CANTON − Back in 1989, the Rev. Kevin Kazemi was just 6 when his mother secreted him and his two brothers out of Iran and, after a months-long journey, found asylum in Sweden.
Her motive wasn’t religious or political — it was to escape a violent marriage she was forced into at 13 with an abusive 25-year-old.
“She was a devout Muslim, but it was a life-or-death situation because he was extremely abusive to her and to us,” he said. “So we went to Sweden and Sweden became home.”
Kazemi, co-founder and lead pastor at Identity Church a nondenominational congregation in Canton, still has family in Iran, which is one reason why he supports current efforts by Israel and the U.S. to deny the country known for millennia as “Persia” access to a nuclear weapon.
In June, the Israeli government launched “Operating Rising Lion,” a series of preemptive military strikes in a bid to dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Israel’s efforts were supported by the U.S., which recently dropped several large bombs in an attempt to destroy underground labs.
Iran is one of the world’s leading sponsors of terrorism. In 1979, activists overthrew the western-backed Shah of Iran amid accusations that he was corrupt. Shortly afterward, radical students overran the U.S. Embassy and took 52 employees hostage for 444 days. For months, Iran supplied the Houthis — a faction of rebels in Yemen — with arms to attack cargo ships in the Red Sea, prompting a military response from America.
“Personally, I believe the current regime, which has been there since the revolution in 1979, does not represent 80% of the Persian people; they definitely don’t represent me,” Kazemi said.
“I don’t want to get into politics, but if Iran is getting a nuclear weapon, I believe (the attack) is valid. … In this conflict, of course, there have been many casualties, many innocent people on either side, but my prayer is that the underground church and the fire that is spreading with it among the Iranian people will not be quenched. A revival is taking place that is really taking our nation by storm.”
Kazemi said he’s grateful President Donald Trump took action, but that ultimately, Iranians must determine their future.
“One thing I’m very thankful for is that in all of his back and forth, President Trump took a strong stand and put his foot down and was able to, I think by God’s grace, to get a ceasefire now, and it’s been holding up for at least 24 hours,” he said. “But I think a revolution in Iran has to happen from the people — just like it did the last time.”
Kazemi said that while Iranians of Armenian and Assyrian descent are permitted to practice Christianity “because they’ve been there a long time,” they cannot proselytize. It also is illegal for Iranians to practice any faith other than Islam, but that hasn’t stopped the spread of underground churches.
“Islam is very rooted in in the Arabic culture,” he said. “We are not Arabs. We are Persians. So, for me as a child, I don’t even speak Arabic — we speak Farsi — I didn’t even know what I was saying. Many of the young people are more nominal Muslims. That’s why I think many people are getting born again because they are seeking for the truth, and of course, Jesus is the truth.”
Kazemi said the government is aware of the underground church, which is growing at a rate of 20% a year, and that pastors have been imprisoned, tortured and even killed.
“The church in Iran is the ninth most-persecuted church in the world,” he said. “What is really amazing is that in the last 10 years and last decade, there have been more Persians saved than in the last 1,000 years. It is attributed, of course, to the advancement of technology but also Jesus is appearing to many Iranian Muslims in dreams and visions.”
‘Worn out by war’
Like Kazemi, for some members of Stark County’s Jewish community, concerns about the burgeoning conflict is personal.
Locally, Jewish leaders are urging their members to be more diligent and aware.
“I’m hopeful that the world will be safer when the present war is over, and soon,” said Temple Israel Rabbi David Komerofsky.
In a memo to the Jewish community, Canton Jewish Federation CEO Ori Akrish addressed the conflict and its fallout, and reiterated the community’s support of “Operation Rising Lion.”
“The anxiety we feel as a Jewish community is real — and it is deepened by the rise in hateful rhetoric and violence across our country,” he wrote. “In recent days, we’ve witnessed tragic and senseless attacks, fueled by political and ideological hatred. At this incendiary moment in history, we must stand together, despite our differences, and be a voice for peace, unity and resilience.”
Akrish said he’s spoken with Northeast Ohioans in Israel since the conflict started.
“We’ve been in touch with several and, thankfully, everyone seems to be safe and well cared for,” he said. “The primary concern right now is logistics. With the airspace closed and flights canceled, many are stranded and are working to secure lodging, transportation and other essentials to shelter in place until flights resume and they can return to America.”
Akrish said Canton’s federation is in touch with its counterparts around Ohio and across the country to stay informed. Also, as a precaution, the security provider for Beit Ha’Am, which houses Temple Israel, Shaaray Torah Synagogue and the federation, is consulting with law enforcement.
