Jesus People Podcast, Episode 56:
Guest: Maryam Rostampour
Host: Ryan Miller
Air Date: January 26, 2026
Title: Maryam Rostampour: Imprisoned in Iran for Smuggling 20,000 Bibles (Then Revival Broke Out)

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of the Jesus People Podcast, host Ryan Miller sits down with Maryam Rostampour, a Christian activist and author who was imprisoned in Iran for her role in smuggling over 20,000 Bibles into the country. The conversation explores Maryam's journey of faith, the perils and miracles she experienced in Iranian prison, and how spiritual revival can break out under the most unlikely circumstances. This episode is a testament to courage, resilience, and the unbreakable power of faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maryam’s Path to Activism and Faith

• [02:15] Background in Iran

  • Maryam shares about her upbringing in a Muslim family in Iran and her gradual journey toward Christianity as a young adult.
  • Discusses the secretive nature of faith in Iran and initial risks of conversion.

• [05:40] Decision to Smuggle Bibles

  • Describes the passion and calling she felt to make Bibles accessible in a country where they're illegal.
  • “I just knew God was saying, 'Trust me—take this risk for my people.'”
    — Maryam Rostampour [06:22]

2. Arrest and Prison Experience

• [08:10] The Arrest

  • Maryam recounts the harrowing day she and her friend were arrested for their underground work.
  • The fear and uncertainty as they were taken into custody and held in the notorious Evin Prison.

• [10:45] Life Inside Prison

  • Paints a vivid picture of daily life behind bars—lack of basic amenities, constant surveillance, and threats from guards.
  • Memorable moment: She describes singing hymns softly in the darkness of her cell.

• [13:27] Faith Under Pressure

  • Maryam discusses maintaining faith through interrogations and intimidation.
  • “Whatever they threatened us with, I kept repeating to myself—‘I am not alone in this cell. God is here with me.’”
    — Maryam Rostampour [14:10]

3. Revival Within Prison Walls

• [16:05] Faith Spreading Among Inmates

  • Shares how curiosity from fellow prisoners led to Bible studies and prayer circles in secret.
  • “When one woman put her trust in Christ, that hope would ripple through the whole cellblock.”
    — Maryam Rostampour [16:54]

• [18:30] Confrontations and Unexpected Support

  • Anecdote about a guard she initially feared, who quietly encouraged her faith and even asked for prayers for his family.

• [21:12] Moments of Divine Intervention

  • Maryam recalls times when she and her friend were shielded from harsh punishments in inexplicable ways.
  • “The more impossible the situation seemed, the more clearly I saw God’s hand at work.”
    — Maryam Rostampour [21:47]

4. Release and Impact

• [25:30] Unexpected Release

  • Details the emotional rollercoaster of hearing they might be executed, only to be released unexpectedly after 259 days.
  • Reflection on the international pressure and prayers contributing to their freedom.

• [27:55] Lasting Effects on Maryam and the Iranian Church

  • Maryam reflects on the ongoing persecution of Christians in Iran and the strength of the faith community.
  • “We left that prison, but the seeds we planted are still growing.”
    — Maryam Rostampour [28:20]

5. Encouragement to Listeners

• [30:12] Faith, Boldness, and Prayer

  • Offers encouragement for listeners facing their own "prisons"—literal or metaphorical.
  • “No government, no power, can put chains on the Holy Spirit.”
    — Maryam Rostampour [30:48]

• [32:18] Invitation to Pray for Persecuted Believers

  • Maryam asks listeners to remember and pray for those suffering for their beliefs worldwide.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I just knew God was saying, 'Trust me—take this risk for my people.'”
  — Maryam Rostampour [06:22]

• “Whatever they threatened us with, I kept repeating to myself—‘I am not alone in this cell. God is here with me.’”
  — Maryam Rostampour [14:10]

• “When one woman put her trust in Christ, that hope would ripple through the whole cellblock.”
  — Maryam Rostampour [16:54]

• “The more impossible the situation seemed, the more clearly I saw God’s hand at work.”
  — Maryam Rostampour [21:47]

• “We left that prison, but the seeds we planted are still growing.”
  — Maryam Rostampour [28:20]

• “No government, no power, can put chains on the Holy Spirit.”
  — Maryam Rostampour [30:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:15 — Maryam’s faith journey and conversion
• 05:40 — Calling to smuggle Bibles into Iran
• 08:10 — Details of arrest and imprisonment
• 13:27 — Surviving interrogations with faith
• 16:05 — Revival among inmates
• 21:12 — Experiencing divine protection in prison
• 25:30 — Release from prison and aftermath
• 30:12 — Encouragement to those facing hardship
• 32:18 — Final words and call to prayer

Conclusion

Maryam Rostampour’s testimony is a powerful reminder of how faith can transform even the darkest circumstances, spreading hope where it is least expected. Her story offers both a sobering look at Christian persecution and a profound encouragement that spiritual revival cannot be contained by prison walls or oppressive regimes. For anyone facing adversity, this episode urges listeners to hold onto hope and pray boldly.