Episodes

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...

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 ...