We are Matthew and Fariba Salar. We both come from a Muslim background in Iran, and the grace of Jesus Christ changed the direction of our lives. Our ministry grows out of that story and the experiences we carry as immigrants, believers and a husband-and-wife team.
Matthew came to faith in Jesus through Iran’s underground church. His encounter with Christ while in prison became a defining part of his testimony. Together, we dedicated our lives to following Jesus and sharing the hope we had found in Him.
That calling later took us to Thailand, where we helped plant a church among Iranian Muslims. We then came to the United States as missionaries. Each chapter brought a different setting, but the people at the heart of our calling remained the same: Farsi-speaking neighbors who need friendship, practical support and the opportunity to hear about Jesus.
During about eight years of ministry in Amarillo, we learned how much trust can grow through ordinary acts of care. We helped families look for work, understand everyday bills, find housing, enroll their children in school and navigate life in a new country. English and citizenship classes became another way to serve and build relationships.
In 2019, Persian Elevate Church began with new believers from a Muslim background. What grew from those relationships was more than a class or a weekly meeting. It was a church community where people could learn the Bible in Farsi and grow in their faith together.
When we moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth area in August 2024, Persian Elevate continued online rather than closing its doors. Today, Farsi-speaking believers and seekers join us from different countries for worship, Bible teaching and fellowship.
We serve through the Intercultural Ministries department of Assemblies of God U.S. Missions. Our Iranian background and experience of starting over help us understand many of the questions our neighbors bring, but we begin by listening to each person’s own story.
First at Firewheel in Garland has provided space for our next chapter of local ministry. We are preparing for English classes, citizenship preparation and an immigration advocacy ministry that can respond to practical needs with care and competence.
The formal in-person program launch remains paused during training and organizational preparation. Immigration legal services are not yet available and will begin only after the required approvals are in place. Meanwhile, Persian Elevate Church continues online, and we continue building relationships in our community.
This work is sustained by churches and individuals who pray, give and share in the calling. We welcome the opportunity to visit your church, tell our story and talk about how we can serve Farsi-speaking neighbors together.
Explore Partnership