When Mahsa Amini was killed in 2022 for wearing her hijab incorrectly, removing a hijab became a symbolic protest in Iran.

This September, Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, criticized Iran’s hijab laws, saying, “Human beings have a right to choose.”

Around the same time that Iranian parliament member Mohammad Reza Bahonar said that hijab laws are not enforceable.

Denise Godwin from International Media Ministries says that people in the West are not aware of the different protests because they are seen as quiet. But after the confrontation with Israel this summer, arrests seemed to rise.

In some areas, businesses are being persecuted for selling to women without hijabs. In a culture like this, families may pressure women to wear them, as it could result in repercussions for neighbors.

“I think there are a lot of cultural norms that they’re up against as well in this situation,” Godwin says. “Bravo, them that are trying to take Iran, Persia, back to what it was.”

Before the last 40 years, Iran was a more secular Islamic State. Where in the 1970s people wore western-style clothing, nowadays, not wearing socks is a violation of nudity and chastity laws.

Godwin says, beyond the freedom to choose whether to wear a hijab or not, people need freedom of religion.

“Freedom to choose whether you’re going to be Islamic, even if you were born into an Islamic family. That’s not an option in Islamic countries,” she says.

As other countries also vie for human rights Godwin says, “I think it’s an incredible time in the world as we know it, to see these things changing almost daily before our eyes, and pray for powers of darkness to be thrown down, that that truth will have an opportunity, that Jesus Christ and the salvation of God can even have a chance to get into a lot of these places in the world.”

The work of IMM is a tool for this and is sending the message of God around the world before missionaries or people can. As they supply people with education and exposure, Godwin says it’s important to get the Christian message out. If believers don’t send messages out, others will.

IMM has finished filming their series Esther: Queen of Hope in Farsi. IMM had received requests for the project before, and they see now that the timing of the message is strategic.

Esther, Queen of the Persians, once represented her nation in need, just as Iran is in need today.

IMM creates a new series about the story of Esther. Photo Provided by IMM.

In Esther’s day, women could take on roles like judges and landowners.

King Cyrus was the first of the Persian Empire to implement religious freedom. He essentially said, “We’re not going to obliterate and relocate everybody. As long as you are an obedient citizen, pay your taxes, and don’t cause trouble, you can continue with your God and your religion,” Godwin says.

“That’s what makes the Esther story so remarkable, because it wasn’t in the DNA of the Persian Empire to obliterate a bunch of people for no particular reason, [when] they were not in an uprising,” Godwin says.

Godwin says that when Haman tried to punish the Jewish people, Esther didn’t just save her own people. She saved all the Persians from this controlling law.

These stories seem to resonate more as history repeats itself.

“I’m meeting people from outside the country who have mostly escaped due to political or religious persecution,” Godwin says. “These people all say that the regime is not Iran, it is not Iranians, it doesn’t represent them, and that they do look forward to a time when there can be friendship and peace between Israel and Iran.”

IMM is also working to make children’s programs, creating opportunities to instill biblical and critical thinking.

When people leave the Islamic faith, they often turn to atheism first, but struggle with giving up on the concept of God. When they meet Jesus, it becomes a huge revelation.

Please pray for the opportunities these people have through the media. Pray for people on the ground who are evangelizing despite the risk of persecution. As tension continues between Israel and Iran, pray for the people in these countries who want peace.

Pray that people in Iran will receive human rights and an end to persecution, and that people will hear about salvation and know the truth of Jesus Christ. Pray for peace in this region and for the Middle East to change in ways that reflect Jesus Christ.

Header Image by mostafa meraji from Pixabay

In the weeks since Nepal’s turnover, Gen Z protests have occurred in the Philippines, Madagascar, Peru, and Morocco. Since 2024, Serbia and Kenya have also experienced anti-government demonstrations. The motivations have varied within each nation, but all have the theme of young adults who want to see corruption removed from their countries.

