Episodes

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...

While Armenia is considered the world’s oldest Christian nation, its very existence is being threatened by the neighbouring country of Azerbaijan. Churches in Armenia continue to be desecrated by the Azeri military, and now the country has been given an ultimatum: If they refuse to surrender its southern border with Iran, there will be war. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Haig Kherlopian, the lead pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York. ...

While Armenia is considered the world’s oldest Christian nation, its very existence is being threatened by the neighbouring country of Azerbaijan. Churches in Armenia continue to be desecrated by the Azeri military, and now the country has been given an ultimatum: If they refuse to surrender its southern border with Iran, there will be war. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Haig Kherlopian, the lead pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York. ...

While Armenia is considered the world’s oldest Christian nation, its very existence is being threatened by the neighbouring country of Azerbaijan. Churches in Armenia continue to be desecrated by the Azeri military, and now the country has been given an ultimatum: If they refuse to surrender its southern border with Iran, there will be war. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Haig Kherlopian, the lead pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York. ...

In mid-March, 29 evangelical Christians were arrested when Eritrean security forces raided a home prayer meeting in Asmara. According to reports, 17 women and 12 men were taken to the Mai Serwa prison camp on the outskirts of the capital city. It is unknown what led to this attack. Since worship outside of government-recognized churches is illegal, most gatherings take place in private homes. However, each residential area is known to have government spies who report "unusual activities" to the ...

In mid-March, 29 evangelical Christians were arrested when Eritrean security forces raided a home prayer meeting in Asmara. According to reports, 17 women and 12 men were taken to the Mai Serwa prison camp on the outskirts of the capital city. It is unknown what led to this attack. Since worship outside of government-recognized churches is illegal, most gatherings take place in private homes. However, each residential area is known to have government spies who report "unusual activities" to the ...

In mid-March, 29 evangelical Christians were arrested when Eritrean security forces raided a home prayer meeting in Asmara. According to reports, 17 women and 12 men were taken to the Mai Serwa prison camp on the outskirts of the capital city. It is unknown what led to this attack. Since worship outside of government-recognized churches is illegal, most gatherings take place in private homes. However, each residential area is known to have government spies who report "unusual activities" to the ...

The northern Nigerian state of Kaduna has again experienced multiple attacks on predominantly Christian villages. Due to the nature of these recent attacks, the exact number of victims is not yet clear, but survivors estimate that over 80 villagers were killed and approximately 150 others kidnapped. Greg Musselman, who serves as the Minister-at-Large for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, provides more details on this latest wave of attacks. He also consults a prominent Christian leader in the cou...

The northern Nigerian state of Kaduna has again experienced multiple attacks on predominantly Christian villages. Due to the nature of these recent attacks, the exact number of victims is not yet clear, but survivors estimate that over 80 villagers were killed and approximately 150 others kidnapped. Greg Musselman, who serves as the Minister-at-Large for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, provides more details on this latest wave of attacks. He also consults a prominent Christian leader in the cou...

The northern Nigerian state of Kaduna has again experienced multiple attacks on predominantly Christian villages. Due to the nature of these recent attacks, the exact number of victims is not yet clear, but survivors estimate that over 80 villagers were killed and approximately 150 others kidnapped. Greg Musselman, who serves as the Minister-at-Large for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, provides more details on this latest wave of attacks. He also consults a prominent Christian leader in the cou...

On Easter Sunday, 2019, in Sri Lanka’s largest city and commercial capital of Colombo, Christians had gathered to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That April morning, three churches, along with three luxury hotels, were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks by suicide bombers. A total of 269 people were killed and at least 500 others were injured. Among the organizations that helped in the aftermath was the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), a valued m...

On Easter Sunday, 2019, in Sri Lanka’s largest city and commercial capital of Colombo, Christians had gathered to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That April morning, three churches, along with three luxury hotels, were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks by suicide bombers. A total of 269 people were killed and at least 500 others were injured. Among the organizations that helped in the aftermath was the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), a valued m...

