Episodes

Andrew van der Bijl, better known as Brother Andrew, was a Dutch missionary who became famous for smuggling Bibles into Communist countries at the height of the Cold War. He expanded his ministry to persecuted Christians by founding the global organization now known as Open Doors. For his courageous missionary activities, he earned the nickname "God's Smuggler." Brother Andrew passed away on September 27th at the age of 94. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman talks to Brother Andrew’s longtim...

There are times when it is appropriate for the followers of Jesus to fight for one’s legal rights. The Apostle Paul did so on several occasions, and it could be argued that he defended his legal rights to further the Kingdom of God. Even Jesus defended Himself at one point during His trial – not to protest His suffering, but as a testimony of His innocence. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Mervyn Thomas, the founder and president of Christian Solidarity Wor...

There are times when it is appropriate for the followers of Jesus to fight for one’s legal rights. The Apostle Paul did so on several occasions, and it could be argued that he defended his legal rights to further the Kingdom of God. Even Jesus defended Himself at one point during His trial – not to protest His suffering, but as a testimony of His innocence. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Mervyn Thomas, the founder and president of Christian Solidarity Wor...

There are times when it is appropriate for the followers of Jesus to fight for one’s legal rights. The Apostle Paul did so on several occasions, and it could be argued that he defended his legal rights to further the Kingdom of God. Even Jesus defended Himself at one point during His trial – not to protest His suffering, but as a testimony of His innocence. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Mervyn Thomas, the founder and president of Christian Solidarity Wor...

Recent raids on house churches in China have raised concerns, for these incidents could signify a shift in governmental policy. It's estimated that about 80 percent of the persecution presently taking place in China is being directed towards unauthorized house churches. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the president of ChinaAid, to find out why this shift is taking place. During this episode, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s increasing crackdown ...

Recent raids on house churches in China have raised concerns, for these incidents could signify a shift in governmental policy. It's estimated that about 80 percent of the persecution presently taking place in China is being directed towards unauthorized house churches. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the president of ChinaAid, to find out why this shift is taking place. During this episode, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s increasing crackdown ...

Recent raids on house churches in China have raised concerns, for these incidents could signify a shift in governmental policy. It's estimated that about 80 percent of the persecution presently taking place in China is being directed towards unauthorized house churches. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the president of ChinaAid, to find out why this shift is taking place. During this episode, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s increasing crackdown ...

As India’s Hindu population reaches nearly one billion, nationalism within the country is on the rise. Fundamentalist Hindus are calling for the nation to be purged of all non-Hindus, leaving Christians increasingly vulnerable to persecution. Since 2016, the cases of persecution have worsened yearly and, in 2020, India ranked 10th on the list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Another reason for the escalating number of attacks on Indian followers of Jesus is the growth o...

As India’s Hindu population reaches nearly one billion, nationalism within the country is on the rise. Fundamentalist Hindus are calling for the nation to be purged of all non-Hindus, leaving Christians increasingly vulnerable to persecution. Since 2016, the cases of persecution have worsened yearly and, in 2020, India ranked 10th on the list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Another reason for the escalating number of attacks on Indian followers of Jesus is the growth o...

As India’s Hindu population reaches nearly one billion, nationalism within the country is on the rise. Fundamentalist Hindus are calling for the nation to be purged of all non-Hindus, leaving Christians increasingly vulnerable to persecution. Since 2016, the cases of persecution have worsened yearly and, in 2020, India ranked 10th on the list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Another reason for the escalating number of attacks on Indian followers of Jesus is the growth o...

A year after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, the promise of a less militant version of the Islamic group has not materialized. This has been the case in spite of promises made to the international community, a source the country relies on for billions of dollars in funding. Life for women, girls, and citizens who are seen as unsupportive of the Taliban’s brand of Islam – including Christians – is difficult and dangerous. Shoaib Ebadi is the President and Executive Director of Square O...

A year after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, the promise of a less militant version of the Islamic group has not materialized. This has been the case in spite of promises made to the international community, a source the country relies on for billions of dollars in funding. Life for women, girls, and citizens who are seen as unsupportive of the Taliban’s brand of Islam – including Christians – is difficult and dangerous. Shoaib Ebadi is the President and Executive Director of Square O...

