Jesus People Podcast: Episode 56
Imprisoned in Iran for Smuggling 20,000 Bibles (Then Revival Broke Out): Maryam Rostampour
Air date: January 27, 2026
Guest: Maryam Rostampour
Host: Ryan Miller

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode features Maryam Rostampour, an Iranian-born Christian who was imprisoned in Iran for smuggling and distributing 20,000 New Testaments. Maryam shares her powerful journey from searching for truth in a nominal Muslim family, to encountering Jesus, risking her life to share the Gospel, leading secret house churches, enduring brutal imprisonment, and seeing revival break out among prisoners and even guards. She also speaks to the current climate in Iran, the persecution of Christians, ongoing protests, and encourages listeners to act in prayer and advocacy for the Iranian people.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

Maryam’s Encounter with Jesus & Call to Ministry

• Early Life and Spiritual Hunger

  • Grew up in Iran in a nominal Muslim family; most Iranians are “Muslim” in name only (02:26).
  • Always searching for truth and a way to communicate with God; received a booklet of the Gospel of Luke from her sister (02:54).
  • Reading the booklet brought an intense, tangible encounter with Jesus:

    “For three hours I was in my room just reading … and every word I was reading, I could feel that Jesus was standing right in front of me, speaking the words to my heart.” (03:06)

• Initial Steps of Faith and Evangelism

  • Immediate desire to share Jesus with others—even with a limited knowledge of Christianity (04:30).
  • Pastors sent her to Turkey to study theology and leadership because it was unsafe in Iran (05:25).

Partnering with Marzi and the Bible Smuggling Operation

• Divine Partnership

  • Met Marzi in Turkey; both felt called to evangelize and serve Iranians (06:38).
  • Returned to Iran together without a clear plan, trusting God’s leading (06:49).

• Distributing 20,000 New Testaments

  • Worked with a ministry in London that smuggled New Testaments into Iran (08:56).
  • Stored up to 2,000 Bibles at a time in their basement; distributed nightly in backpacks around Tehran and other cities (09:09).
  • Systematic approach—using a map of Tehran, praying over each area after distribution (09:34).
  • Risked exposure each night, but “we had Jesus with us every night” (11:58).

• Leading House Churches and Reaching Marginalized Women

  • Led multiple house churches, including one for widows involved in “temporary marriage,” a state-sanctioned abuse likened to prostitution (13:41).
  • Brought the love of Jesus and practical help to these deeply marginalized women (15:00).

“It was just the two of us. We had Jesus. I believe we had Jesus with us every night we were going out.” — Maryam (11:58)

Arrest, Interrogation, and Imprisonment in Evin Prison

• Arrest and Solitary Confinement

  • Arrested in 2009 after being lured to a police station under false pretenses (15:25).
  • Apartment searched, Bibles and Christian materials confiscated (15:33).
  • Endured 40 days in solitary confinement in the notorious Evin prison, undergoing daily seven- to eight-hour interrogations while blindfolded (00:00, 16:40, 18:30).
  • Pressured to renounce Christ and give up other Christians; refused to betray their faith (17:15).

• Conditions in Detention

  • Filthy, cold, inhumane facilities—concrete floors, reeking blankets, lack of medical care, insufficient food (21:36).
  • Experienced both spiritual and physical trauma, but also saw opportunity:

    “After the first few days, when we had the opportunity to get together with other prisoners in that cell and listen to their stories … we realized God had a purpose for sending us to that dark place.” (18:54)

• Ministry Within Prison Walls

  • Found themselves among women—some as young as 15—arrested for prostitution or murder, most of whom were actually victims of the regime and poverty (24:22).
  • Led small gatherings for prayer and support; witnessed women encounter Christ (27:55).

“When you see the pain of people and what they go through in life, it seems like a lot of them were not in control of anything … They ended up in prison. And again, in prison, they were abusing them.” — Maryam (24:43)

Miraculous Moments and God’s Presence in Suffering

• Reaching Guards and Political Prisoners

  • Prayed for a hostile guard who later softened, apologized, and asked for prayer for her sick father (27:55–29:00).
  • Frequent opportunities to pray with prisoners; observed daily miracles and spiritual hunger even among those who appeared least likely to receive hope.

• Powerful Encounters in Solitary Confinement

  • Endured moments of despair and spiritual silence; learned to worship, even loudly, risking additional punishment (31:12).
  • Holy Spirit filled the cell, even affecting a political prisoner roommate, who asked to learn worship songs (32:00).

“God told me something … He said, it’s not about your emotions. Sometimes you feel me, sometimes you don’t, you feel I’m far away, but I’m always close to you.” — Maryam (32:20)

• Influencing Executioners and Guards
  • A prison guard, notorious for punishing prisoners, privately confessed he had dreams of Jesus instructing him to help Maryam and Marzi (34:12).
  • This guard risked his own safety, smuggling in medicine and later inviting them to his house after their release (34:49).

