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  • Season 5: Episode 20: Nigeria: Attacks on Christians in Benue State

    Season 5: Episode 20: Nigeria: Attacks on Christians in Benue State
    2025/07/11
    In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman reports on the escalating violence committed against Christians in the North Central Nigerian state of Benue. In June, militant Fulani herdsmen launched a brutal attack on the Christian community of Yelwata, killing an estimated 200 villagers – many of them internally displaced people who had fled previous violence. The attackers used fuel to set the villagers’ homes ablaze, leaving devastation in their wake. Just weeks later, in early July, four members of Christian Faith Ministries were also tragically killed in Benue State. In this podcast report, Greg is joined by Ruth and Kent Hodge, the founders of Christian Faith Ministries, to discuss these recent heartbreaking attacks, the broader persecution of Christians throughout Nigeria, and how God is still working powerfully through His people – even in the midst of suffering. Length: 38 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with the Hodge’s www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2025-07-11.htm Christian Faith Ministries: https://www.cfaithnews.org/ Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    38 分
  • Season 5: Episode 19: Why Are Men and Women Persecuted Differently for Their Faith in Jesus?

    Season 5: Episode 19: Why Are Men and Women Persecuted Differently for Their Faith in Jesus?
    2025/06/20
    Why Are Men and Women Persecuted Differently for Their Faith in Jesus? There is plenty of evidence indicating that men and women suffer differently when they are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Emma, the director of an organization that is dedicated to addressing gender-specific religious freedom issues. (Due to the nature of her work, Emma’s lastsur name iscan not publicly disclosed.) During the interview, this valued ministry partner of VOMC discusses the various ways in which gender-specific persecution affects the church, the devastating consequences that occur when these realities are overlooked, and how the body of Christ can respond with greater understanding, wisdom and compassion. Most importantly, she highlights the hope and healing that Jesus is bringing into the lives of persecuted believers in the midst of suffering. Length: 56 minutes Episode Notes The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    57 分
  • Season 5: Episode 18: China: The Communist Party's Relentless Persecution of Christians

    Season 5: Episode 18: China: The Communist Party's Relentless Persecution of Christians
    2025/06/06
    China: The Communist Party's Relentless Persecution of Christians In China, where Communist authorities remain determined to suppress the rapid growth of Christianity, church leaders in that nation are arrested and imprisoned for their ministry activities. One pastoral couple, Yang Rongli and her husband Wang Xiaoguang, have endured years of persecution for continuing to shepherd thousands of believers despite government opposition. Greg Musselman, host of the Closer to the Fire podcast, is joined by Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid to discuss the ongoing court case against Yang and Wang, as well as the recent trend in which church leaders are being charged with “illegal border crossing” for participating in religious training abroad. During the interview, Dr. Fu also sheds light on how the Communist regime is targeting the Biblical education of children, revealing the broader strategy to stifle religious freedom at every level of society. Length:38 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Dr. Bob Fu https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cn-2025-06-05.htm ChinaAid: www.chinaaid.org The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    38 分
  • Season 5: Episode 17: India: Anti-Conversion Laws Used Against Christians (encore)

    Season 5: Episode 17: India: Anti-Conversion Laws Used Against Christians (encore)
    2025/05/23
    According to recently published reports, anti-conversion laws may soon be enacted in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Members of the state legislature are presently considering a newly proposed law that would make so-called “forced conversions” illegal and require anyone who seeks to convert to Christianity – or any other religion outside of Hinduism – to notify officials at least 60 days in advance. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Sudhakar Mondithoka, who serves as Principal and Director for the Hyderabad Institute of Theology and Apologetics in Hyderabad, India. During their conversation, Rev. Mondithoka discusses the newly proposed law and what it could mean for Christian believers living in Rajasthan. Rev. Mondithoka also provides insight into the history of anti-conversion legislation in India, how it's being used against Christians, and the effect it's having on followers of Christ throughout this South Asian nation. In the midst of these challenges, he emphasizes the need for believers to rely on the Lord’s wisdom as they seek to share their faith with those in their communities and beyond. Length: 58 minutes Episode Notes To view the interview with Rev. Sudhakar Mondithoka https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-in-2025-01-23.htm Hyderabad Institute of Theology and Apologetics: https://hitha.org Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    52 分
  • Season 5: Episode 16 Somalia: Enduring Faith in a Hostile Land