A year after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, the promise of a less militant version of the Islamic group has not materialized. This has been the case in spite of promises made to the international community, a source the country relies on for billions of dollars in funding. Life for women, girls, and citizens who are seen as unsupportive of the Taliban’s brand of Islam – including Christians – is difficult and dangerous. Shoaib Ebadi is the President and Executive Director of Square O...

Note: For security reasons, the identities of this episode’s podcast guests, and their present residing country, cannot be disclosed. For two years, “Pastor Amir” was brutally tortured while imprisoned in the Middle East. According to his daughter “Sarah,” the former Muslim was arrested for his Christian activities (including distributions of food and Bibles, as well as sharing the Gospel message. He was falsely accused of spying for a neighbouring country. Following his release, “Pastor Amir” a...

Note: For security reasons, the identities of this episode’s podcast guests, and their present residing country, cannot be disclosed. For two years, “Pastor Amir” was brutally tortured while imprisoned in the Middle East. According to his daughter “Sarah,” the former Muslim was arrested for his Christian activities (including distributions of food and Bibles, as well as sharing the Gospel message. He was falsely accused of spying for a neighbouring country. Following his release, “Pastor Amir” a...

Note: For security reasons, the identities of this episode’s podcast guests, and their present residing country, cannot be disclosed. For two years, “Pastor Amir” was brutally tortured while imprisoned in the Middle East. According to his daughter “Sarah,” the former Muslim was arrested for his Christian activities (including distributions of food and Bibles, as well as sharing the Gospel message. He was falsely accused of spying for a neighbouring country. Following his release, “Pastor Amir” a...

Based on stats of the previous year, human rights experts are predicting a record-setting year of violence against Nigeria’s Christians for 2022. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded a total of 31 attacks on Nigerian churches and Christians throughout 2021. Yet, so far, about halfway through 2022, there have already been more than 23 separate attacks on believers. The deadly raid on a church in southwestern Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday (see https://www.mnnonline.org/news/su...

Based on stats of the previous year, human rights experts are predicting a record-setting year of violence against Nigeria’s Christians for 2022. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded a total of 31 attacks on Nigerian churches and Christians throughout 2021. Yet, so far, about halfway through 2022, there have already been more than 23 separate attacks on believers. The deadly raid on a church in southwestern Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday (see https://www.mnnonline.org/news/su...

Based on stats of the previous year, human rights experts are predicting a record-setting year of violence against Nigeria’s Christians for 2022. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded a total of 31 attacks on Nigerian churches and Christians throughout 2021. Yet, so far, about halfway through 2022, there have already been more than 23 separate attacks on believers. The deadly raid on a church in southwestern Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday (see https://www.mnnonline.org/news/su...

For the past 25 years, Ray Thorne has devoted his life to encouraging and helping persecuted believers around the world. Ray joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to share his experiences in South Sudan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the invaluable lessons he has learned from those who have paid the price for their faith in Jesus. Ray also recounts his first trip with The Voice of the Martyrs USA and how it almost became his last. For the past eight years, Ray and his wife Denice h...

For the past 25 years, Ray Thorne has devoted his life to encouraging and helping persecuted believers around the world. Ray joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to share his experiences in South Sudan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the invaluable lessons he has learned from those who have paid the price for their faith in Jesus. Ray also recounts his first trip with The Voice of the Martyrs USA and how it almost became his last. For the past eight years, Ray and his wife Denice h...

For the past 25 years, Ray Thorne has devoted his life to encouraging and helping persecuted believers around the world. Ray joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to share his experiences in South Sudan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the invaluable lessons he has learned from those who have paid the price for their faith in Jesus. Ray also recounts his first trip with The Voice of the Martyrs USA and how it almost became his last. For the past eight years, Ray and his wife Denice h...

Followers of Jesus in Nigeria are constantly vulnerable to deadly attacks from militant Muslims. According to international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe, the ongoing violence can be described as a “genocide” of Christians. Mr. Ogebe presently lives in Washington, D.C., where he serves as Special Counsel of the Justice for Jos Project. He speaks with Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman about the relentless persecution of Christians in Nigeria, sharing stories of not only suffering but al...

Followers of Jesus in Nigeria are constantly vulnerable to deadly attacks from militant Muslims. According to international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe, the ongoing violence can be described as a “genocide” of Christians. Mr. Ogebe presently lives in Washington, D.C., where he serves as Special Counsel of the Justice for Jos Project. He speaks with Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman about the relentless persecution of Christians in Nigeria, sharing stories of not only suffering but al...