When Robert Aserian first prayed to Jesus, it was an atheist's prayer: I don't know if you are real, Jesus, but if You are please show Yourself to me. Jesus answered that prayer, and Robert has been following Him passionately—and encouraging others, including Iranian Muslims, also to follow—ever since. He even taught a class on Christian theology to Islamic clergy members.

Listen to Robert's story of coming to faith, then experiencing God's call to ministry. Robert will share about different martyrs of the church in Iran he knew and learned from, and describe how their legacy emboldened him to serve Christ inside the Islamic Republic, no matter what persecution he might face—including the day authorities came to his house early in the morning to take him to prison.

Today, Rev. Robert Aserian is the Director for Training at Pars Theological Centre, training and equipping leaders for the Iranian Church. You can hear conversations with other leaders of Pars here and here. You can also hear directly from children of some of the martyrs Rev. Aserian was inspired by, including the son of Pastor Haik Hovsepian and the daughter of Pastor Hossein Soodmand.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio. Subscribe to the podcast!

In the midst of his persecution, Pastor Dmitry "David" Shestakov remembered Christ on the cross, and determined in his heart that if Christ suffered willingly, David also would persevere through his time of suffering.

As a young man, David was a criminal and a drug user. His mother's desperate prayer to God—even though she was an atheist—led to Shestakov surrendering his life to Christ. Once surrendered, he immediately began to tell others about Jesus. He knew, early on, that such witness would be costly.

Listen to how God used letters written by VOM readers via www.PrisonerAlert.com to bless and protect David while he was in prison in Uzbekistan—even saving him from being beaten by guards. You'll also hear how the Uzbek government tried to add years to his sentence, but God miraculously moved and David was released, as he says, "like a Scripture came to life."

David will also help us know how to pray for Christians currently in prison, and for their family members.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

2020 has been eventful everywhere! But it has been especially eventful for the people of The Islamic Republic of Iran. But in the midst of great challenges—health, economic, political—God is moving! "Ali" is sharing the gospel inside Iran. Listen as he shares how God is even using the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst to spread the gospel and grow the church.

Ali will share how God answered prayers for new strategies for gospel workers to use in the midst of the pandemic and national lockdowns. He'll also share how Jesus miraculously healed two church leaders hospitalized with COVID-19.

Ali will tell more stories of God's power at work in Iran. Listen for the story of one man's dramatic encounter with Christ that opened the way for 250 people to commit their lives to Jesus.

This spiritual revival isn't coming without a price; persecution is very real. Ali and his church leaders understand that "suffering is not a bad thing" when it is God's plan. "We have to learn," he says, "to suffer well." Ali will equip us to pray for Iran in the midst of current challenges, and talk about how the move of God in Iran is crossing international borders to reach surrounding nations.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

The phone message was clear: "We know you are there! And we're going to kill you!"

Todd Lafferty received that phone message as he was preparing to host a meeting of Christian leaders in his home. He had to decide how much risk he was willing to take to continue spreading the gospel.

This week we continue our conversation with Todd about his experience as a missionary in Southeast Asia and his work now helping lead the International Mission Board.

He'll share a story of God's work among an unreached people group in Southeast Asia, and how not even persecution could stop the spread of the gospel. What powered that work? Todd will share about a women's prayer group that agreed to pray specifically every day—and how God answered their prayers.

Listen to Todd share how every listener can reach out to Muslims—and gives advice about how to prepare for those conversations. He'll also talk about the first steps for people sensing God's call to missions, and equip us to pray for gospel work around the world.

If you missed it, listen to the first part of our conversation with Todd. Please share this episode with your Christian friends; especially those considering a call to missions or Christian service.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

Todd Lafferty came to Christ as a college football player. It wasn't long after coming to faith that he sensed God's call to go and tell others—even others living outside the United States. He and his wife answered that call, serving in the United Kingdom and eventually in Pakistan.

Today Todd helps lead the International Mission Board, equipping and sending missionaries to tell the story of Jesus' love all over the world, including places where Christians face persecution.

Listen to hear Todd tell about arriving in Pakistan, fighting through the culture shock and temptation to pack up and return to familiar surroundings. He will also equip you to pray, especially for newer missionaries going through some of those same challenges today.

