Episodes

The persecution of Christians in China is the most severe it’s been in more than four decades. That’s the assessment of Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid, an organization dedicated to promoting religious freedom, advancing the rule of law, and exposing human rights abuses in China. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Dr. Fu about recent reports detailing the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to harass, detain and oppress followers of Jesus. Dr. Fu also provides an...

A growing crackdown on Christians in Iran has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 33 believers, including church leaders, and the detention of more than 130 other followers of Jesus in recent months. According to Iran Alive Ministries, a Texas-based organization supporting underground house churches, Iranian authorities have also banned religious broadcasts and criminalized listening to Christian programming. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Shah Ahmadi...

More than 388 million Christians around the world face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus. According to extensive research by Open Doors, that’s one in seven Christians globally. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by David Witt, the CEO of Spirit of Martyrdom, an organization that supports national Christian leaders and believers living in high-risk, hostile and restricted regions, including India and Mexico. Length: 40:30 Epi...

Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues the legacy of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand by raising awareness of the challenges faced by persecuted Christians around the world. While many believers in Canada and other Western nations may assume that financial support is the greatest need, persecuted Christians often ask for something more: for their stories to be told, their voices to be heard, their prayer requests to be shared, and governments to advocate on their behalf. One of VOMC’s core values is serv...

At least 25 Christians were killed during recent attacks on two villages in Plateau State, Nigeria. Among the victims were nine members of the same Christian family, including a two-month-old infant. Reports indicate that the family may have been specifically targeted by Islamic militants due to their connection with Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo, a Christian leader who has publicly condemned the ongoing violence against followers of Jesus in Nigeria. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Mu...

In Pakistan, the punishment for a blasphemy conviction is the death penalty. While no one has yet been executed under these laws, many allegations frequently result in lengthy legal battles, prolonged imprisonment, and significant other hardships for the accused and their families. False allegations have led to riots and Christians being killed. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Salim Arthur, who knows firsthand what can happen when false blasphemy allegations are made. Re...

Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Throughout this time, churches were demolished, worship gatherings violently disrupted, crosses in graveyards vandalized, and Bibles confiscated and burned. Pastors have been falsely accused of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, resulting in the physical assaults and imprisonment of these Christian leaders. In 2015, there were 177 reported incidents of persecution. By 2024, that number had surged to 83...

Islamic militants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo claim to have killed more than 80 Christians during several recent armed assaults in the northeastern region of the country. The deadliest incident is believed to have claimed the lives of an estimated 60 believers, whom the attackers referred to as "Christian combatants." The Islamic State Central Africa Province claims to have killed nearly 1,000 Christians in northeastern DRC since December 2024. Dr. David Kasali serves as the founder ...

Ranking second on the 2026 World Watch List, Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus. Public Christian worship is forbidden; conversion from Islam is illegal; and the militant terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, continues its violent campaign to eliminate Christianity – openly executing anyone suspected of having faith in Jesus. In the midst of this intense persecution, God is powerfully at work. Through the ministry of Somalia Christian TV, countless Som...

The governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province recently signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect, raising the minimum age for marriage to 18 and strengthening protections for vulnerable youth. It is hoped that this legislation will help prevent the kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls across the country. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Shulammite Nasir, a Pakistani Christian now living in Canada, to discuss the...

In a recent episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, we invited listeners and viewers to take a practical step toward “Actively Remembering the ‘Church Persecuted’” by signing a petition to the Russian Embassy. The petition called for the safe release of Ms. Park Tae-yeon, a 70-year-old South Korean missionary currently being held in a Russian detention centre. To view this episode, visit: https://www.vomcanada.com/video/ru-2026-04-20.htm. In this episode, we turn our attention to the second p...

Abuses to Nigeria’s human rights charter for ‘freedom of religion or belief’ are still prevalent today. This is particularly alarming for Christians located in the country’s northern states and Middle Belt region who are at serious risk of threats, violent attacks, abductions, as well as assaults on their members of clergy and places of worship. Governance concerns at the state level, such as delayed security responses and the consequential culture of impunity that’s breeding among various armed...