“I think the soul knows when things are wrong. You feel compassion for these people [who are] living in countries where the situation has gotten to the point that even these young people are like, ‘Hey, that’s corruption, and that’s not okay,'” says Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries. She adds that if God intervenes, “this is a generation that could hold people to account and ask for a government that takes care of their people.”

Nepalese Gen Z protesters in front of Bharatpur city corporation office (Photo courtesy of हिमाल सुवेदी via Wikimedia Commons, Own work – CC BY-SA 4.0)

Godwin sees a parallel between these recent events and the Arab Spring of the early 2010s. Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and Syria all experienced uprisings — some leading to changes in government, others to division or civil war.

“Some of these people live in places [where] it is a danger to them to be having these protests. [This is a generation] that’s pretty fed up with corruption, that’s pretty fed up with the restrictions of governments that have chosen to subjugate people, either via religion or governance. [It] seems like they’re using different reasons for the protests, but I think the essence is the same,” says Godwin.

“I’ve spoken to Egyptians who say, ‘Oh,  the corruption is right back where it was at the Arab Spring. It’s just [under] different names.'”

Watch and pray that there are no arbitrary crackdowns on young demonstrators. Last month, Nepal’s demonstrations turned violent, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people. In Madagascar, at least 22 people were killed. Danger is always present, for both protestors and law enforcement.

“It’s an important thing that they’re birthing. They’re aware of corruption, they’re aware of injustice, but can it be channeled into something besides chaos or anarchy?” says Godwin. 

Ask God for more than just lives to be spared. 

“What we’re seeing in Gen Z is a spiritual reawakening. It may not be necessarily focused on Jesus Christ, but there is a spiritual hunger in this generation,” says Godwin. “This is a really important time for Christians to be praying for God to use these disruptions of protests in people’s lives to bring them to salvation in Jesus.”

Pray that Gen Z’s actions in these nations will result in good changes. But remember that only God can truly end abuse and deception on earth.  

“We can think we’re immune in some place[s], but corruption goes back to original sin,” says Godwin. “We are surrounded by humans who are vulnerable to taking advantage of others.”

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Ali Haghighi via Unsplash.

The Convention of National Cooperation to Save Iran, July 26, 2025 in Munich, Germany (Photo by Mazi for IMM)

Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries, says seven actors from their upcoming film Esther: Queen of Hope participated in the summit. 

“The Persian Empire — which [corresponds to] modern-day Iran — believed in allowing people [they conquered] to keep their own religion,” said Godwin. “Basically, the Persian people of today are saying, ‘We want to go back to what we were, where we could choose.’” 

During the filming for Esther, the June Israel-Iran conflict broke out. The IMM crew prayed with the Iranian actors throughout production. Godwin said not all of the team are believers in Christ, but they all believed in the story of Esther and in a free Iran, “because it gives people the choice of freedom of religion.”

“It was marvelous to get to know them and stand with them in this idea of freedom of religion, of sharing the freedom of God back into Iran through Esther,” said Godwin.

She felt like the team was observing world history unfold this summer. “[The summit is] not making the news, but this could completely change the face of the Middle East,” she said. 

“[The crown prince] made a point of saying, We’re not asking the West to do this for us. We’re asking them to stand with us as we see this regime fall.”

Political change is a fragile process. But with freedom comes greater opportunity for the Gospel to spread. So please pray! 

“Let’s pray with Iranians that the country [gains] freedom of choice, freedom of religion and freedom of speech,” said Godwin. “What an opportunity to stand with brothers and sisters in Christ and pray for that kind of change in the region!” 

 (Photo by Mazi for IMM)

Header photo: Reza Pahlavi at The Convention of National Cooperation to Save Iran, July 26, 2025 in Munich, Germany (Photo by Mazi for IMM)

The International Criminal Court says the Taliban’s supreme leader and chief justice implemented policies that amount to gender apartheid. Since reclaiming power in Afghanistan four years ago, the Taliban has removed girls from school and banned women from public life.