“We’ve felt very supported by the broader community,” Akrish said. “Local faith leaders, public officials, and neighbors have reached out to express their solidarity and concern. Law enforcement, in particular, has been outstanding — proactive, responsive and fully committed to ensuring our safety. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership and dedication.”
The Rev. Chuck Schumacher, who first brought Kazemi to the U.S. in 2005, and is pastor emeritus at Compassion Church in Plain Township, is a frequent visitor to Israel.
“I just got back from Israel, and I can tell you that, beside the scenes, the Arab people are happy,” he said. “They are tired of war. It was my 30th trip, and our pilgrimage team of 30 had the country to ourselves. The conflict since 2023 has totally impacted the tourist industry.”
Schumacher added that both Jews and Arabs are worn out by war.
“Shops are closed in the Old City and elsewhere because of the lack of tourists, and people are fearful of what’s next,” he said.
Akrish said no plans have been made in regard to relief efforts.
“I expect there will soon be a coordinated campaign to assist those who’ve lost their loved ones and their homes due to the indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure across the country,” he said. “This conflict has affected people of all religions and regions within Israel. For now, our focus is on how we can provide meaningful support from abroad.”
‘This is an issue with the regime in Iran’
John Strauss, federation president, said the aim of the conflict is not to harm Iranian civilians, adding that ordinary Iranians and Israeli Jews share some history.
“This is an issue with the regime in Iran, which is an extremist, religiously motivated group,” he said. “Many people who now live in Israel have roots in Iran, and were refugees after 1948 and resettled in Israel. There is a genuine desire to reestablish a connection with the Iranian people, which existed before the 1979 Iranian revolution. I would love to see that some day.”
Amid reports that Iran may have been on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, Strauss said he fully supports the Israeli government’s preemptive action, calling it “entirely justified.”
“Iran has been threatening Israel for years with the goal of wiping the country off the map,” he said. “They declared this goal openly and repeatedly. Given the Iranian regime’s statements and actions over the years in funding groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah to attack Israel on its behalf, I do not think it would have been responsible for the Israeli government to sit idly by and wait for that eventually to possibly happen.”
Akrish said the current situation is about more than Israel’s struggle to survive.
“There are two major misunderstandings. First, that a nuclear Iran is solely Israel’s concern. It’s not. Iran’s current leadership has long posed a threat to the West — not just Israel,” he said. “This is a regime that routinely calls for ‘Death to America,’ threatens its neighbors, and, as we’ve seen, targets civilians indiscriminately when provoked. The danger they present is global and cannot be ignored.
“Second, there’s a persistent mischaracterization of Israel as merely a political project or colonial experiment that fuels regional instability. In reality, Israel has existed as a modern Jewish state for nearly 80 years. Generations of people have been born and raised there; it is their only home, their language, their culture. Israel is a diverse, multiethnic, multireligious society that has forged strong partnerships in the region and leads in innovation and cooperation. Like any country, it faces challenges, but it is a legitimate nation striving for peace, security and coexistence.”
Strauss agreed, saying that Iran poses an existential threat to the wider world.
“Imagine if Nazi Germany had possessed such a capability,” he said. “What would have been the U.S. response then? If Israel’s mission is successful, I think the country will be more secure in the future, and I believe that the U.S. will as well.”
Kazemi’s brothers are also Christians. His youngest, who served as an associate pastor at Identity Church, planted a sister church in Fort Myers, Florida, in 2023. His other brother remained in Sweden where he is a businessman.
Their mother, who became a Christian and missionary while in Sweden, introduced the three to the faith.
Kazemi and his wife, Mariella, who have served as missionaries in 45 countries, returned to the U.S. after spending seven years in Cape Town, South Africa, to start Identity Church, which is at 333 Harvard Ave. NW.
Kazemi said he believes the conflict contains a spiritual aspect which shouldn’t be ignored.
“I said to our church family on (a recent) Sunday, ‘You know, Israel is not perfect, but I believe they are prophetic. I believe they are on God’s timeline,'” he said. “Israel matters. But for me, personally standing with Israel doesn’t mean that you stand against an Iranian, a Palestinian. They’ve all been created in the image and likeness of God. My heart is that Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, Persians, Americans, that none will perish but that everyone would have everlasting life. And I think that’s the heart of God.”
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict is personal for some in Stark County
Reporting by Charita M. Goshay, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
