When a person exercises empathy, they begin to help others find their strength. When individuals have the power to inspire, they begin to get wise and practice modesty. One such individual is Pastor Ara Torosian, a man of many talents as he is a public speaker who also pursues music. Born to a middle-class Armenian family in January 1979, Torosian grew up amid chaos and saw a war around him for eight years. Torosian’s mother was a teacher, and from a young age, he saw his mother show compassion and pay attention to the children in need. Torosian learned that it is important to give time to those who are alone and in despair. It is always good to share the pain, and all those who are hurting should find solace. Torosian wanted to pursue soccer professionally and joined a team at the age of 15, yet soon he was badly injured. Torosian realized this his dreams and future were completely shattered, and he found solace in Farsi Bible, which is illegal in Iran. 

The road to resilience 

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”
― Steve Maraboli

When an individual begins to see the world differently, they will see that there are many opportunities that they can benefit from. When Torosian found the Farsi Bible, he recognized that his questions regarding life’s purpose and God’s existence were answered immaculately and in grave detail. As Torosian read through the Bible, he noticed that he started feeling joy and salvation. Torosian would often ask himself if it was his destiny to be in a war-torn country where there was no freedom. By choosing the path towards God, Torosian understood that he could love his enemies and pursue fondness for people who hurt him as hate was not the answer. Torosian’s goal is to spread the word of God and hope by inspiring others to trust in Him and love Him. Torosian is a YouTuber who has produced over 10 high-quality Farsi Christian Music videos that got recognized and respected by multiple Iranian TV channels and media platforms. 

Torosian wants to spread God’s message through art to help those in need and encourage them. Torosian has been inspiring and helping young and forgotten artists find their calling and begin again with new vigor. By collaborating with many Iranian and international pop stars and artists, Torosian wants to spread love through music. Torosian is a philanthropist who has started churches worldwide and began his first Christian NGO in Iran to work in disaster relief. Torosian volunteered his time by working and serving for three months in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Also, Torosian has served and helped as a coordinator for American disaster relief in the Bam earthquake in 2003. Torosian has brought awareness on behalf of persecuted Christians by speaking at several conferences and organizations.

The life of struggle

“They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.”
― Dinos Christianopoulos

In December 2009, with only a few suitcases, Torosian and his wife arrived at the Los Angeles airport as refugees with the hope to start anew. Previously, Torosian was in Turkey, and to become a pastor, Torosian went to England from Iran as soon as he turned 18 and graduated high school. Many people doubted Torosian’s capabilities and assumed that he wouldn’t last the program in bible school, yet Torosian remained steadfast. Soon, in 2oo2, Torosian was called to Turkey to be a pastor amongst Iranian refugees. Torosian was quite young and had massive fears and doubts, but he soon realized that God’s plan was bigger than him, and he needed to remain resolute. In 2004, Torosian went back to Iran, and in those days, the Iranian government was putting pressure on Farsi-speaking evangelical churches by starting to close down church buildings and persecuting Christians. For the last 10 years, Iran has been in the 10 topmost persecuted countries for Christians. Yet, no one can stop church as it is not just a building; it is about people. Torosian continued pastoring underground church till 2005, but he got caught bringing Bible to Iran and was under house arrest for two years.

When Torosian landed in LA with his family, he knew that he had changed multiple countries previously and had to begin again every time from scratch, yet it brought a feeling of hope. Torosian’s vision only got bigger, and he kept working on himself. With a lot of courage and hope, Torosian uploaded his first video on YouTube in 2016 with the belief that there was no looking back. Torosian was consistently uploading videos, and only after a few months, a YouTube video about issues of the homeless in Los Angeles went viral, and from there, Torosian’s YouTube career commenced. In 2011, Torosian’s first child was born, and he started a kid’s channel, which also got appreciated. In 2018, Torosian became a full-time pastor at Cornerstone West Los Angeles and persistently spread God’s message. When an individual endures all the world’s struggles, such as war, injury, and having to leave home, they tend to get strong and empowered. There are instances when a person has to make difficult choices, yet when it includes assisting others, the benefits increase by tenfold.

There are times when a person has to face hardships constantly, and they tend to feel a little overwhelmed, yet it is important to believe in God and trust His plan. It is important to put faith in God as He is the only one who truly cares for his people and wants them to find peace. When an individual has seen all kinds of challenges, they will move beyond themselves and help those around them who need assistance. Torosian has been unwavering, committed to his goals, and has been an inspiration for all those who have faced predicaments.