The biography of Pastor Elnathan Baghestani

 He was born in Iran and grew up in a middle class Muslim family. Unfortunately Hisfather started drinking and gambling and life became tough for him as a teenager. At the age of 13 he lost his father and sister in an automobile accident. This incident had a very bad impact on the family emotionally and financially. There were nights when they only had plain bread for dinner.  They lost the house they owned and had to rent a place to live, and This worsened our situation. He had to work and help the family. He got a job in photo lab and it was there he got exposed to all kinds of immorality.

At this time Elnathan heard that there was a new movie on by the name of “Jesus, Son of Mary”. The film had a great impact on him and a spiritual thirst was created within him. He started searching for the truth and  he came across a new religion called “The Family”. The leader of this cult, a Korean named Moon is being worshipped by his followers. This did not satisfy him and his mental and spiritual condition was getting worse. Elnathan began consuming alcohol and drugs but they only comforted him temporarily. He was full of anger and  hated himself. He committed suicide, but he did not die.Disappointment overcame him

One day he and his friend went for a walk and lingered around in the park. When returning they passed a church. His friend suggested that they go in and have some fun. It seemed so strange to him that they could go to church and they speak their language, Farsi. When they went in it was the end of the sermon and after few minutes there was the alter call. The preacher said whoever wants to accept this Godly love should come forward. He did not dare to go because of his friend. But somebody announced that the same preacher would be speaking the following evening. He could not sleep that night. He was thinking about the preacher’s words. The next day after the sermon, he went forward sobbing, even before the alter call. He wept and wept for almost an hour and repented of all his sins. When he got up he felt so light that he knew all his burdens have fallen off. He was a new person. From that night and he still feel so light and fresh in his Lord Jesus. There have been many ups and downs but every time the Lord is faithful to love him, teach him and bring him out to a joy that is his strength.