“I don’t imagine the Taliban think they’re doing anything other than adhering to their worldview,” Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries says.

“They need to have the light of Christ shown into their hearts to redeem a carnal nature that has shunted aside half of their population.”

Christians in Afghanistan face some of the harshest persecution in the world. The country remains one of the most dangerous places to be a follower of Jesus, largely because Islam is deeply interwoven with Afghan identity and society.

The situation has become even more dire with the Taliban’s resurgence, as the regime’s strict interpretation of Islam allows no room for religious freedom. Despite these dangers, a small underground Church continues to exist, clinging to hope and faith under constant threat.

(Photo courtesy of IMM)

International Media Ministries creates Gospel-centered media in over 70 languages. View current projects here. IMM’s materials help to encourage secret believers in closed countries and introduce the hope of Christ to people in despair.

“I know people working very clandestinely to help Afghanistan, and have mentioned, could we maybe do some of these Women of the Bible stories into some of the languages for Afghanistan? And I’m praying that we can,” Godwin says.

“The women can’t leave their homes, so media is a principal way to get them a message that they are precious in the eyes of God, no matter what the Taliban says.”

Ask the Lord to provide for groups like International Media Ministries that are helping people from a distance.

“Pray and call God’s power into the situation, that there could be escape and freedom for these women, for the people who are lied to by Islam,” Godwin requests.

Header image depicts a Taliban member in Kabul circa 2022. (Wikimedia Commons)

“The story of Esther is one woman standing up to reconcile the Persians to their own laws, their own values, as well as to help the Persians and the Jewish people come back together. So telling that to the actors has brought tears on set, and discussions that are just amazing,” says Denise Godwin of International Media Ministries (IMM).

IMM is producing a miniseries about the story of Esther as a message of hope for Iran. The film project includes people from eight different countries and common roots in the Persian culture, but wildly varying backgrounds and challenges. 

“One young man’s brother was killed by the current Iranian regime. A young woman who is Persian but grew up in Israel and feels Israeli in her heart had her friend killed in front of her at an event when a bomb fell,” Godwin says.

(Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries)

“So we’re dealing with people who’ve experienced the opposite of reconciliation, if you will, in real life, and different people who have struggled in rejecting Islam but aren’t sure what they want to embrace.”

In the face of global upheaval involving their countries of origin, the cast of Esther: Queen of Hope is experiencing connection and reconciliation at a personal level, as they hear the biblical story of Esther and the ways it ties into their Persian heritage. 

“When you look at all the personalities and the cultures and also just our own physical challenges to do this, it’s pretty incredible,” Godwin says. “It’s amazing that God can overcome political barriers, even for people. We just have to keep our faith to believe He’s at work.”

Godwin hopes this project will not only help bring about reconciliation for individuals but also entire nations.

“I think this is an opportunity for both Israel and for Iran to reimagine their relationship once we get this done. Clearly, we have to do editing and things after we film, but I really believe this story can reframe how people think about God and the Bible and how their relationship is between these two giant ancient cultures.”

The project began filming a few weeks ago and will continue over the next two months in varying locations and studios. However, they have faced challenges, particularly with funding. 

“We definitely need your prayers for safety, wisdom, and creativity,” Godwin says. “We need your prayers to make sure the gospel is clear to these people who are involved. And we need funding. This is getting tight with the dollar changing and everything. So keep us in your prayers.”

Click to learn more about the upcoming Esther: Queen of Hope miniseries.

Header photo from Esther: Queen of Hope courtesy of International Media Ministries.

“We are fighting not against flesh and blood, not against the economy, but we are fighting to get the good news out; and the enemy will use anything to slow that down, delay it, discourage us.” 

