In this personal episode of Prisoners of Hope, Joshua Youssef sits down with his father, Dr. Michael Youssef—Egyptian-born theologian, founder of global ministry Leading the Way, and author of many books—for a conversation about the faith that has shaped the persecution of Christians for over 1,400 years. Drawing from his PhD research on radical Islamic movements, his own family's survival as Egyptian Christians, and his escape from Egypt during the Six-Day War, Dr. Youssef explains what Islam is and how it has shaped the Middle East. This episode also previews his forthcoming book, An Unholy Alliance, which examines the troubling partnership between Western socialism and Islamist movements.

The Reverend Pat Allerton joined our team in Lebanon this summer to experience the work of our team firsthand. There, he visited safe houses, preached to Syrian refugees in our Haven, and helped in a vegetable distribution from our Seeds of Hope Farm! Most significantly, he joined our team in a local river to baptize over 40 refugees who have come to faith in Christ. Pat joins Joshua Youssef to talk about the trip and how it impacted him to spend time with people who have given up everything for the sake of Christ.

What does it look like when over 120 Muslim-background believers gather to celebrate Jesus—despite the threat of death? In this episode from the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted, Josh shares stories from his recent trip to Iraq: a descendant of Muhammad who returned to witness to the family that tried to kill him, a former ISIS child soldier who encountered Jesus through a TV film, and a radical Shia mother who saw Christ in a vision. These aren't victims—they're victors who've been redeemed from the hand of the foe. Plus, hear an update about Help The Persecuted's ministry...and an exciting year-end opportunity to have your gifts doubled in impact!

Leading up to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted on November 2, Help the Persecuted CEO Joshua Youssef explores prayer's transformative power with Dr. Karen Ellis, director of the Edmiston Center for Christian Endurance Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. 

Dr. Ellis shares how persecution differs from general suffering, the power of the Lord's Prayer to reorient us from self to kingdom, and why prayer unites one global church. Hear an astonishing revival story: eight churches "reduced to prayer" reached 250,000 homes and baptized 15,000 people in five years! 

Discover Jesus's boldest prayer, how sacrificial love is shifting hostility, and what restricted believers teach us about endurance. There's no "persecuted" and "free" church—only one body suffering and hoping together.

When a widow's husband is murdered for his faith, she's left with seven children and a death threat. When explosions strike near Yasmin's home and doctors say her son won't survive, she makes a desperate prayer that changes everything. When Bushra's husband dies, she can't even afford to bury him.

Joshua Youssef and Samar share stories from our Widow's List ministry—a high-risk ministry rescuing widows who face double persecution as women in Islamic societies and believers in Christ. Hear how sustainable businesses are breaking poverty cycles and reaching entire families with the gospel where such work can mean imprisonment or death.

A former ISIS child fighter takes his first communion. A man whose father locked him in a burning shop for following Jesus says he "lost everything but gained everything." Iraqi believers risk death traveling 12 hours through militia checkpoints for their only chance all year to worship with other Christians.

Join Josh Youssef and Brother Salam as they share stunning stories from Help the Persecuted's Enduring Faith Conference in Iraq—a gathering where 110 converts from Islam came together to worship, many seeing another Christian face-to-face for the first time all year...or in their lives.

After losing his best friend to Hamas torture, Aaron Abramson—CEO of Jews for Jesus—found Christ in a Jerusalem church led by a converted Druze pastor ministering to former Muslims. In this episode, Josh interviews Aaron about how the tragedy of October 7, 2023 is sparking the most unexpected revival. Secular Jews who never questioned their worldview are suddenly asking: "Why do people hate us so much? Is there any meaning in this suffering?" Jewish conversion rates have quadrupled.

But the real story isn't just numbers—it's transformation. Aaron shares jaw-dropping accounts of supernatural reconciliation: former enemies becoming family, ancient hatred melting into brotherhood, and the gospel doing what politics, education, and peace treaties never could.

Listen today to get a front-row seat to watching God turn one of the most intractable conflicts into a powerful demonstration of grace.

In this week's Prisoners of Hope episode, Joshua Youssef interviews Bassem, who leads Help The Persecuted's work in Morocco, and two other persecuted Christians who have found dignity and independence through our Enduring Livelihood Minsitry. He shares how converts from Islam face complete rejection—losing family, jobs, and safety nets—while secret police maintain constant surveillance and neighbors gossip about their faith.

Despite these pressures, Bassem reveals how safe houses shelter those on the run, Muslims are coming to faith in Christ, and new businesses like Abdu and Ibrahim's electronics shop create employment for young believers who have lost everything because of their faith.

In this week’s Prisoners of Hope episode, host Joshua Youssef interviews Field Minister Aseel, who serves on the ground in Libya. She shares while militias brutally target minorities through kidnapping, slavery, and violence, Christians endure even more horrors—beatings, mock executions, and forced conversions. Despite constant threats and betrayal by neighbors who might “sell her off,” Aseel shares how God helps her courageously continue her ministry while witnessing to Muslims about authentic Christianity amid unimaginable danger.

Joshua Youssef travels to a safe house in a closed country to interview Ibrahim, an Iranian believer who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his faith. From a life destroyed by addiction to a radical transformation through Christ, Ibrahim shares how he came to faith years ago and boldly served the underground church in Iran despite repeated warnings from Iranian intelligence. After posting bail, he fled to a neighboring country, awaiting reunification with his family. His story reveals the severe persecution facing Christians in Iran today and the unstoppable power of the Gospel even in the darkest places.