Finally, Todd will share the story of an Islamist Pakistani assassin who became a believer in Christ and then a bold evangelist, in spite of threats and danger.

Please share this episode with your Christian friends; especially those considering a call to missions or Christian service.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

Christians around the globe are praying specifically for persecuted Christians as we commemorate the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP). We will honor this special day as we talk about specific ways to pray for persecuted believers and pray together this week on VOM Radio.

Host Todd Nettleton will share a story from Petr Jasek’s time imprisoned in Sudan that shows the real, practical difference our prayers make for those facing persecution for Christ.

And we’ll pray together, led by Christian leaders from around the nation:

• Pastor Craig Groeschel from Life.Church
• Ed Stetzer, author, radio host, professor and executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center
• Michael Tait, lead singer of The Newsboys
• Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Greg Mundis, executive director of Assemblies of God World Missions
• Priscilla Shirer, author and speaker with Going Beyond Ministries

VOM has created resources to help you, your family and your church pray for persecuted Christians—on IDOP Sunday and throughout the year. You can download resources here. If you haven’t already, sign up to receive new prayer requests by email each week at www.iCommitToPray.com.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

In 1999 a new book presented the stories of persecuted Christians in a powerful, memorable way. The book—Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs—inspired an entire generation to passionately follow Christ, no matter the cost.

This week a new, updated version of the book releases, including some classic stories from the original edition and powerful new stories written to inspire a new generation to live like a Jesus Freak.

Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk (now the lead singer of the Newsboys), and Dan Pitts, co-manager of the band, will tell us how the original book came about and how they saw it impact readers. They’ll also talk about how the ministry baton was passed in their own families, and the impact they hope to see from this new edition of a Christian classic.

Order your copy of the revised and updated edition of Jesus Freaks HERE.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio. Subscribe to the podcast!

God is at work in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh! Even amidst the Covid pandemic, the gospel message is advancing among Rohingya people. But it's not without cost; Rohingya Christians risk intense persecution.

Dave and Pam lead Operation Mobilization's work in western and central Asia, overseeing gospel workers reaching Muslims in multiple countries. They will share first-hand accounts of the gospel's advance and the persecution Christ followers endure in their region of the world.

They will also offer advice to Western Christians who want to build a bridge to Muslims living in their countries. It starts, they say, with simple things like hospitality and friendship. Dave and Pam also give listeners encouragement for seasons of struggle and discouragement.

Finally, they will equip us to pray for God's work in Muslim nations—including praying for our Christian brothers and sisters and praying for government leaders in those nations.

November is a strategic time to pray for persecuted Christians as churches around the world commemorate the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Download resources to help you and your church pray.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

Dave and Pam lead Operation Mobilization's work in western and central Asia, overseeing gospel workers reaching Muslims in multiple countries.

Listen as they discuss their call to missions and how God led them to work among Muslims. They will also share how finishing the task of reaching the Muslim world for Christ will require a better understanding of risk—a theology of suffering that allows Christians to victoriously endure persecution.

Dave will challenge us to think Biblically about reaching Muslims, to intentionally see them as people God loves and that Jesus died for, rather than allowing our vision to be influenced by media portrayals or geopolitical animosities.

Fear is real, and Dave and Pam will talk about how it affects them, and practical ways to fight through fear and reach those around us for Christ.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.

Sean Paton leads VOM’s work on the continent of Africa, and he’ll share this week about significant changes in two African Countries: Sudan and Ethiopia.

In Sudan, there are reasons for optimism after the Sovereign Council leading the country revoked the apostasy law, which required the death penalty for anyone who left Islam to follow another faith. Sean will share how Christians in Sudan say, “no one is looking” at the church right now. While that window is open, bold believers are working diligently to advance Christ’s Kingdom.

The treatment of Christians is also changing in Ethiopia, but the trend is more persecution rather than less. Sean will help us understand some of the history of the church in Ethiopia, including how persecution is really a part of its DNA. He’ll also discuss different streams within the Christian community and how persecution is affecting each.

Sean will share the story of specific brothers and sisters who’ve faced attacks, and how they’ve responded with love and forgiveness to persecution. He’ll also talk about how VOM is helping—including letting Christian leaders know that VOM will stand with their families if God calls them to lay down their lives for His service. Finally, he’ll talk about specific ways to pray for both Ethiopia and Sudan.

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.