People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Persian of North America

People Group Info

Total Population: 645,122

ROP3 Code: 107987
IMB Affinity Group: Central Asia Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Persian-Median
People Cluster: Persian
Language: Iranian Persian - (pes)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: Iran

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project. By Hamed Saber
Creative Commons

Majority Located Where

  Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA - 127,713

  Toronto (Mississauga, Brampton), ON - 100,640

  Vancouver (Surrey), BC - 43,880

  Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, VA - 39,919

  San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA - 26,862

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

Learn More

Brief Profile

Thousands of Persians fled their homeland of Iran after the revolution and the fall of Shah in the late 1970's. Many fled to Europe and Canada, while others settled in the United States. For those who chose America, Texas became one of the largest settlement areas for Persians with large populations in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. California also is home to large populations of Persians.

They are often educated and very proud of their heritage and rich Persian culture. They are friendly and love their families.

Most consider themselves Shiite Muslims, while some adhere to Baha’i faith, Sufism, and the pre-Islamic religion of Zoroastrianism. Persians are insecure about their ultimate destiny. They realize their Islamic faith does not get them closer to God and are not sure at all where they are going to go after they die.

As a result, they are often open and receptive to hearing and even receiving the Gospel message.

View Enlarged Map of this People Group

Prayer Points

  • For God to give Christians a non-judgmental love and without prejudice for the Persian people group.
  • For discipleship and spiritual growth of new Persian believers.
  • Pray for churches to develop intentional church planting strategies specifically focusing on Persians.
  • Pray for Christians that live and work among Persians to begin loving friendships with them.
  • Take a virtual prayerwalk in a Persian community in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Toronto or Washington, DC.

People Group Resources

Central Asian Peoples - Short Videos
Short videos in mother tongues of the people groups in Central Asia.

Online Talking Bible - Persian
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.

Persian Story Set for Discipleship
Persian Bible stories for discipling new believers to maturing leaders.

Persian Story Set for Evangelism
65 Discipleship Bible studies for those with a Shi'a Islam worldview, particularly those in Central Asia.

Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.

Other Resources

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-30 of 79 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
CanadaTorontoToronto (Mississauga, Brampton)ON100,640
CanadaOttawaOttawa–GatineauON8,185
CanadaWest VancouverVancouver (Surrey)BC43,880
United StatesShaker HeightsCleveland-ElyriaOH862
United StatesTampaTampa-St. Petersburg-ClearwaterFL1,542
United StatesBeaumontBeaumont-Port ArthurTX100
United StatesTuckerAtlanta-Sandy Springs-RoswellGA8,590
United StatesMemphisMemphisTN235
United StatesHoustonHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar LandTX12,175
United StatesOverland ParkKansas CityKS319
United StatesKnoxvilleKnoxvilleTN600
United StatesBirminghamBirmingham-HooverAL243
United StatesPhoenixPhoenix-Mesa-ScottsdaleAZ4,798
United StatesNew AlbanyColumbusOH220
United StatesLongviewLongview-TylerTX107
United StatesKapoleiHonoluluHI285
United StatesSt LouisSt. LouisMO2,617
United StatesLittle RockLittle Rock-North Little Rock-ConwayAR470
United StatesEdmondOklahoma CityOK1,258
United StatesFayettevilleFayetteville-Springdale-RogersAR255
United StatesLas VegasLas Vegas-Henderson-ParadiseNV3,683
United StatesTulsaTulsaOK691
United StatesEnglewoodDenver-Aurora-LakewoodCO2,850
United StatesSimi ValleyOxnard-Thousand Oaks-VenturaCA3,737
United StatesMidlothianRichmondVA1,066
United StatesTehrangelesLos Angeles-Long Beach-AnaheimCA127,713
United StatesFresnoFresnoCA1,004
United StatesGreat NeckNew York-Newark-Jersey CityNY22,447
United StatesFishersIndianapolis-Carmel-AndersonIN890
United StatesIndianapolisIndianapolis-Carmel-AndersonIN890
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