VOMRadio

Brother Jeremy, VOM’s deputy regional director for Africa, met Mary Sankagui just days after her husband—a pastor in Central African Republic—was killed for his faith in Christ and his ministry in a Muslim neighborhood. In spite of her loss, the woman Jeremy encountered had a deep sense of joy. Listen to hear Jeremy share the story of Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui, and give us an update on current persecution in CAR and how the church there is responding and training the next generation of church leaders. Cole Richards, VOM’s President, joins us first to talk about Day of the Christian Martyr (free resources here). How are Christians in free nations inspired by stories of exemplary Christians who served in the face of persecution and laid down their lives to advance Christ’s Kingdom? How can we pray for the families of martyred Christians? Learn more about the Central African Republic and the church there in VOM’s Global Prayer Guide. Never miss and episode! Subscribe to VOM Radio on your favorite podcast service. You can also access VOM Radio, as well as books, audiobooks, movies and short videos—for free—in the VOM App for your smartphone or tablet. Cole Richards is the President of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). In addition to leading VOM’s service to persecuted Christians abroad, Cole serves as Publisher and Executive Producer of VOM’s publishing and media initiatives. Cole joined VOM in 2006 after living and ministering in a restricted nation, one of the least-reached in the Middle East, where he, his wife and their children reached out to Muslims and supported persecuted Christians. Cole holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering as well as two master’s degrees: one in missiology, with a focus on evangelism in the Muslim world, and one in business administration (MBA) in the context of organizational leadership. Before entering full-time ministry, Cole served as a USAF officer, focusing on the rise of Islamic terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Covid-19 has hit hard in Syria, yet many are unwilling to acknowledge the illness in their honor-shame culture where getting sick can bring shame on a family. Brother John will update listeners on how the virus is affecting Syria—and how God’s Kingdom is advancing even amidst the pandemic. Learn what Christian persecution looks like today in Syria, and how Christians there respond. You’ll also hear specific ways to pray for Syrian Christians. John will share the story of God’s work in one family. Their son was born with a birth defect, and his mom felt such shame she attempted suicide multiple times. Then she met Jesus—and the transformation was so dramatic it radically changed the outlook for her family and impacted people all over their city. Brother John leads Ananias House, working to proclaim the light and hope of Jesus Christ in the Middle East and North Africa. To learn more about the honor-shame culture in the Middle East, listen to our conversation with Audrey Frank about sharing the gospel in an honor-shame culture. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

When Petr Jasek spent 445 days in prison in Sudan, Omar al-Bashir was the dictatorial leader of the country. Since Petr’s release, Bashir’s government has been overthrown and Bashir locked inside one of the same prisons where Petr had been held. But are things really different for Christians in Sudan? Petr will answer that question as he returns to finish the conversation we began last week about his arrest and imprisonment in Sudan. In prison, Petr felt the Lord’s presence very near as he spent hours every day reading the Bible and praying. What has he done to maintain that same closeness as he returned to his normal, busy life? The story of Petr’s imprisonment—and the ministry God allowed him inside—is told in a brand new book, Imprisoned with ISIS: Faith in the Face of Evil. You’ll receive a copy for free when you make a donation to VOM here. Petr first told his story to VOM Radio listeners nine days after his release from prison. You can hear that conversation—recorded in Prague—here. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

In 2015, Petr Jasek traveled to Khartoum, Sudan, to meet with pastors and other Christians to evaluate how The Voice of the Martyrs—a ministry Petr has served with since 2002—could help and encourage persecuted Sudanese believers. Petr was arrested at the airport on his way out of the country, charged with espionage and other crimes and sentenced to life in prison before the Czech government negotiated his release. The story of Petr’s imprisonment—and the ministry God allowed him inside—is told in a brand new book, Imprisoned with ISIS: Faith in the Face of Evil. You’ll receive a copy of this outstanding book for free when you make a donation to VOM here. Listen as Petr shares his story and updates listeners on his current ministry around the world. Petr first told his story to VOM Radio listeners just nine days after his release. You can hear that conversation—recorded in Prague—here. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio. Subscribe on your favorite podcast service.