At VOMC, we are committed to remembering and serving the “church persecuted.” One of the key ways we live out this calling is by praying for and advocating on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are imprisoned because of their faith and ministry. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman highlights a meaningful opportunity for you to partner with us in this vital mission by signing a petition on behalf of Ms. Park Tae-yeon, a longtime Korean missionary. After decade...

More than one hundred Christians were among groups of prisoners released from Eritrean detention centres in late 2025 and early 2026. Many of these believers had endured years of captivity in some of the country’s most notorious facilities – places long recognized for inhumane treatment and severely cramped living conditions. Notably, none of the recently released individuals had ever been formally charged with a crime. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. ...

Christians in Iran are facing escalating danger and uncertainty following recent Israeli-American military strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the current conflict has intensified instability, persecution against followers of Jesus in Iran is far from new. For the past 47 years – since the rise of the radical Islamic regime – Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds, have endured systemic repression. In this episode, podcast host Greg Musse...

On July 9th, 2011, South Sudan officially became an independent nation, making it the world’s youngest country. The nation experienced two years of relative peace and growing prosperity before civil war erupted in 2013, triggering a massive humanitarian crisis. Today, 13 years later, South Sudan continues to struggle under the weight of ethnic tensions, political instability, unfulfilled promises, and the ongoing effects of conflict – leaving many to describe it as a fallen state. In this episod...

A deeply troubling trend is unfolding in the world’s most populous nation. Over the past decade, Christians in India – particularly in the northern regions – have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been attacked, burned or forcibly closed. In addition, believers were beaten, pastors have encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests under the country’s anti-conversion laws, the burning of Bibles had repeatedly taken place, and reports have emerged of forced reconversion...

Ranking second on the 2026 World Watch List, Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus. Public Christian worship is forbidden; conversion from Islam is illegal; and the militant terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, continues its violent campaign to eliminate Christianity – openly executing anyone suspected of having faith in Jesus. In the midst of this intense persecution, God is powerfully at work. Through the ministry of Somalia Christian TV, countless Som...

In the world’s most populous nation, a deeply troubling trend is unfolding. Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been burned or forcibly closed down, pastors encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests due to the country’s anti-conversion laws, numerous Bibles were destroyed, and Christian girls were subjected to kidnapping and assault. In 2015, there were 177 recorded cases of persecution against followers of Jesus. By 202...

Concerns are growing over potential threats to religious freedom in Canada, including restrictions that could hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. One of the more recent issues relates to proposed amendments to Bill C-9, which is currently under review by members of the Canadian Parliament. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Canadian Criminal Code in areas relating to propaganda and hate speech. In the latest episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman speaks with VOMC’s CEO, ...

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been accused by several countries, including the United States, of providing training, financing and weapons – as well as safe havens – to several terrorist organizations. These militant groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. Additionally, Iran was listed as number nine on the 2024 World Watch List produced by Open Doors, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world to follow Jesus. To discuss...

There is plenty of evidence indicating that men and women suffer differently when they are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Emma, the director of an organization that is dedicated to addressing gender-specific religious freedom issues. (Due to the nature of her work, Emma’s last name is not publicly disclosed.) During the interview, this valued ministry partner of VOMC discusses the various ways in which gender-s...

A nationwide crackdown on urban house churches in China has drawn worldwide attention after nearly 30 members of the Zion Protestant Church were arrested in seven cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, to unpack the reasons behind these recent arrests and why the international media is finally paying attention. During the interview, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist P...

In Pakistan, a distorted concept of “honour,” strict blasphemy laws and systemic injustice contribute to the ongoing persecution of Christians – especially young women. Each year, hundreds of female followers of Jesus face abduction, forced marriage, coerced conversion to Islam, and various forms of abuse. In her newly published book, Our Sisters, author Anna Townsend draws on extensive research and a compassionate interviewing style to share the powerful stories of Christian women in Pakistan w...