In the world’s most populous nation, a deeply troubling trend is unfolding. Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been burned or forcibly closed down, pastors encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests due to the country’s anti-conversion laws, numerous Bibles were destroyed, and Christian girls were subjected to kidnapping and assault.

In 2015, there were 177 recorded cases of persecution against followers of Jesus. By 2024, that number had surged to 834 – and experts warn that the real figure is much higher, as countless incidents go unreported.

Joining VOMC’s Greg Musselman to discuss this alarming situation is “Anika” (whose real name has been changed for security reasons). Anika is a lawyer and CEO of an NGO, using her legal expertise to defend and support persecuted Christians throughout India.

Length: 31 minutes

Episode Notes

To watch the interview with “Anika” https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-in-2026-01-19.htm

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

India Country Profile https://vomcanada.com/india.htm

Support VOMC’s Legal Defence Fund: https://store.vomcanada.org/category/donations/legal-defence-fund

Concerns are growing over potential threats to religious freedom in Canada, including restrictions that could hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. One of the more recent issues relates to proposed amendments to Bill C-9, which is currently under review by members of the Canadian Parliament.

The proposed bill seeks to amend the Canadian Criminal Code in areas relating to propaganda and hate speech. In the latest episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman speaks with VOMC’s CEO, Floyd Brobbel, about the implications of Bill C-9 and how it could affect faith communities across the country. During the interview, Floyd also shares VOMC’s priorities for 2026 and addresses how we can respond to these challenges.

Length: 46 minutes

Episode Notes

To read Floyd’s full statement on Bill C-9, go to: https://www.vomcanada.com/ceo-2025-12-22.htm

To learn more about the proposed legislation, visit: https://evangelicalfellowship.ca/c9

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been accused by several countries, including the United States, of providing training, financing and weapons – as well as safe havens – to several terrorist organizations. These militant groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. Additionally, Iran was listed as number nine on the 2024 World Watch List produced by Open Doors, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world to follow Jesus.

To discuss recent reports about this Middle Eastern nation, Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Hormoz Shariat, the founder and president of Iran Alive. This Texas-based ministry is working to transform Iran into a Christian nation through satellite television, discipleship programs, Bible distribution projects, and so much more. Dr. Shariat, who comes from a Muslim background, speaks with Greg about why the Iranian government is seeking to destroy Israel and eradicate Christianity.

Length: 36 minutes

Episode Notes

To view the interview with Hormoz https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-govt-terrorism-persecution.htm

Iran Alive: www.iranalive.org

To purchase a copy of Dr. Shariat’s book, Iran’s Great Awakening: How God is Using a Muslim Convert to Spark Revival, go to: store.vomcanada.org/purchase/irans-great-awakening (in Canada) or https://iranalive.org/irans-great-awakening/ (in the US and other countries)

Saeed Pakniat’s testimony: https://www.vomcanada.com/video/ir-forced-flee.htm

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

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 last name is 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 to the lives of persecuted believers in the midst of suffering.

Length: 56 minutes

Episode Notes

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

A nationwide crackdown on urban house churches in China has drawn worldwide attention after nearly 30 members of the Zion Protestant Church were arrested in seven cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, to unpack the reasons behind these recent arrests and why the international media is finally paying attention. During the interview, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s escalating campaign against Christians – and why this wave of persecution is considered the most severe crackdown since the beginning of the Cultural Revolution.

This interview was produced by Voice of the Martyrs Australia. 

Length: 48 minutes

Episode Notes

To watch the intervew with Dr. Bob Fu https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cn-2025-12-30.htm

ChinaAid: www.chinaaid.org 

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

In Pakistan, a distorted concept of “honour,” strict blasphemy laws and systemic injustice contribute to the ongoing persecution of Christians – especially young women. Each year, hundreds of female followers of Jesus face abduction, forced marriage, coerced conversion to Islam, and various forms of abuse.

In her newly published book, Our Sisters, author Anna Townsend draws on extensive research and a compassionate interviewing style to share the powerful stories of Christian women in Pakistan who have been forced into marriage. Throughout the process, she highlights the courageous faith of these women and their families, as well as the tireless efforts of activists who are working to help them.

In this episode of Closer to the Fire, Anna joins podcast host Greg Musselman to discuss the heartbreaking realities experienced by our Christian sisters in this region of the world – and what we can do to stand with them in their fight for justice.

