North Korea is a country that fascinates many of us – not least because it seems so secretive. What is life like there? What’s it like being a Christian in North Korea?

In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we continue our conversation with Eric Foley, head of our sister ministry, Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Last month Eric spoke about his ministry – and how it was transformed by listening to, and understanding, North Korean Christians. Listen now as Eric suggests how we are to view and pray for our North Korean brothers and sisters in Christ.

The first of two podcast conversations with Eric Foley, Voice of the Martyrs Korea.

In his letter to the Colossians the Apostle Paul emphasises that our sufficiency is in Christ alone, “for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and [we] have been filled in him.” And yet Paul speaks of his sufferings.

In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to Eric Foley, head of our sister ministry, Voice of the Martyrs Korea. What does ministry to North Korean Christians look like – and how did Voice of the Martyrs Korea begin?

“Released from a small prison to a bigger prison.” That’s how life is described for many Chinese Christian pastors who have been imprisoned for their gospel ministry and who continue to live under heavy surveillance after their release.

In this edition of the Voice podcast we speak to Release International partner Bob Fu, president of the Christian organisation ChinaAid. Hear Bob describe the current political situation in China, and what that means for Christians and for the Christian church.  Bob also shares some of the challenges faced by high-profile pastors – even after they are released from prison.

“I am asking God that out of these ashes will rise a wave of an uncommon, unseen revival.” So said Nigerian Archbishop Ben Kwashi, commenting on two decades of violence against Christian communities in that country.

In this edition of Release International’s Voice Podcast we speak to journalist Andrew Boyd, who serves as Press Officer for Release International. Andrew has visited Nigeria on several occasions to report on the suffering of Christians.

He shares his analysis of the atrocities in Nigeria and discusses why it is important to hear the stories of persecution – and how he has been inspired by some of the Christians he has met.

While in prison the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, “pray for us, that God may open a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” 

In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we continue our current focus on Nigeria. We speak to Mark Mukan, who oversees one of the projects Release International is supporting in that country – a project which seeks to take the gospel back to those areas ravaged by violent persecution. 

You can hear from Mark Mukan in June when he is in the UK for a series of speaking events. Find out more here: releaseinternational.org/events

For the past two decades Christians in northern and central Nigeria have endured horrendous violent persecution. Thousands have been killed and many more forced to flee, in the face of Islamist extremist attacks. This month Release International has launched a three-month campaign called Out of these ashes to focus attention on the situation in Nigeria and to call Christians to committed prayer. 

In this edition of Release International’s Voice Podcast we speak to Mark Lipdo, a Release International partner in Nigeria, about one particular response to the suffering of Christians in that country. Hear about the Trauma Healing Workshops his organisation runs and some powerful testimonies of the positive impact those workshops have had on Christians who have suffered persecution. 

Iran is a country with a long history going back into the Old Testament. Oppression, frustration and a lack of hope have characterised life for many of its citizens since the establishment of an Islamic Republic in 1979. Christians there have faced persecution for their faith but the church has continued to grow.

In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast hear from Simon from Transform Iran. He speaks about life in Iran and about how God has been at work, even as his people have suffered. 

Twen had been a Christian for only 2 years when she was arrested and imprisoned in Eritrea at the age of 21. She had no idea she would spend the next 16 years locked away in the Eritrean prison system for choosing to follow Jesus. Over the years she suffered intense persecution, but by the grace of God, she survived violent beatings, isolation in scorching-hot shipping containers, deprivation of water and food, and even being thrown into a pit of poisonous snakes.

There’s more of her story in the latest edition of Release International’s Voice magazine. But hear from her now on this episode of the Voice podcast as we had the privilege of speaking to Twen after she was released from prison.

It’s the start of a new year – 2023 is well and truly here. What are you looking forward to this year? Unfortunately, for millions of Christians across the world today, this new year will mean another year of persecution. 

Following the recent publication of Release International’s Persecution Trends report for 2023, which highlights the pressures Christians are likely to face in several key areas over the year, we are speaking to the CEO’s of three of our sister ministries. On today’s podcast, hear from Cole Richards of VOM USA, Tony Benjamin of VOM Australia and Floyd Brobbel of VOM Canada. Listen in as we discuss some of the key areas where persecution is expected to rise this year, as well as how all this information can help all of us and our churches to be better informed, and to pray.

You can read the Persecution Trends report for 2023 in our January magazine or on our website: www.releaseinternational.org/persecution-trends-2023 

On this episode, hear Pastor Jihad, who is the leader of the True Vine Baptist church in Zahle, Lebanon, share his personal testimony and how God prepared him to help those fleeing the war in Syria. 

As a child he was himself displaced from his home by the Syrian army, but God is now using him to reach Syrian refugees – those who were once seen as his enemy.  We'll hear how the church is overcoming daily challenges – to live the best and ‘most satisfying’ life for Christ.