Release, U.S. Asylum, and Continuing Mission

• International Advocacy and Pressure
  • Christian organizations initiated letter-writing campaigns; foreign governments and even the Pope intervened (37:13–38:36).

“There were Christian organizations who encouraged Christians to write letters and send them to prison. … the guards, authorities came to prison to tell us they had a room full of letters…” — Maryam (48:52)

• Release and Exile
  • Iranian authorities, under intense pressure, released them but placed them under house arrest; ultimately forced to flee the country (39:50).
  • After time in Turkey as refugees, Maryam resettled in the U.S., earned advanced degrees, and published “Captive in Iran,” chronicling their story and the plight of Iranian women prisoners (41:00).

CURRENT EVENTS: IRAN’S UPRISING AND MARYAM’S PLEA FOR ACTION

The State of Iran (as of January 2026)

• Ongoing mass protests; thousands reportedly killed in government crackdown (42:50).
• Root causes: not just economic unrest, but deep desire for regime change, freedom, and end of theocracy.
• Widespread communications blackout by the regime, with foreign militias brought in to suppress dissent (45:00).

The Role of the West and Christians

• Expressed gratitude for President Trump’s public support; noted the tangible boost such encouragement gives to Iranians risking their lives (46:43).
• Emphasized that while words matter, action is essential—pressing Western leaders for practical steps, including international pressure and humanitarian attention (48:52).

The Power and Priority of Prayer

• Urged Christians to recognize that this crisis is fundamentally a spiritual battle; prayer is the “most powerful weapon” (53:01).
• Called for prayer for:
  • Courage and unity among Iranians protesting for freedom
  • Protection and boldness for the fast-growing underground church
  • Comfort for families of the murdered
  • Wisdom for world leaders, especially President Trump

Maryam’s Challenge for Listeners

• Pray fervently—for Iran and for Christian leaders (53:01)
• Take Action: Write to elected officials, raise awareness, give to organizations supporting persecuted Christians (57:31)
• Share the story and advocate for practical change, both spiritually and civically

“Prayer is very important. But also, as James says, faith without deeds or action is dead. … We need to pray and also take action at the same time.” (54:09)

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “For three hours I was in my room just reading … and every word I was reading, I could feel that Jesus was standing right in front of me, speaking the words to my heart.” — Maryam (03:06)
• “It was just the two of us. We had Jesus. I believe we had Jesus with us every night we were going out.” — Maryam (11:58)
• “We realized that God had a purpose for sending us to that dark place.” — Maryam (18:54)
• “God told me … ‘It’s not about your emotions. Sometimes you feel me, sometimes you don’t … but I’m always close to you.’” — Maryam (32:20)
• “There were Christian organizations who encouraged Christians to write letters and send them to prison … they had a room full of letters.” — Maryam (48:52)
• “Pray, pray, because I believe in the power of prayers more than the power of politicians, more than the power of the United States or international community.” — Maryam (53:01)
• “Prayer is what moves the heart of God. … Faith that moves to action, and you’re a picture of that.” — Ryan (57:31)
• “Please, Jesus, be their comfort these days. … I believe that your power is higher than any other power in this world. And we pray against the enemy’s power over Iran.” — Maryam (closing prayer, 64:00)

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [02:26] – Maryam’s upbringing and first encounter with Jesus
• [06:38] – Meeting Marzi, returning to Iran to evangelize
• [08:56] – Logistics and risk of distributing 20,000 Bibles
• [13:41] – Ministry to women in temporary marriages (prostitution)
• [15:25] – Arrest, initial shock, and interrogations
• [18:20] – 40 days of solitary confinement
• [21:36] – Harsh realities of prison life in Iran
• [24:22] – Stories of incarcerated women and regime’s abuse
• [27:55] – Guard’s transformation and prayer for prisoners
• [31:06] – Solitary worship and powerful spiritual encounters
• [34:12] – Guard’s dream about Jesus and secret assistance
• [37:13] – How international attention led to their release
• [42:50] – Current (2026) crisis in Iran and the regime’s crackdown
• [53:01] – Prayer and practical tools for listeners
• [60:35] – Maryam’s final prayer for Iran, American Christians, and world leaders

PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS FOR LISTENERS

• Pray for Iran, its people, and its Christians—daily and urgently.
• Share the story: Use your platform (social media, conversation, church) to spread awareness.
• Write and call your politicians to urge them to advocate for Iranian human rights.
• Support Bible-smuggling and relief missions.
• Read “Captive in Iran” to learn more (link in show notes).
• Take faith-driven action—combine prayer with advocacy and giving.

A Story of Faith—In Chains and in Freedom:
Maryam’s message is clear: even amid the darkest suffering, the love and power of Jesus can break through, bring hope to the lost, and even spark revival inside prison walls. Her story is a testament to the strength of faith and the necessity for global Christian solidarity for the persecuted church and the people of Iran.