With Prime Minister Modi’s reelection,  has continued on the path to more restrictions against Christian ministry and gospel work. Christian persecution has moved from the village or community level to the national-government level under Modi’s direction. Because of these changes, earlier this year The Voice of the Martyrs changed how India is classified, from hostile area to restricted nation, a place where the government is the driver of persecution against Christians. Despite increasing persecution for Christians in India, our faithful brothers and sisters there serve the Lord—no matter the circumstances. Brother Vijay, a gospel worker from India, joins VOM Radio this week to share how Indian Christians are responding to stricter anti-conversion laws and other increasing persecution. Thousands of Christian ministries have been closed and/or had bank accounts frozen, forcing persecuted Christians to develop creative ways to continue ministry. By staying the course, they demonstrate, “Our ministry is not dependent on money, but on God.” Currently, at least 11 Indian states are enforcing strict anti-conversion laws. Some of those laws carry the threat of life sentences and hefty fines. Vijay will share stories of bold pastors persisting in their ministry after experiencing imprisonment — and one even after being thrown off a moving train! With all these pressures, Brother Vijay explains the preparation to prepare pastors should they end up in prison, and how learning the Bible is the greatest tool for Christians facing trials. Pray for Christians in India that they would be encouraged and remain hopeful amidst increasing persecution. Never miss an episode!&nbsp;&nbsp;or download the&nbsp;&nbsp;or tablet. You can also&nbsp;&nbsp;to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. COMING IN 2025: Subscribe now to Extreme Devotion, a new short, daily devotional podcast from The Voice of the Martyrs, which will begin on January 1. Subscribe now on  or .

We Will Serve the Lord No Matter the Circumstances in India

This week, we look back on some of the most moving moments shared on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2024:   Aaron Miller, VOM’s Vice President of International Ministry, gives a glimpse of his time with an African ministry partner and an African word that describes how VOM serves persecuted Christians.   Paul Dangtoumba, leader for YWAM’s work in Nigeria, shares his own story of persecution even before he was born and scars he bears today.   An expert in trauma care, Brother Philip serves as a field minister in Africa, helping VOM respond to the spiritual and emotional needs of persecuted Christians.   Jeff Woodke served as a gospel and humanitarian worker in Niger until terrorists took him hostage. Jeff and his wife, Els, share their experiences during Jeff’s six and a half years in captivity.   On a visit to China, Brother Kevin and his family were told of the Hui people who had never heard of the gospel. God called them to go to the Hui, but as the Chinese government imposed more restrictions, their missionary work in China was forcibly ended.   Luke and Kate served as medical gospel workers in Myanmar but were also forced to leave. They continue, from a distance, to see God bringing forth fruit.   Hearing the gospel on a TV program, Brother Job came to faith. He was boldly sharing the good news via social media when he was kidnapped and threatened by terrorists.   As a child, Pastor Nouh Yattara in Mali was drawn to the gospel by a simple gift of a ballpoint pen. He heard the gospel and decades later he still shares the hope he found as a child.   After hearing these brief excerpts, you’ll want to listen to the entire conversations with guests from 2024. Click on the links below to listen on&nbsp; or listen in the .                           We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank&nbsp;you for faithfully listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world! We’d love to hear from you!  what conversation in 2024 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also&nbsp;&nbsp;to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. NEW PODCAST BEGINS JANUARY 1! Subscribe now to Extreme Devotion, a short, daily devotional podcast from The Voice of the Martyrs coming in 2025. Subscribe on  or .

Moving Moments of 2024 - Part 1

On January First, The Voice of the Martyrs will launch a brand-new podcast: Extreme Devotion. Six days a week, Extreme Devotion will share a Scripture, a short story from a persecuted Christian, and an application thought. It’s a great way to spend a little time each day being inspired by the testimonies of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Every seventh day, the Extreme Devotion podcast will share one inspiring quote. Enjoy this trailer episode for Extreme Devotion, and subscribe today via ,  or wherever you listen to podcasts so that you’ll be ready to begin on Day 1 as VOM launches the Extreme Devotion podcast on January 1. Here’s the trailer episode for…Extreme Devotion.