She says discouragement in the midst of God’s work is not from the Holy Spirit. Still, financial setbacks pose practical problems. For the IMM filming team, America’s dropping dollar has diminished buying power on the filming set in Europe, making this project a journey of faith beyond comfort zones. 

“It seems like we are on this journey where the flood waters are in front of us, and yet God is saying ‘Go forward,’ and we must step in, and He is going to show up,” she says. 

Godwin asks MNN listeners what steps of faith God is asking you to take in your own circumstances. 

“He shows up in ways we can’t think or imagine.” 

On a small and large scale, believers can walk alongside and encourage one another during volatile economic times. 

“I don’t use the word ‘urgent’ very often, but this is it. This is when the Body of Christ comes together,” Godwin says.

In the midst of uncertainty, we must cling to our faith, the promises of God, and the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. 

“Does the economy dictate our faith? Does the exchange rate of the dollar dictate our faith? Do government decisions dictate our faith? Or do we listen to God and what He is calling us to do?” Godwin asks. 

Please pray for the filming team at IMM. Pray for wisdom in financial stewardship, multiplication of buying power in Europe, and for sensitive hearts to help with this effort. 

“We just need God to show up every single day during all 53 days of shooting,” Godwin says. 

Click here to learn more about the Esther miniseries or to financially support its production. 

Images courtesy of IMM

As of Tuesday, the grid operator in Spain had ruled out the possibility of the power failure being a cyber attack. Spain’s prime minister cautioned against making speculations during the investigations, which could lead to misinformation.

Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries (IMM) says, “We sat through a three-hour discussion in somebody’s office with alarms going off today, trying to talk about sets for our upcoming project to be filmed in May, June and July. So it’s definitely been an extraordinary day.”

Esther: Queen of Hope (Photo courtesy of International Media Ministries)

The disruption came at a significant time for IMM, as “we’re very intently trying to get things ready for filming and needing all of our resources to do so,” Godwin says. “So it’s not your ideal situation for moving forward as quickly as you possibly can on a giant project for the Middle East!” 

She says the team has been in prayer and fasting this month because they are in an intense season of ministry. 

“So it’s interesting that the end of April would go out with such flair as we’re praying and fasting and asking God to help us,” she says. “You learn to trust in God in these intense times!”

IMM and other ministries in Spain touch the Middle East, North Africa, Asia with their gospel ministry. Godwin says it’s important that they can communicate digitally with others. 

“But you know, God knows these things are going to happen, and we have to learn even more, even though we’re missionaries, to trust in Him. Pray that we would be strong and that we would be wise to put our energies and our efforts into the right things.”

Learn more about International Media Ministries and their upcoming film series, Esther: Queen of Hope.

Header photo of wind turbines in Spain courtesy of Vidar Nordli-Mathisen via Unsplash.

“It’s so important to know that God is in the midst of whatever it is that’s going on for us,” Godwin says.  

In media ministry, logistical challenges can be the norm. 

“We’re working deep on these large projects, and periodically something goes sideways and I feel like I failed. And I struggle to trust God’s hand in that,” Godwin says. 

International Media Ministries is currently filming the Esther story from the backdrop of modern-day Persia (i.e. Iran). Various hurdles have stalled or redirected the film’s progress, but Godwin says she has recently seen God open doors.

“If I had rushed ahead, we wouldn’t have had the ability to do the things we’re going to be able to do this spring,” she says. 

Godwin recalls another project, one started in 2018, that ran into some hiccups. That film included the story of Cyprian, an early North African church leader. When the filming schedule became unrealistic, it seemed the Cyprian account would need to be cut from the final production. But after consideration: 

“We ended up adding an entire section to that story about the church leading during a plague. And we released the Cyprian story at the end of 2020,” Godwin recalls. “So the relevance that God had for that story was completely different than my timing.”

When the sovereign hand of God changes our pathway, Godwin reminds us to wait for the Lord, as the Psalms instruct. 

“He is going to show himself in the things that look like bad timing, the things that look like failure, the things that look like closed doors,” she says. “He will show himself faithful.”