Brother Jeremy is VOM’s deputy regional director for Africa, helping oversee all VOM projects to serve persecuted Christians on the African continent. Jeremy will update us on how Covid-19 is affecting Africa, and how VOM workers continue serving persecuted Christians in spite of the coronavirus. Jeremy will update us on the situation in Nigeria, including the amazing testimony of kidnapped Pastor Lawan Andimi—who turned his “proof of life” video into an opportunity to testify for Christ. Jeremy will also talk about how Boko Haram has expanded operations into northern Cameroon and other nations and how that’s affecting Christians. Finally, he’ll equip us to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Africa. Learn how to pray for Christians in Nigeria from VOM’s Global Prayer Guide. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast here.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, many around the world are dealing with fear and discouragement. Andrew Brunson knows those feelings well. After serving more than 20 years as gospel workers in Turkey, Pastor Andrew and Norine Brunson were suddenly arrested, accused of plotting with terrorist groups to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Norine was subsequently released, but Andrew spent two years in prison. Listen as they share how God sustained them through this time of intense testing, including the brokenness Andrew felt, and his decision to rejoice—and even dance—as an act of obedience to God. Norine will talk about how she tried to encourage Andrew on her prison visits, and even gave him scripts to help him stand against fear, depression and hopelessness. Listen to the complete conversation—three full episodes—with Andrew and Norine Brunson at www.VOMRadio.net/Brunson. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast here.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist government put India on 21-day lockdown. Every Indian is impacted—Christian, Muslim and Hindu, high caste and low caste, rich and poor. “Brother Bennie” leads Alpha Ministries and he’s in direct contact with gospel workers all over India, as well as Myanmar and Nepal. Listen as he shares what life is like right now for everyone in India, especially Christian brothers and sisters facing both persecution and pandemic. In spite of government oppression and fear of Covid-19, Indian Christians are reaching out and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. The gospel is going forth. Bennie will equip listeners to pray for India, and to reach out to Hindus who live in Western nations. Brother Bennie is a regular speaker at VOM Advance Conferences. Find out when one of these free, one-day events will be in a city near you at www.VOMAdvance.com. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Ebrahim Firouzi, a Christian convert from Islam, has been in and out of prison in Iran since 2011. Last year he completed his most recent prison sentence, but instead of being set free and allowed to go home, Ebrahim has been banished to internal exile in Sarbaz, a city near the border with Pakistan. All of these punishments are a direct result of Ebrahim’s conversion from Islam to follow Jesus and his faithful witness for Christ. This week, speaking from exile, Ebrahim shares his testimony and gives an update on his life today and God’s faithfulness during his time in prison. Multiple times, Ebrahim was given the opportunity to renounce Christ and go free; each time he refused to compromise. “I could never turn my back on my faith,” Ebrahim says. “By God’s grace I endured a few years in prison in exchange for an eternity with Him.” This interview was originally conducted in Farsi by Joseph Hovsepian, the son of martyred Iranian church leader Haik Hovsepian. We are thankful to Joseph and our friends at Hovsepian Ministries for allowing VOM Radio to broadcast this interview and share Ebrahim’s testimony. Pray for the people in Iran and other Islamic nations during Ramadan. For reminders and specific ways you can pray, follow VOM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Right now, Muslims around the world are fasting during daylight hours in an effort to show their devotion and earn Allah’s favor and approval. It is a strategic time for us, as Christians, to pray for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ as the Savior and Son of God. This week on VOM Radio we’ll hear from people working in Muslim nations and among Muslim people. They’ll help us understand what Ramadan means to Muslims and share specific ways Christians can pray. Finally, our guests will lead in prayer for God’s Holy Spirit to move among Muslims during this month. Make a commitment now to pray for Muslims to meet Jesus Christ throughout the month of Ramadan. Set a reminder on your phone, or put a note next to your Bible to remind you. Also, follow The Voice of the Martyrs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for reminders to pray throughout this important month. Guests helping us pray include: Susanna Koh, the wife of kidnapped Pastor Raymond Koh, from Malaysia. (Hear her story.) Tom Doyle, Uncharted Ministries (Previous appearances on VOM Radio.) JoAnn Doyle, Not Forgotten Ministries (Previous appearances on VOM Radio.) Dr. Mehrdad Fatehi, PARS Theological Center (Previous conversations on VOM Radio here and here.) Lucy, Global Catalytic Ministries (Listen to “Ali,” also from GCIC, here.) Amir Bazmjou, Torch Ministries (Amir’s wife, Rashin, is the daughter of martyred Iranian Pastor Hossein Soodmand. You can hear her story here and here.) Dick Brogden, Live Dead Ministries (Previous conversations on VOM Radio here and here.) Dr. Mike Ansari, Heart 4 Iran Ministries (Previous conversations on VOM Radio here and here.) Dr. Hormoz Shariat, Iran Alive Ministries (Previous conversations on VOM Radio here and here.) Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Steve and Debbie Wolcott have served for decades as missionaries in Africa, seeking to share the gospel and strengthen the church in Congo, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other nations. The Wolcotts are back this week to finish our conversation about sharing the gospel even when it’s risky. They’ve gone to dangerous places to serve the church; listen as they explain how they think about risk-taking and the values that guide their decisions—decisions that have affected not only Steve and Debbie but their children as well. Perhaps you or people you know are sensing God’s call to serve Him in missions. Steve and Debbie, as experienced missionaries, are uniquely qualified to advise and encourage on that journey. They’ll talk about discerning and answering that call, as well as their own journey of saying yes to God’s call—separately and together—to serve Him and His church in Africa. They will also equip listeners to pray for missionaries, and for the church in some of the African nations where they work—and where Christians are persecuted for the name of Christ. You can hear Part 1 of our conversation with the Wolcotts here. Steve and Debbie are a part of Africa Inland Mission. Learn more about their ministry here.