NEW PODCAST COMING FROM THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS

Last week we began a look back on some of the most moving moments on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2024. This week, we continue to remember:   A Central Asian pastor, Brother Silas, tells how quickly new believers in Jesus there expect persecution.   Dr. David Kasali, founder and president of Congo Initiative, on making disciples in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as churches are targeted by Islamists and terrorist groups.   As conflict in the Middle East unfolded this year, Ben Barrett, who served as a leader in VOM’s ministry in Israel, including Gaza and the West Bank, was reminded that our brothers and sisters there are people God has called us to serve.   Brother Joshua, a pastor in Cuba, shares the price he and his family pay to share the gospel and serve the church even in the face of risks.  Brother David, whose father is a pastor in Cuba, knew from a young age there was a price to pay for following Christ.  Pastor “AZ,” from Kazakhstan, says the church there grew fastest during a wave of intense persecution.   Sister Sara grew up in a Muslim family in Central Asia. She shares how God drew her to stories about Jesus then called her to make a decision to follow him.   Hana shares thoughts about being reunited with her father, a pastor imprisoned in Eritrea for the past 20 years.   Shino and Shania, ethnic Somalis and devout Muslims, came to faith in Christ after Shania had a dream. They became bold witnesses for Christ.   After hearing these brief excerpts, you’ll want to listen to the entire conversations with these guests. Click the links below or listen in the .                           We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank you for listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world! We’d love to hear from you!  what conversation in 2024 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also&nbsp; to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. NEW PODCAST BEGINS JANUARY 1! Subscribe now to Extreme Devotion, a short, daily devotional podcast from The Voice of the Martyrs coming in 2025. Subscribe on  or .

Moving Moments of 2024 - Part 2

Today The Voice of the Martyrs launched a brand-new podcast: Extreme Devotion. Six days a week, Extreme Devotion will share a Scripture, a short story from a persecuted Christian, and an application thought. It’s a great way to spend a little time each day being inspired by the testimonies of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Every seventh day, the Extreme Devotion podcast will share one inspiring quote. Enjoy this very first episode of Extreme Devotion, and subscribe today via ,  or wherever you listen to podcasts

NEW PODCAST FROM THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS BEGINS TODAY

Aaron Miller, Vice President of International Ministry at The Voice of the Martyrs, joins VOM Radio this week to look back at some of God’s blessings he and his team experienced during 2024 and to look ahead at nations where VOM’s work may change or expand in 2025. Listen as Aaron recounts a visit to meet Christian widows in Nigeria. These women endured losing their husbands in violent attacks, yet they gathered to worship together and even prayed boldly for their persecutors to come to know Christ. He’ll also share the story of a God-ordained encounter with a persecuted pastor’s son in southeast Asia—and the sadness of an unmet need when that pastor was imprisoned. Aaron also tells us of meeting with a martyr’s widow who still boldly goes out to minister each week in the same area where her husband was murdered. Looking ahead to 2025, Aaron will advise listeners how to pray for Christians facing persecution in Benin, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh and Syria. He’ll also tell how Christian persecution has changed in India, which led VOM to reclassify India as a restricted nation in the . Yet Indian Christians still boldly witness for Christ—even inside prison! Finally, Aaron challenges listeners to continue to pay attention to the members of Christ’s body facing persecution in this new year—even though it can be painful to witness their suffering and loss. Aaron will suggest some specific ways to pray in these opening weeks of 2025. The first day of the new year marked the launch of a new, daily podcast from VOM: Extreme Devotion is available on ,  or wherever you listen to podcasts.  for your smartphone or tablet helps users pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as giving free access to e-books, audio books, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your  or  device today.

A Global Harvest: Updates on Persecuted Christians in Syria, Nigeria, India and other Nations

Nagy and Hope grew up in the Middle East in families that followed Christ and encouraged them to serve God and be people of His Word. They were serving the Lord doing good work in their home country when they felt God’s call to go to another county in the region: Libya. The transition was difficult and discouraging. They were forced to navigate a different community and expectations, and to learn a different Arabic dialect. With no fruit to be seen, Nagy and Hope were at times discouraged and disappointed. Yet God was working. After months of gospel work, one lady came to Hope asking questions about the gospel. Nagy and Hope were excited! They felt it was worth it to be in Libya if only one person came to Christ! Then their new friend was detained and interrogated. She cut off all contact with Hope. “It was hard,” Hope says, “but at the same time there was hope. Maybe the Lord would give us more opportunities.” The Lord did bring about more opportunities, but they didn’t come without disappoints and hardship. Nagy and Hope will share more opportunities they had to disciple new believers and the obstacles they faced. When war broke out across Libya, the Lord still called them to stay, promising protection for their family and even their neighbors. God opened the hearts of many as they saw the Lord provide in their time of need. Listen as Nagy and Hope share when the Lord clearly told them their time in Libya was over and they had to leave. Please pray for Libya and for the continued ministry of gospel workers in that country. The first day of the new year marked the launch of a new, daily podcast from VOM.&nbsp;Extreme Devotion&nbsp;is available on&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. &nbsp;for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as giving&nbsp;free&nbsp;access to e-books, audio books, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp; device today.