    Season 5: Episode 16 Somalia: Enduring Faith in a Hostile Land
    2025/05/09
    Christians in Somalia encounter life-threatening persecution not only from the militant Islamic group al-Shabab, but also from hostile members of their families and local communities. In particular, those who have left Islam to follow Jesus risk harassment, intimidation and even the threat of death. According to the World Watch List from Open Doors (an annual ranking of the top 50 countries where Christians encounter the most extreme persecution), Somalia remains the second most dangerous region in the world for followers of Jesus. Despite the intense opposition, this East African nation is home to one of the fastest growing church movements in the world. VOMC’s Closer to the Fire host, Greg Musselman, is joined by Dr. Aweis Ali from the Somali Bible Society to discuss the many dangers facing the country’s Christians, why the church is experiencing remarkable growth, and the exciting efforts of ministry workers who are reaching out to Somalis with the Gospel message. During his conversation with Greg, Dr. Aweis also shares the story of how he personally came to faith in Jesus – and the price he and other Muslim-background believers have paid for choosing to follow Christ in this restricted nation. Length: 43 minutes To watch the interview with Dr. Aweis https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-so-2025-05-06.htm Episode Notes Somali Bible Society: www.somalibiblesociety.org The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    43 分
  • Season 5: Episode 15: Myanmar: Targeted Violence Against Christians

    Season 5: Episode 15: Myanmar: Targeted Violence Against Christians
    2025/04/25
    Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a nation grappling with significant turmoil and humanitarian crises. The devastating earthquake that took place in March of this year claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread damage across the country. Additionally, the ongoing military coup is now in its fifth year, and solutions are nowhere in sight. The political conflict is having a devastating impact on the nation’s Christians, who have frequently been the targets of violent military strikes. In addition to disproportionately attacking Christian villages and destroying church buildings, the opposing military forces have also killed innocent Christian aid workers and pastors. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by “Joshua,” a Christian leader in Myanmar whose real name has been withheld for security purposes. Despite the dire situation facing the country’s believers, “Joshua” reports that God is working powerfully amidst the country’s numerous challenges and hardships. Length: 36 minutes Episode Notes Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    37 分
  • Season 5: Episode 14: Iran: Lengthy Prison Sentences for Christians

    Season 5: Episode 14: Iran: Lengthy Prison Sentences for Christians
    2025/04/11
    The Iranian government is among the most oppressive regimes in the world. It is illegal to leave Islam, and Christians face the constant threat of imprisonment on false charges of "acting against national security.” Recently, three Christian converts, including a woman who is pregnant with her first child, received lengthy prison sentences on charges relating to their religious beliefs and worship meetings. Greg Musselman, host of the Closer to the Fire podcast, is joined by Joseph Hovsepian to address the harsh verdicts against these detained believers. Joseph is the founder of Hovsepian Ministries, an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians in Iran. He knows firsthand about the extreme persecution encountered by followers of Jesus in this Middle Eastern country. Joseph’s father, an Iranian pastor named Haik, was tragically martyred for his faith in 1994. During this podcast interview, Greg also discusses with Joseph how Christians in Western countries can help their persecuted Iranian family in Christ. Length 35 Minutes Episode Notes Watch the interview with Joseph Hovsepian www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-2025-04-09.htm Hovsepian Ministries: http://www.hovsepian.com Watch the award-winning documentary, A Cry from Iran: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLeKQz4tuDo Read VOMC’s Persecution & Prayer Alert report for more information about these three imprisoned believers: www.vomcanada.com/ir-2025-03-13.htm Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    35 分
  • Season 5: Episode 13: Pakistan: Churches and Christian Homes Destroyed

    Season 5: Episode 13: Pakistan: Churches and Christian Homes Destroyed
    2025/03/28
    Pakistan's blasphemy laws have placed Christians at constant risk of being falsely accused of blaspheming Islam, the Quran or the Islamic prophet Muhammad – often leading to mob riots and harsh punishments when convicted. Despite the large number of blasphemy cases in Pakistan, most of the accusations were proven to be false. This was the case for two Christian brothers from Jaranwala, a city in the province of Punjab. In August 2023, these young men were accused of desecrating the Quran. As a result of the allegations, churches and Christian homes were targeted by an out-of-control mob. VOMC’s Minister-at-Large, Greg Musselman, recently travelled to the Christian community that was devastated by the mob attack. During his visit, he saw firsthand how the incident has impacted local followers of Jesus, and how these resilient believers are working to rebuild their houses, churches and lives in the aftermath of the violence. Length: 10:20 minutes Episode Notes To view the report from Jaranwala https://www.vomcanada.com/pk-videos/video/pk-2025-03-21.htm The Voice of the Martyrs Canada www.vomcanada.com
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    17 分