On Easter Sunday, 2019, in Sri Lanka’s largest city and commercial capital of Colombo, Christians had gathered to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That April morning, three churches, along with three luxury hotels, were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks by suicide bombers. A total of 269 people were killed and at least 500 others were injured. Among the organizations that helped in the aftermath was the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), a valued m...

With the eyes of the world focussed on the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, many are asking us how The Voice of the Martyrs Canada is responding to the mounting humanitarian crisis. Floyd Brobbel, Chief Executive Officer for VOM Canada, joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to address this question and discuss why the mission needs to stay focussed on the persecuted church. Floyd also provides an update on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ministry. Length 40:00 Show ...

With the eyes of the world focussed on the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, many are asking us how The Voice of the Martyrs Canada is responding to the mounting humanitarian crisis. Floyd Brobbel, Chief Executive Officer for VOM Canada, joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to address this question and discuss why the mission needs to stay focussed on the persecuted church. Floyd also provides an update on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ministry. Length 40:00 Show ...

With the eyes of the world focussed on the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, many are asking us how The Voice of the Martyrs Canada is responding to the mounting humanitarian crisis. Floyd Brobbel, Chief Executive Officer for VOM Canada, joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to address this question and discuss why the mission needs to stay focussed on the persecuted church. Floyd also provides an update on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ministry. Length 40:00 Show ...

Nigerian teenager Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Islamic militants in 2018 and held captive for refusing to deny her faith in Jesus, while Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in broad daylight by a suspected division of the state police in 2017 because of his ministry activities. Pastor Koh’s capture was caught on surveillance cameras. The anniversary dates of both abductions were recently remembered by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Length: 6:30 The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomca...

Nigerian teenager Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Islamic militants in 2018 and held captive for refusing to deny her faith in Jesus, while Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in broad daylight by a suspected division of the state police in 2017 because of his ministry activities. Pastor Koh’s capture was caught on surveillance cameras. The anniversary dates of both abductions were recently remembered by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Length: 6:30 The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomca...

Nigerian teenager Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Islamic militants in 2018 and held captive for refusing to deny her faith in Jesus, while Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in broad daylight by a suspected division of the state police in 2017 because of his ministry activities. Pastor Koh’s capture was caught on surveillance cameras. The anniversary dates of both abductions were recently remembered by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Length: 6:30 The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomca...

After two decades of topping the World Watch List by Open Doors, North Korea has been overtaken by Afghanistan as “the most difficult and dangerous country to be a follower of Jesus.” While the challenges of persecution have not abated for Christians in North Korea, the situation has increasingly worsened for believers in Afghanistan since the takeover of the militant Islamic group, the Taliban, last August. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Afghan pastor, Ob...

After two decades of topping the World Watch List by Open Doors, North Korea has been overtaken by Afghanistan as “the most difficult and dangerous country to be a follower of Jesus.” While the challenges of persecution have not abated for Christians in North Korea, the situation has increasingly worsened for believers in Afghanistan since the takeover of the militant Islamic group, the Taliban, last August. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Afghan pastor, Ob...

After two decades of topping the World Watch List by Open Doors, North Korea has been overtaken by Afghanistan as “the most difficult and dangerous country to be a follower of Jesus.” While the challenges of persecution have not abated for Christians in North Korea, the situation has increasingly worsened for believers in Afghanistan since the takeover of the militant Islamic group, the Taliban, last August. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Afghan pastor, Ob...

Pastor Saeed Pakniat grew up in a religious Muslim home in Iran. As a young man, he started to question some of the customs and beliefs of his religion. This gradually led him to explore the life and teachings of Jesus. After receiving Christ as his Saviour, Pastor Saeed was tortured and eventually forced to flee with his family to Turkey and, later, to Canada. In addition to leading three Iranian churches in the cities of Toronto and Montreal, he also produces an online ministry that’s reaching...

Pastor Saeed Pakniat grew up in a religious Muslim home in Iran. As a young man, he started to question some of the customs and beliefs of his religion. This gradually led him to explore the life and teachings of Jesus. After receiving Christ as his Saviour, Pastor Saeed was tortured and eventually forced to flee with his family to Turkey and, later, to Canada. In addition to leading three Iranian churches in the cities of Toronto and Montreal, he also produces an online ministry that’s reaching...