Evangelical Church in Germany Says Hundreds of Immigrants Have Converted to Christianity

An evangelical church in Germany announced this week that hundreds of Iranians and Afghans have converted to Christianity since the large immigration influx started happening earlier this year.

Pastor Gottfried Martens of Trinity Church in Berlin recently told the Associated Press that he has performed baptisms on hundreds of immigrants in recent months.

"I know there are - again and again - people coming here because they have some kind of hope regarding their asylum," Martens said. "I am inviting them to join us because I know that whoever comes here will not be left unchanged."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has attempted to clarify claims that converting to Christianity will aid in the approval of an immigrant's asylum application.

Merkel referenced comments made by former German president Christian Wulff, who said in 2010 that Islam is a part of Germany's identity.

"Former president Wulff said Islam belongs to Germany. That is true. I also hold this opinion," Merkel said at a news conference in January.

One Iranian immigrant, Vesam Heydari, told the Daily Mail that he moved to Germany to seek refugee status for fear that he would be persecuted as a Christian if sent back to Iran.

Heydari told the media outlet that he believes most converts in Germany are not doing so out of faith.

"The majority of Iranians here are not converting out of belief," Heydari said. "They only want to stay in Germany."