A Personal Story of Resistance - w/ Pastor Ara Torosian
Pastor Ara Tarosian joins Mike and Tim to share his incredible journey from persecution in Iran to building a vibrant church community in Los Angeles. He went viral a few weeks ago for a visdeo he posted of members of his congregation being abducted by ICE (See our instagram this week for the video). From surviving the Iranian Revolution to smuggling Bibles and leading a massive underground church, Pastor Ara’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In this thought-provoking discussion, he recounts the challenges faced by Iranian Christians, the cultural and political hurdles of immigration, and how faith can endure under immense pressure.
This episode explores themes of cruciformity, faith and politics, the role of the church in society, and navigating cultural challenges in a deeply divided world. Pastor Ara’s experiences shed light on the global realities of persecution, the resilience of faith in Jesus, and the call for the church to embody justice, mercy, and compassion in the face of injustice. Join the conversation as we examine how the teachings of Jesus intersect with real-world struggles and what it means to stand in solidarity with persecuted communities.
Key Topics: Pastor Ara's background and journey to the U.S. The realities of seeking asylum and the legal hurdles involved The role of faith and community in navigating these challenges A call for compassion and reform in immigration policies
Guest: Pastor Ara Tarosian, Cornerstone West LA
Call to Action: Listen, reflect, and share this episode to raise awareness about the human stories behind immigration and asylum.
Hashtags: #Immigration #Asylum #Faith #HumanRights
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Seth Introduces the Episode
01:29 - Ara’s Early Life in Iran
12:38 - Ara’s Arrest in Turkey
21:34 - Becoming a Pastor
23:50 - Starting Cornerstone West LA
32:44 - The Story of the ICE Raid at the Church
46:20 - Emotional Toll of the ICE Raid
49:13 - Impact on Ara's Wife and Mother
50:39 - Effects on Ara's Second Family
51:34 - Community Impact of the ICE Raid
53:49 - How People Can Help
59:40 - Community Action and Support
1:04:08 - Closing Thoughts
1:06:08 - Support the Podcast
1:06:53 - Outro
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
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