LIBYA: It Was Amazing to Feel God’s Presence and Protection

When Hope first mentioned to her husband the idea of moving their family to the Arabian Peninsula to continue their gospel work, Nagy’s reply was direct: “Never! Don’t mention that country to me again!” It was a dangerous place for persecuted Christians. There were many questions and worries about moving there. But then God began to answer their questions, sooth their fears and confirm His call on Nagy and Hope, and their sons. Last week, Nagy and Hope told the story of , including after ISIS took over parts of the country. They also shared that the day when God told them to leave Libya—immediately. The family returned to their home country, asking the Lord, “Where would You have us serve next?” Nagy and Hope expected a quick answer; they still had their bags packed, ready to serve when the Lord revealed where He wanted them to go. But God didn’t call them to another place for six years. At that time they wondered why; today it’s clear God was preparing their family for what was to come. Listen to hear how God revealed to Hope the country in the Arabian Peninsula where He was sending them, a country that was “not on our radar.” She’ll also share how she wrote down all the fears and worries she had about moving to that country—and how God answered her fears one-by-one, in the same order she’d written them down! Then God confirmed their call by revealing their destination to their sons, giving them also a clear sense of His calling. Listen as Nagy and Hope share the openness they’ve found among Muslims on the Arabian Peninsula, and the persecution faced by new Christian believers there. They’ll also share specific ways you can pray for gospel workers in Libya and across the Middle East. The Voice of the Martyrs recently launched a new, daily podcast;&nbsp;Extreme Devotion&nbsp;is available on&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. &nbsp;for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as giving&nbsp;free&nbsp;access to e-books, audio books, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp; device today.

“The Lord Protected Us in Libya. He Will Do It Again”

In the eyes of the Chinese Communist Party, loving Jesus makes Christians “unpatriotic.” Bob Fu, founder and president of , explains: “[The communists believe] you cannot love your country and love Jesus.” Absolute government control of churches and other religious institutions continues to tighten in China as persecuted Christians are unwilling to comply with the doctrines of the Communist Party, which is expanding efforts to “Sinicize” the church. Listen to hear how pastors and church leaders are now being charged with fraud or other financial crimes, rather than charges relating to religion. Bob Fu, author of God’s Double Agent, will also share an update on John Cao, who was released from prison last year but still is not free. The CCP continues to watch Cao’s every move, yet he continues to serve the Lord through a house church, daily prayer meetings, and a small Bible school — even baptizing new believers despite constant surveillance!  is now six years into his nine-year prison sentence. Like Richard Wurmbrand, who founded The Voice of the Martyrs and wrote hundreds of sermons in his head during his 14 years in prison, Wang Yi has written three books in prison. Wang also continues to pray daily through more than a thousand items on his prayer list. If you’d like to write letters of encouragement to Christian prisoners or petition their governments, go to . Listen as Bob Fu shares how he stays personally encouraged despite constantly hearing of the sufferings of our spiritual family in China. He also suggests specific ways to pray for our Chinese Christian brothers and sisters. The Voice of the Martyrs recently launched a new, daily podcast;&nbsp;Extreme Devotion&nbsp;is available on&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. &nbsp;for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as giving&nbsp;free&nbsp;access to e-books, audio books, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp; device today.

CHINA: “The Gospel Can Be Our Best Comfort”

With the call to invest his life in ways that will outlive him for eternity, Pastor Bennie, a ministry leader working in ten different nations in Asia and Africa, desires to finish well—just as he saw his parents do. His passion is discipleship for young people to raise up Daniels and Timothys who will use their voices for Christ. Pastor Bennie has his own story of watching his father praising God while being beaten by militants. At the age of six, Bennie asked, “Why can’t my dad protect me?” Working with young people today, he hears similar questions like, “Why is my father serving God in prison? What was his crime?” Listen as Bennie shares about gospel work in Sierra Leone, bringing medical teams to serve people who have never seen a doctor, and discipling the hearts of former Muslims growing into evangelists, pastors and church leaders. “Our job is to saturate them with the gospel,” Bennie said. He even distributes Bibles to Muslim students, knowing that God’s Word will produce fruit. You’ll learn more about  discipleship program for young people and what happened when Bennie asked, “How many of you have gone through persecution?” He will talk about serving and praying for persecuted Christians in Myanmar, India, Bangladesh and other nations. As Bennie meets with young, persecuted Christians, he is challenged as he hears their stories of persecution and suffering, yet encouraged by the faithfulness they exemplify despite imprisonment, rejection, and other abuse. Never miss an episode!&nbsp; or download the  or tablet.

Persecuted Christians Didn’t Go to Seminary, But They Have Been with Jesus

The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization that offers practical and spiritual help to persecuted Christians around the world.

Moving Moments of 2024 - Part 1

The Voice of the Martyrs - VOM Radio

Related tracks