, a capital offense under Islamist Sharia law, and felt an immediate calling to share his faith. He founded dozens of underground house churches across Iran. In January 2013, the Iranian government sentenced him to eight years in prison, citing his efforts to build a Christian network and construct an orphanage in Rasht. After three and a half years of imprisonment, torture, beatings, and death threats, Saeed was released on January 16, 2016, as part of a prisoner exchange between Iran and the Obama administration.

What shaped Saeed most wasn't just the prison walls. It was the encounter with God that called him into ministry in the first place, and the conviction that his story belongs to something far bigger than himself. He describes his purpose plainly: to preach the whole gospel with his whole heart for God's glory. That calling drives his speaking engagements, his humanitarian work with orphanages and refugees, and his ongoing ministry with churches and Christian communities around the world.

Saeed's imprisonment triggered a global outpouring of support, drawing in major political leaders and media outlets across the US, Canada, and beyond. His testimony has been studied and watched by nearly one and a half million people, making a lasting mark on modern Iranian Christian history. Today, Saeed Abedini continues that work as a speaker, author, and advocate, building forward with a vision rooted in faith, service, and the belief that every life can be changed by the truth.