Length: 56 minutes

Episode Notes

To watch the full interview with Anna Townsend https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-2025-11-23.htm

Dislocated Christians: https://www.facebook.com/DislocatedChristians

To purchase your copy of Anna’s recently published book, Our Sisters, visit: https://ko-fi.com/anna3369/shop

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Violence against Christians in Nigeria has sparked sudden international attention and debate, with some referring to the ongoing crisis as genocide. In September, news commentator Bill Maher stated that “Islamists and Boko Haram [militants] were systematically killing Christians in Nigeria, attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”

More recently, U.S. President Donald Trump declared Nigeria “a country of particular concern” and warned of military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to protect its Christian population. However, Nigerian authorities deny the claims that followers of Jesus are being deliberately targeted and that a genocide is underway.

In this powerful episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, the CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, joins host Greg Musselman to explore the facts behind the headlines. During the interview, they address the ongoing suffering of believers in Nigeria and examine whether the repeated acts of brutal violence – and the resulting large number of fatalities – amount to genocide. CSW Nigeria is a partner with VOM Canada.

Length: 40 minutes

To watch the interview with Yunusa Nmadu https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2025-11-06.htm

Episode Notes

Christian Solidarity Worldwide: www.cswng.org.ng

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, evangelical Christians are facing intensifying persecution. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Mykhailo Brytsyn, Director of the Religious Freedom Initiative for Mission Eurasia and pastor at Grace Church of Evangelical Christians.

Rev. Brytsyn, who also serves as secretary of the International Council in southeastern Ukraine, discusses recent Russian court rulings that have forcibly shut down at least five church buildings and placed three others under investigation. A sweeping court order issued in September 2024 now threatens the activities of approximately 2,500 evangelical congregations within Russia.

Additionally, Rev. Brytsyn shares sobering insights into the dangerous realities facing believers residing within Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, inviting us to stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters who continue to follow Jesus amid war and oppression.

Length: 51 minutes

Episode Notes

Mission Eurasia: www.missioneurasia.org

To read Rev. Brytsyn’s report, “Faith Under Russian Terror: Analysis of the Religious Situation in Ukraine” visit: https://missioneurasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Mission-Eurasia-report-on-Ukraine-ENG.pdf

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Ranked number one on Open Doors’ World Watch List, North Korea remains the most dangerous place in the world for followers of Jesus. Church life is virtually nonexistent, gathering for worship or prayer is impossible, and even secret expressions of faith carry grave risks. Christians live under constant surveillance from government spies, neighbours, teachers, and even family members. Being reported for Christian activities can lead to execution or lifelong imprisonment in brutal labour camps. Yet, despite such intense persecution, the Gospel message continues to reach hearts in this Hermit Kingdom – including through the powerful Christian radio broadcasts that are being supported by VOMC.

In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman speaks with Dr. Eric Foley, who serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Although listening to foreign broadcasts is illegal and highly punishable in North Korea, Dr. Foley shares how God is using shortwave radio programs to disciple believers and spread the hope of Christ throughout one of the most restrictive nations on earth. During the interview, he also discusses the launch of a new program that’s aimed at further strengthening the country’s resilient underground church.

Length: 1 hour 12 minutes

Episode Notes

To view the interview with Dr. Foley: https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-kp-2025-09-24.htm

The Voice of the Martyrs Korea: www.vomkorea.com

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Throughout this time, churches were demolished, worship gatherings violently disrupted, crosses in graveyards vandalized, and Bibles confiscated and burned. Pastors have been falsely accused of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, resulting in the physical assaults and imprisonment of these Christian leaders. In 2015, there were 177 reported incidents of persecution. By 2024, that number had surged to 834, with many more cases likely going undocumented.

In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, human rights advocate Tehmina Arora, the founding trustee of Alliance Defending Freedom India, joins host Greg Musselman to discuss this alarming trend. They explore how anti-conversion laws are being misused to target followers of Jesus, the broader implications for religious freedom, and the heartbreaking issue of forced marriages in both India and Pakistan.

Length: 36 Minutes

To view the interview https://vomcanada.com/in-videos/video/in-2025-09-11.htm

Episode Notes

Alliance Defending Freedom International www.adfinternational.org/

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Persecution and Prayer Alert https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe#q40771