A young girl, Maryam, wakes in the morning to her mother praying over a new day. At breakfast, her father shares a verse from his big Bible; it speaks of hope and joy. She packs her backpack with colorful pens and books with funny covers, and heads outside.

But when she steps beyond the door, there is a scarf on her head.

As she enters the school, Maryam sees her friend scolded and struck on the head by the headmaster because she forgot to cover her hair. Maryam walks to class over the flags of the U.S. and Israel painted underfoot, and when she enters the room, a buzz of knowledge mixed with Islamic teaching presses into her mind.

She does her best to hide the fact that her parents are Christians, and that they lead a home church.

Iranian children of Christian parents are often pressured into living a double life. They understand early the dangers they live in, and they adapt to a life of secrecy.

As many Christian parents lead or attend home churches, or join online meetings, children see vivid examples of faith. They hear testimonies from believers who come through their home or their screens. Ministries that provide online Sunday school lessons also help parents with practical ways and techniques to teach their kids about their Savior.

Some of our friends from Iran share something surprising: after their children build close friendships with peers, they sometimes become the first evangelists — sharing the good news of Christ with the people closest to them.

The Bible shapes these children’s view of the world. It helps them recognize good and evil. It protects them from the confusion of an education blended with Islamic religious studies — helping them sort what is useful from what is meant to form loyalty and fear. Iranian education is considered among the strongest in the Middle East, and there are many tools and lessons children can carry into life. But the spiritual weight in the classroom is real, and discernment becomes part of survival.

Cross to Persia has been approached by a few families in Iran at the beginning of the school year who, because of rising prices and economic instability, could not afford basic school supplies for their children. With the help of supporters, we were able to buy backpacks and school tools.

The children of Iranian believers are a new generation to be loved, understood, and discipled. And though they grow up in Christian families, they still have their own journey with Christ — one that a prayerful worker can join, support, and gently help direct.