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Ara Torosian

Basic Information​

  • Full Name: Pastor Ara Torosian
  • Born: January 1979, Tehran, Iran
  • Current Role: Pastor at Cornerstone Church West LA (Farsi Ministry)
  • Background: Iranian-Armenian Christian, filmmaker, church planter
  • Languages: Farsi, Armenian, English
  • Immigration Status: US Citizen (arrived 2010 as refugee)

Personal Background​

Early Life in Iran​

  • Born during 1979 Iranian Revolution ("burn generation")
  • Grew up Armenian Orthodox Christian in Islamic Iran
  • Experienced Iran-Iraq War (8 years) during elementary school
  • Subjected to systematic anti-Western indoctrination in schools
  • Converted to evangelical Christianity at age 16 through reading Farsi Bible

Underground Ministry in Iran​

  • Built underground church network of 7,500 people across 4 cities by 2004
  • Caught smuggling Bibles in November 2005
  • Tortured for 3 days, placed under house arrest for 2 years
  • Surveilled even during wedding ceremony (torturer attended)
  • Refused to give up names of church members despite torture

Journey to America​

  • Arrived in Los Angeles 2010 through Lautenberg Program as refugee
  • Started working immediately upon arrival
  • Initially struggled with Western church planting strategies
  • Found home at Cornerstone West LA in multicultural ministry

Current Ministry​

Cornerstone Church West LA​

  • Position: Equal pastor in "one church, three languages" model
  • Focus: Farsi-speaking ministry, primarily Iranian refugees and asylum seekers
  • Congregation: ~50-60 Iranian members, many recent asylum seekers
  • Approach: Multicultural, equal salary structure regardless of background
  • Community: Serves refugees, provides housing, legal support

Advocacy Work​

  • Court witness for 20+ asylum cases (100% success rate)
  • Filmmaker creating content about Iranian persecution and women's rights
  • Vocal advocate for Iranian Christian refugees
  • Recently protested ICE detention of congregation members

Recent Crisis (June 2025)​

ICE Detentions​

  • June 23-24, 2025: Multiple Iranian asylum seekers from his church detained by ICE
  • Families Affected: Including female artist from "Woman Life Freedom" movement
  • Personal Impact: Filmed detention, experienced PTSD triggers from Iran persecution
  • Current Status: Advocating for detained members, some transferred to Texas facilities

Church Response​

  • Temporarily advised congregation not to attend church for safety
  • Working with lawyers pro bono for detained members
  • Coordinating with other Iranian pastors (though many afraid to speak out)

Theological Perspective​

Core Beliefs​

  • Identity in Christ: "Christians, you all foreigners. You are illegal actually in the earth"
  • No Borders in Kingdom: "In Christianity there is no borders... no one's illegal in the kingdom of god"
  • Mercy with Law: References Matthew 23:23 - apply law with mercy
  • Persecution as Growth: "Persecution never stop the church actually persecution cause the church grow"

Approach to Persecution​

  • Maintains love and prayer for former torturers in Iran
  • Sees current persecution as awakening for American church
  • Advocates for legal immigration pathways while respecting law
  • Emphasizes Jesus as refugee example

Family​

  • Wife: Married during house arrest period in Iran
  • Children: Daughter (13, 9th grade), Son (8, 4th grade) - both born in US
  • Immigration: Family fled Iran together, children are American citizens

Professional Background​

  • Filmmaker: Creates content about persecution, women's rights, immigration
  • Former Business: Successful real estate business in Iran (left for ministry calling)
  • Church Planter: Experience in Iran, Turkey, and Los Angeles
  • Bible College: Studied at Farsi-speaking college outside London

Contact & Ministry​

  • Church: Cornerstone Church West LA
  • Ministry Focus: Iranian refugees, asylum seekers, persecution awareness
  • Advocacy: Iranian Christian detention cases, immigration reform
  • Content Creation: Short films about persecution, women's rights in Iran

Key Relationships​

  • Cornerstone Pastors: Pastor Scott, Pastor Brian, Pastor Matt (equal partnership model)
  • Jamie: American missionary partner from Kansas who helped plant Iranian ministry
  • Iranian Pastor Network: Coordinates with other Iranian pastors in LA (though many afraid to speak publicly)

Notable Quotes​

  • "I promised myself I said I'm not going to give up these people name doesn't matter how many days doesn't matter if they kill me"
  • "I want to experience the freedom to speak also to preach the gospel"
  • "What's the difference like between Iran we came for freedom and I'm practicing my freedom of speech I'm practicing my freedom of religion and both of them is just kind of shattered"
  • "I'm praying often for my guys that torture me in Iran. I'm praying for their family that they will save and find the truth of Jesus"

Current Challenges​

  • Legal battles for detained congregation members
  • Safety concerns for Iranian Christian community in LA
  • Lack of legal immigration pathways for Iranian Christians
  • Church security and freedom of worship concerns
  • PTSD triggers from current persecution echoing Iran experience

Last Updated: August 2025