VOMRadio

Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With a Mission (https://ywam.org/), is back with us this week on VOM Radio, fresh off of a visit to the nation of Nigeria. Listen as he shares why Nigeria is such a strategic nation in reaching Africa for Christ. God is working to bring people to Christ in Nigeria—including militants violently opposed to the gospel—and He’s using YWAM workers in powerful ways to build His Kingdom in that nation. Cunningham will also share advice for those seeking God’s will for their lives, advice that grows out of his decades of working with God around the world and sending out more than five million gospel workers. Finally, he’ll equip listeners with specific ways to pray for Nigeria right now. You can hear Loren’s previous conversations with VOM Radio https://secure.persecution.com/radio/default.aspx?pdid=6834 and https://secure.persecution.com/radio/default.aspx?pdid=6837. And order a copy of Loren’s latest book, End Bible Poverty Now http://amzn.to/2yteYnl (affiliate link).

Edward Ayub is back to continue our conversation about gospel work and persecution in Bangladesh. Listen as he shares about a training center where Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths come together to study the different religions. Edward shares how some Muslims who come to the center find that Jesus offers answers to questions of their heart that Islam has no answers for. He also gives advice for American Christians who want to reach out to Muslims, saying that Muslims appreciate a direct approach that openly presents the gospel. Finally, he equips listeners to pray effectively for Bangladesh and the church there. You can give online to help support front-line gospel workers in Bangladesh and other nations where they face persecution for sharing the gospel. If you missed the first half of our interview with Edward, you can listen to it here.

Edward Ayub grew up in a Muslim family, and aspired to be “one of the best Muslims.” When a Christian came to witness to Ayub during the Ramadan fast, Ayub was deeply offended. He gathered some friends and beat the Christian badly. When the Christian came back days later, Ayub was sure he was seeking revenge. Instead, that Christian forgave his attackers and continued to befriend Ayub. That response—forgiveness—forced Ayub to look more deeply at the teachings of Islam, and he found that the gospel of Christ answered questions Islam had no answer for. When Ayub chose to leave Islam behind and follow Christ, his village and even his own family turned against him. Listen to his amazing story, and hear how Christians in Bangladesh are facing persecution today, this week on VOM Radio. For more inspiring stories of brothers and sisters who are willing to face persecution rather than turn their back on Christ, subscribe to VOM’s free monthly newsletter at persecution.com

Cuban pastors go to church each week knowing government spies are planted among their congregation, people wanting to collect evidence to get the pastor arrested. It’s just one of many ways the Cuban government brings constant pressure against the church. Listen in as Jonathan Ekman, VOM’s Vice President for International Ministry, shares stories from a recent visit to Cuba and the believers he met there and how they inspired his faith. Believers in Cuba willingly pay a high price for following Christ and building His church—a price that extends to their children as well. You’ll be inspired by their faithfulness, and inspired to pray for Christians in Cuba by this conversation. You can give online to support VOM’s work in Cuba and other nations through a gift to support Front Line Ministry at https://vomradio.net/donate. 

The family in Myanmar had recently come to Christ when they were called to the monastery to stand before the entire community and a gathering of Buddhist monks. The monks explained that there was no room for Christians in that area. If the family wouldn’t denounce their new faith and return to Buddhism, then their safety couldn’t be guaranteed. Boldly, the family said that, whatever the cost, they would keep following Jesus. Within 48 hours, the high cost of their stand for Christ became clear. Listen as Brother John shares this amazing story and more stories of how God is at work in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). John will also share how “Tortured For Christ,” written by VOM’s founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, inspired him in his walk of faith and in his ministry for the Lord. Your faith will be inspired as you hear how Christians in Myanmar are advancing the gospel in spite of opposition. (You can give online to VOM’s Front-Line Ministry Fund, which provides financial help for Front Line gospel workers like John and those he leads, including things like pigs and motorcycles that he talks about in this episode.)

North Korea is heavily featured in current news, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump visits Asia. This week on VOM Radio we’ll look behind the headlines with Dr. Eric Foley, the President of VOM-Korea who oversees VOM work to encourage Christians inside North Korea and to reach North Koreans with the gospel message of Christ—North Koreans living inside North Korea and those living in other nations. Why does Dr. Foley consider North Korea to be the most religious nation on earth? What has changed in recent months that has dramatically cut the flow of North Korean people across the border into China? And how are North Koreans responding to the gospel message of salvation through Christ instead of the propaganda of the brutal Kim regime? You’ll have greater understanding and greater ability to pray effectively for North Korea after this week’s episode of VOM Radio. Learn more about the history of the church in North Korea by reading RESTRICTED NATIONS: North Korea, written by VOM Radio host, Todd Nettleton.

Our guest this week says there is a special spiritual window open right now in a place you might not expect: The Islamic Republic of Iran. “Ali” is a gospel worker in that country with amazing testimonies of how God is at work inside Iran right now, showing off His power and bringing Iranians into fellowship with Jesus. Ali will challenge us with the difference between a convert and a disciple and share stories of how Christ is making disciples—followers willing to face persecution—inside Iran. You’ll be inspired and challenged to take small steps of obedience in your own faith walk. Ali will also share ways American Christians can reach out to Muslims right here in our country. Learn more about Ali’s ministry at http://catalyticministries.com.

YWAM Frontier Missions (www.YWAMFM.com) is sending gospel workers to unreached peoples around the world, including many nations where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Listen as leaders from YWAM discuss the places where they see God working mightily today, and describe how they train church planters to thrive in hostile regions. They’ll talk about the most important quality they look for in gospel workers, a tenacity that will hang onto their faith and their calling in spite of hardship or persecution. Brian and Louise Hogan will share some of their story of planting a church in Mongolia (you can hear their full story here and here), and how that shapes the way they train church planters today. Kevin (who previously appeared on VOM Radio here) will share about how gospel workers take the training YWAM gives them and translate it into their specific cultural setting to meet the needs of the people where God has called them. (This extended online episode contains bonus portions of our interview that did not air as part of the radio broadcast version of this week’s episode.)

Dr. Carl Moeller is the CEO of Biblica: The International Bible Society, helping deliver God’s Word to people all over the world. Biblica is one of the organizations VOM partners with in delivering the Scriptures into hostile and restricted nations. Listen in as Dr. Moeller discusses Bible delivery into countries where Christians are persecuted, what it means to Christians in those countries to have their own copy of God’s Word, and the ways that persecuted Christians have inspired him to take his own walk of faith with Christ to a deeper level.

“Whenever I read the Scripture, it’s full of persecution.” For Dr. Berhane, a Christian from Eritrea, persecution is not only in Scripture, it’s also a part of his personal story. He spent 11 months in prison for his faith in Christ. But even in prison he saw God’s hand at work and found opportunities to witness to others. Listen as he shares about how prison guards would come and read the names of prisoners to be executed that day, with each prisoner wondering if that day was the day their name would be on the list. Yet in the midst of suffering and executions, Dr. Berhane says he experienced an inner peace through the presence of Jesus Christ. Today, he is a voice for persecuted Christians in Eritrea, and says there is more freedom for Christians to worship inside Eritrean prisons than there is for Christians outside of prison. Be inspired as he shares his own story, and equips us to pray for Christians currently imprisoned in Eritrea, this week on VOM Radio.