Meet the Iranian refugee who set up the world's first Persian Methodist Church in Australia

The Iranian Church for Christ in Melbourne is the first and only independent Persian Methodist Church in the world and its founder runs a food program to assist people who arrived in Australia just as he did - as a refugee.

Pastor John Smith arrived in Australia with his wife in 2012, holding a degree in IT from his homeland Iran. 

Eight years on, he now works full time running his own ministry in Melbourne where he preaches and teaches Bible Study and Discipleship Classes weekly. 

While his story may seem unassuming, the former refugee's path to Australia was fraught with danger.

He was born into a Muslim family and made the difficult decision to convert to Christianity in Iran, and eventually changed his name.

A service at his church in Melbourne. Source: Pastor John Smith

The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran recognises Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism as official religions. 

Article 13 of the country’s constitution recognises individuals of these faiths as “People of the Book” and they are granted the right to exercise religious freedom. 

However, the government does not ensure the right of citizens who change or renounce their religious faith. 

As a converted Christian, Pastor Smith said he was forced to run what he called a “house church”, an underground church for those who wanted to practice Christian rituals away from the eyes of the Iranian government.

Iranian Church for Christ. Source: Pastor John Smith

As it's apostasy, or more specifically, as the conversion from Islam is punishable by death, he decided to leave Iran with Australia in his sights.  

While working at a church in Australia, he began studying Christian theology in 2013, and two years later, he managed to establish the first and only independent Persian Methodist Church in the world called the Iranian Church for Christ. 

The church is in Dandenong, a suburb 29km south-east of the Melbourne CBD.  

In addition to the weekly services, the church offers a service called, Food Aid Ministry. 

The program aims to provide food packages for asylum seekers approved by AMES and other refugee advocacy organisations.

کلیسای ایرانیان برای مسیح Source: Pastor John Smith

Those who receive packages are from a variety of backgrounds and religions. 

“Since 2015, we had distributed many food packs. The ministry started off with 50 packs monthly,” he told SBS Persian. 

“Now we are supporting 50-60 families per month. We hope to achieve helping to more than 200 individuals or families monthly in the near future.”

As a former refugee, Pastor Smith believes he’s in the best position to help.  

“Since I came to Australia as a refugee, I am aware of the difficulties that refugees are facing. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, things have been worse for them. Notwithstanding the fact that the situation is tough for everyone, we are trying to show that humanity is alive.

Food packages as part of the church aid initiative. Source: Pastor John Smith

“Asylum seekers leave their countries for different reasons. They have sought refuge in Australia."    

Acknowledging the difficulties that refugees face and considering the pandemic, Pastor Smith calls on those in Australia to “Not be disappointed and keep continuing their faith”, while affirming that “These days will be over soon”.