Image courtesy of Shlomaster via Pixabay

“We’ve all introduced some kid we know, or our kids, to something we watched as a kid. The same thing happens with Christian programming and programming for tough parts of the world, where there’s not much in their language,” Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries says.

“Our past children’s projects have continued to be used over 20 years.”

Godwin says she wanted to develop something new for kids but lacked the necessary skills. Then, the Lord introduced her to Judy, a children’s evangelist.

“[She] has been doing this for 40+ years, so she’s really good at it,” Godwin says.

“When Judy joined our team, she could extrapolate things that she has used live, and we created a six-part series based on one of her live plays.”

“Red” is a 6-part series that will go out to many languages and many countries, and make way for the brand new 3D series.
(Caption, screenshot courtesy of IMM)

At the end of 2024, IMM began work on a 2D animated series called “Red.” Watch a preview here.

“It’s very loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood,” Godwin says.

“A red-headed girl goes in[to] the forest, and animals try to dissuade her from her quest, and she remembers (Bible) verses from her Aunt Louise that help her persevere and keep going.”

Animation interns and experts from Europe, South America, and the Middle East joined the IMM team.

“We used our staff members and some AI fill-in to do the template voices, and then from there, it’ll go into Arabic and dialects and Polish and German and many, many languages,” Godwin says.

“It’s so cool to work on these projects and feel like God is bringing the team together.”

Pray that “Red” will make the Gospel come alive for kids in hard-to-reach places. Support IMM here to help production continue.

“People are ready for something that brings hope and life, and that’s what Jesus gives us,” Godwin says.

“We hear of people getting saved in so many places through media, through dreams and visions, where traditional missionaries can’t go.”

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Kampus Production/Pexels.

And while we wait, we worship. 

Church services during Advent traditionally center on four themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. Denise Godwin of International Media Ministries says Christians can point lost people around us to the source of these universally desired gifts. 

“I believe we have a great gift in engaging with hope and peace and love – knowing that what we have we can share. It’s a privilege that we can bring with us as part of the gifts of Christmas season,” she says. 

Sharing can take many forms: conversations, media interactions, formal ministries, or simple acts of generosity. During this Christmas season, and always, Christians can offer the world an extension of the love that Christ offers us. 

“We see a demonstration of a different kind of love in Jesus Christ,” Godwin says, “and I think it’s a faith and a peace and a hope that we need in the times that we live in.” 

In our dark world, many Christmas traditions incorporate the dawning of light: Jesus Christ, the life and light for all mankind. 

Yet in the midst of our lighted celebrations, 3 billion unreached people still walk in darkness. In many countries around the world, there is no Christmas season: no celebration, no symbolism, no meaning. No light. 

“There’s no purpose behind this season for them,” Godwin says. “They don’t understand the light of the world.”

Photo courtesy of Valeriya via Pexels

Primarily through media initiatives such as radio and tv programming, International Media Ministries works in the world’s darkest places to bring Gospel light. Godwin recalls the significance of one of the first projects she worked on: a Christmas program that went into the Eastern Bloc countries after the fall of communism.

“To bring the whole concept of Jesus to a culture that’s been absent Him: they have been waiting for years and years to find hope,” she says. “Each person that comes to Jesus Christ in a closed and dark country is so enthusiastic to share with others despite the risks to themselves.” 

In the midst of our Advent meditations this year, Godwin asks: 

“What does it look like as we wait for this hope to be revealed in our own hearts and lives?” 

In our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities, let’s remind our dark world that light has come, treasuring the gift of Christ in our own hearts as we share Him with others. 

“It’s a lovely privilege that we can incorporate into our Advent as we wait and dwell on the birth of Jesus Christ and what that means,” Godwin says, “as light came to the world in a unique way to save us once and for all.”

Featured photo courtesy of Gareth Harper via Unsplash