#109 - From Iran to Canada: The Costly Call of Following Jesus — with Nathanael Fallahi

What does it mean to follow Jesus when obedience costs you everything?

In this powerful episode of The Sowers Podcast, Persian-speaking pastor and church planter Nathanael Fallahi shares his incredible journey from Islamic seminary in Iran, to encountering Jesus in a deeply personal way, to planting underground house churches under intense persecution, and finally to rebuilding life and ministry in Canada.

Nathanael opens up about:

+ His search for the true God and the moment he met Christ

+ Traveling seven hours each way to attend worship in Tehran

+ Serving believers in Iran under government pressure and fear

+ The cost of discipleship for Iranians, refugees, and newcomers

+ The long and painful journey of family separation

+ The birth of a new Persian-speaking church in Toronto

+ How Canadian churches can love and walk with immigrant planters

This episode is an honest, hope-filled look at resilience, persecution, and the faithfulness of Jesus—no matter the cost.

About Nathanael Fallahi:

Nathanael is a Persian-speaking pastor and church planter based in Toronto. He came to faith in Christ after years of spiritual searching and theological study in Iran—where following Jesus came at great cost. Today he serves among Persian-speaking newcomers and refugees, walking alongside individuals and families in discipleship, community, and biblically grounded care. His heart is to see people encounter the true God, find healing in Christ, and become faithful disciples one step at a time.

To learn more about Nathanael Fallahi, please visit: https://www.gbchurches.com/

To learn more about Send Network Canada, please visit: https://www.sendnetwork.ca/

Chapters

00:00 Journey of Faith: From Iran to Canada

05:36 Understanding Iran: A Historical Perspective

08:44 Church Planting Under Persecution

12:15 The Gospel's Transformation Through Suffering

15:19 Reaching Iranian Communities in Canada

20:19 The Role of Community in Church Planting

22:35 Personal Stories of Struggle and Resilience

24:56 Supporting Immigrant Church Planters

27:36 Celebrating New Life: Baptism Stories

29:55 NEWCHAPTER