Episodios

  • Season 5: Episode 14: Iran: Lengthy Prison Sentences for Christians

    Season 5: Episode 14: Iran: Lengthy Prison Sentences for Christians
    Apr 11 2025
    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 m
  • Season 5: Episode 13: Pakistan: Churches and Christian Homes Destroyed

    Season 5: Episode 13: Pakistan: Churches and Christian Homes Destroyed
    Mar 28 2025
    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 m
  • Season 5: Episode 12: Bringing Hope and Healing to Persecuted Christian Women

    Season 5: Episode 12: Bringing Hope and Healing to Persecuted Christian Women
    Mar 20 2025
    In many nations, Christian women face extreme persecution, and often their situations are too shameful to publicly acknowledge. The social stigma attached to these acts of violence frequently becomes a barrier when attempting to effectively prosecute the perpetrators of such attacks. Beyond the broader gender-based persecution affecting marginalized communities, Christian women and girls endure targeted sexual violence, trafficking, and even threats against their lives, as forms of punishment for their faith. Despite these attempts to silence Christian voices through terror, there is hope for our persecuted sisters in Christ. Greg Musselman, host of the Closer to the Fire podcast, speaks with “Kate” (whose real name is being withheld for security reasons) about why believers in the West have a critical role in addressing the suffering of our Christian sisters, and what we can do to help bring them hope and healing. Kate is a trusted ministry partner of VOMC who serves as an advisor for Gender and Religious Freedom, a global ministry network that facilitates training, advocacy and research on gender-specific persecution. During the interview, Greg and Kate will also explore what the Bible says about the mistreatment of women, as well as the ways in which God’s Word affirms their inherent value and dignity. Length: 46 minutes Episode Notes Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com Gender and Religious Freedom: www.genderandreligiousfreedom.org
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    46 m
  • Season 5: Episode 10: Vietnam: Christians Face Opposition and Violence

    Season 5: Episode 10: Vietnam: Christians Face Opposition and Violence
    Mar 17 2025
    Several followers of Jesus have recently experienced situations of severe persecution in the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam. In one recent case, a house church leader identified as Brother Ting was tragically killed after he refused to stop holding worship meetings. A week after Brother Ting was murdered, his wife Mar was found dead in her home, leaving the couple’s children orphaned. Brother Paul , who serves as the Project Partner Manager for Voice of the Martyrs Australia, joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to discuss why Christians are encountering escalating opposition in many rural communities throughout this Communist nation. During their conversation, Paul explains how the global body of Christ is coming alongside persecuted Vietnamese believers to provide greatly needed support, relief and encouragement. He also describes the specific ways in which VOM Australia is supplying financial and emotional support to the traumatized children of Brother Ting and Mar. Length: 32 minutes To Watch the interview with Paul Paduhilao https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-vn-2025-02-06.htm Episode Notes Voice of the Martyrs Australia: www.vom.com.au Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    32 m
  • Season 5: Episode 11: Nigeria: Standing With Persecuted Christians

    Season 5: Episode 11: Nigeria: Standing With Persecuted Christians
    Feb 28 2025
    Nearly all Christians in northeastern Nigeria have lost family members due to the violence perpetrated by terrorist groups. Entire congregations have been displaced, and many pastors have been forced to leave the region. In the midst of the volatile situation, it takes great courage and faith to openly worship and serve Christ in this West African nation, where more followers of Jesus are killed each year for their faith than all the other countries of the world combined. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Mark Lipdo, the founder and CEO of Stefanos Foundation. For the past 23 years, this foundation has met the needs of hundreds of thousands of victims in Nigeria. Today, the ministry continues to faithfully stand alongside persecuted Christians who have suffered turmoil, forced displacement and the loss of family members. Amid ongoing concerns about the spread of Christian persecution throughout Nigeria, Mark explains why providing practical care, love and support to these suffering believers is more crucial than ever. Length: 39 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Mark Lipdo https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2025-02-28.htm Stefanos Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com Pastor Gideon Dawel’s story: https://vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-gideon-tragedy-forgiveness.htm Nankpak Kumzwam’s story: https://vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-nanpak-2024.htm
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    39 m
  • Season 5: Episode 9: India: Anti-Conversion Laws Used Against Christians

    Season 5: Episode 9: India: Anti-Conversion Laws Used Against Christians
    Jan 24 2025
    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 m
  • Season 5: Episode 8: The Mission of VOM Canada: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

    Season 5: Episode 8: The Mission of VOM Canada: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
    Jan 3 2025
    For over 50 years, the Voice of the Martyrs Canada has been serving the persecuted church worldwide. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Floyd Brobbel, the Chief Executive Officer for VOM Canada. We invite you to tune in as they look back at what the ministry has accomplished throughout 2024, and then look ahead to some of the opportunities that will be available in 2025 to encourage and embolden Christ's followers in the world’s hostile and restricted countries. Floyd will also talk about the motivation for writing his most recently published book, United in Prayer. Length 46:00 Episode Notes To watch the interview with Floyd Brobbel https://vomcanada.com/fromvomc/video/vomc-2025-01-02.htm For more information on Floyd’s books: United In Prayer: store.vomcanada.org/category/new/united-in-prayer Trouble on the Way store.vomcanada.org/category/all/books/trouble-on-the-way Trouble on the Way Study Guide: store.vomcanada.org/category/all/books/trouble-on-the-way-study-guide
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    46 m
  • Season 5: Episode 7: Afghanistan: Opportunities for the Gospel Amid Challenges

    Season 5: Episode 7: Afghanistan: Opportunities for the Gospel Amid Challenges
    Dec 20 2024
    During recent years, the international community has witnessed the scope of the Taliban’s brutal rule in Afghanistan since the militant group regained power over the nation in August 2021. Amid the Taliban’s draconian restrictions on the rights of women and girls – together with the use of arbitrary arrest and detention, plus enforced disappearance and torture – the militants insist that there are now no Christians residing in the country. Most house churches that existed before the Taliban’s takeover have since been closed, forcing many believers to either flee the country or go even further underground. In this edition of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Brother Adib, an Afghan Christian leader who currently resides in Canada. Adib shares how he came into a relationship with Jesus in 2006, the opposition he faced for his decision to leave Islam, and how he escaped Afghanistan with his family. Adib also explains why he is so passionate about reaching Afghans with the Gospel message here in Canada – as well as in Afghanistan and other nations around the world – through his ministry work with the Jesus Network and Afghan Church of Toronto. Length: 50 minutes To view the interview with Adib Maxwell https://vomcanada.com/af-videos/video/af-opportunities-gospel.htm Episode Notes Jesus Network: www.jesusnetwork.ca Afghan Church of Toronto: www.afghanchurch.ca Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com
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    50 m
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