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

Bringing Hope and Healing to Persecuted Christian Women

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

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

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.

Paul Paduhiloa, 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 Paduhiloa 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

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

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

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

The church in Pakistan faces opposition and persecution in numerous ways. Not only are the country’s notorious blasphemy laws being used to target the Christian minority, each year thereare hundreds of cases in which individual Christian girls have been abducted, abused, forcefully married, and/or converted to Islam against their wills. Additionally, churches that engage in outreach activities are prone to opposition.

In November, Greg Musselman and his ministry colleague Stephen Wesley travelled to Lahore to teach VOMC’s Theology of Persecution and Discipleship course to over 30 local pastors. During their trip, Greg and Stephen also visited a brickyard where they met and interviewed modern-day Christian slaves. They then travelled to Jaranwala, a city in Punjab province, where 26 churches and more than 100 buildings and homes belonging to Christians were destroyed due to blasphemy allegations in August 2023.

During this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, Greg and Stephen discuss their recent experiences in Pakistan and how – despite the many challenges facing the church in this primarily Islamic country – God’s Kingdom is continually moving forward.

Length: 37 minutes

To View the interview with Stephen Wesley https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/ctff-pk-strengthening-embattled.htm

Episode Notes

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

While the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to one of Africa's largest Christian-majority populations, militant Muslim groups severely persecute believers along the nation's eastern border with Uganda. When rebels capture groups of people, they often release the Muslims while killing any Christians who refuse to convert to the Islamic faith. Amid the ongoing violence, the church in this war-torn country is under immense pressure.

Dr. David Kasali serves as the founder of the Congo Initiative, a Christ-centred educational institution that seeks to bring spiritual transformation to the country. He joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to discuss the violent attacks on followers of Jesus in the DRC, the many other challenges facing the nation’s believers, and the reasons why he chose to return to such a dangerous place despite the risks.

Length: 40 minutes

Episode Notes

To view the interview with Dr. Kasali https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cd-ten-years.htm

Congo Initiative: https://congoinitiative.org

Pray for the Democratic Republic of the Congo: https://www.vomcanada.com/drc.htm

On February 13th, 2017, a Malaysian pastor named Raymond Koh was kidnapped in broad daylight by a group of men in the greater Kaula Lumpur area while on his way to a friend's house. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, providing evidence that least 15 men in three black SUVs were part of the abduction. More than seven years later, his wife Susanna continues to search tirelessly for answers regarding her husband's disappearance.

Todd Nettleton, host of VOM Radio for the Voice of the Martyrs USA, has reported on the pastor’s mysterious disappearance ever since the incident took place, and then later interviewed Susanna Koh to hear her story. During this episode of Closer to the Fire, Todd joins podcast host Greg Musselman to address recent developments in the case and discuss whether Pastor Raymond may still be alive after all these years. During the interview, Todd also provides insight into the various challenges presently facing other followers of Jesus in Malaysia.

Length: 27 minutes

Episode Notes

To watch the interview with Todd Nettleton https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-my-wheres-koh.htm

To purchase your copy of Todd’s book, When Faith is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontline with Persecuted Christians, go to: https://store.vomcanada.org/purchase/when-faith-is-forbidden

Listen to VOM Radio at: https://www.vomradio.net

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com