Episodes

12
Jan. 13, 2022

Season 2: Episode 12 –A Look at the Hot Spots of Christian Persecution in 2022

According to Release International, a fellow VOM organization that also supports persecuted Christians around the world, trends indicate that Nigeria and the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to become hot spots for violence against followers of Jesus this year. Other countries of growing concern include Afghanistan, India and North Korea. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Release International spokesman Andrew Boyd about the ministry’s recently published Persecuti...
12
Jan. 13, 2022

Season 2: Episode 12 –A Look at the Hot Spots of Christian Persecution in 2022

According to Release International, a fellow VOM organization that also supports persecuted Christians around the world, trends indicate that Nigeria and the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to become hot spots for violence against followers of Jesus this year. Other countries of growing concern include Afghanistan, India and North Korea. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Release International spokesman Andrew Boyd about the ministry’s recently published Persecuti...
12
Jan. 13, 2022

Season 2: Episode 12 –A Look at the Hot Spots of Christian Persecution in 2022

According to Release International, a fellow VOM organization that also supports persecuted Christians around the world, trends indicate that Nigeria and the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to become hot spots for violence against followers of Jesus this year. Other countries of growing concern include Afghanistan, India and North Korea. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Release International spokesman Andrew Boyd about the ministry’s recently published Persecuti...
11
Dec. 29, 2021

Season 2 Episode 11 (encore) Afghanistan: Christians Face Even More Opposition

For Afghan followers of Jesus, persecution was a reality even before the Taliban returned to power. Radical Islam and violent political activity make the nation a dangerous place for Christians to live. To convert from Islam to Christianity can result in harsh consequences, even martyrdom, and yet thousands have decided to follow Christ. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman and the CEO of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Floyd Brobbel, are joined by John Weaver,...
11
Dec. 29, 2021

Season 2 Episode 11 (encore) Afghanistan: Christians Face Even More Opposition

For Afghan followers of Jesus, persecution was a reality even before the Taliban returned to power. Radical Islam and violent political activity make the nation a dangerous place for Christians to live. To convert from Islam to Christianity can result in harsh consequences, even martyrdom, and yet thousands have decided to follow Christ. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman and the CEO of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Floyd Brobbel, are joined by John Weaver,...
11
Dec. 29, 2021

Season 2 Episode 11 (encore) Afghanistan: Christians Face Even More Opposition

For Afghan followers of Jesus, persecution was a reality even before the Taliban returned to power. Radical Islam and violent political activity make the nation a dangerous place for Christians to live. To convert from Islam to Christianity can result in harsh consequences, even martyrdom, and yet thousands have decided to follow Christ. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman and the CEO of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Floyd Brobbel, are joined by John Weaver,...
10
Dec. 16, 2021

Season 2 Episode 10 Bangladesh: Christians Face Pressure Within Their Communities

According to Open Doors, Christians in Bangladesh face the greatest pressure within their general communities and private lives. Although Bangladeshi society has traditionally been open to Christianity, the nation is growing increasingly Islamic, with the government doing more to appease concerns from Muslim extremists. Islamic militants in the country pressure all groups of Christians. However, evangelical churches that work among the Muslim majority endure the most persecution. Closer to the F...
10
Dec. 16, 2021

Season 2 Episode 10 Bangladesh: Christians Face Pressure Within Their Communities

According to Open Doors, Christians in Bangladesh face the greatest pressure within their general communities and private lives. Although Bangladeshi society has traditionally been open to Christianity, the nation is growing increasingly Islamic, with the government doing more to appease concerns from Muslim extremists. Islamic militants in the country pressure all groups of Christians. However, evangelical churches that work among the Muslim majority endure the most persecution. Closer to the F...
10
Dec. 16, 2021

Season 2 Episode 10 Bangladesh: Christians Face Pressure Within Their Communities

According to Open Doors, Christians in Bangladesh face the greatest pressure within their general communities and private lives. Although Bangladeshi society has traditionally been open to Christianity, the nation is growing increasingly Islamic, with the government doing more to appease concerns from Muslim extremists. Islamic militants in the country pressure all groups of Christians. However, evangelical churches that work among the Muslim majority endure the most persecution. Closer to the F...
9
Dec. 2, 2021

Season 2 Episode 9: Pressure Increases Against Christians (An Interview with Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid)

Over the past several years, the Chinese Communist Party has increased its repressive crackdown on the Chinese church. From destructive church raids to the imprisonment of pastors, there are almost daily reports of police action against believers in China. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the founder and president of ChinaAid – an international Christian human rights organization that’s committed to promoting religious freedom in China. ChinaAid also financially su...
9
Dec. 2, 2021

Season 2 Episode 9: Pressure Increases Against Christians (An Interview with Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid)

Over the past several years, the Chinese Communist Party has increased its repressive crackdown on the Chinese church. From destructive church raids to the imprisonment of pastors, there are almost daily reports of police action against believers in China. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the founder and president of ChinaAid – an international Christian human rights organization that’s committed to promoting religious freedom in China. ChinaAid also financially su...
9
Dec. 2, 2021

Season 2 Episode 9: Pressure Increases Against Christians (An Interview with Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid)

Over the past several years, the Chinese Communist Party has increased its repressive crackdown on the Chinese church. From destructive church raids to the imprisonment of pastors, there are almost daily reports of police action against believers in China. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, the founder and president of ChinaAid – an international Christian human rights organization that’s committed to promoting religious freedom in China. ChinaAid also financially su...
8
Nov. 17, 2021

Season 2 Episode 8 Somalia: The Extreme Dangers of Following Jesus (An Interview with a Somali Christian Leader)

As there are no church buildings in this Muslim-majority nation where it's extremely dangerous to be a Christian, the total number of secret believers remains unknown. Because Islam is a critical part of Somalia’s national identity, Christian converts are likely to be harassed, intimidated, injured, or possibly even killed, by militant members of their family or community. If discovered, followers of Jesus are also at risk of attack by those in allegiance to the al-Shabab terrorist group. Yet, i...
8
Nov. 17, 2021

Season 2 Episode 8 Somalia: The Extreme Dangers of Following Jesus (An Interview with a Somali Christian Leader)

As there are no church buildings in this Muslim-majority nation where it's extremely dangerous to be a Christian, the total number of secret believers remains unknown. Because Islam is a critical part of Somalia’s national identity, Christian converts are likely to be harassed, intimidated, injured, or possibly even killed, by militant members of their family or community. If discovered, followers of Jesus are also at risk of attack by those in allegiance to the al-Shabab terrorist group. Yet, i...
8
Nov. 17, 2021

Season 2 Episode 8 Somalia: The Extreme Dangers of Following Jesus (An Interview with a Somali Christian Leader)

As there are no church buildings in this Muslim-majority nation where it's extremely dangerous to be a Christian, the total number of secret believers remains unknown. Because Islam is a critical part of Somalia’s national identity, Christian converts are likely to be harassed, intimidated, injured, or possibly even killed, by militant members of their family or community. If discovered, followers of Jesus are also at risk of attack by those in allegiance to the al-Shabab terrorist group. Yet, i...
7
Nov. 4, 2021

Season 2 Episode 7 SUDAN – NEW THREAT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AFTER COUP (An Interview with Petr Jasek, Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs)

Following a recent military coup in Sudan, international human rights organizations are warning of a new threat to the religious freedom of Christians in this northeast African nation. Under the previous military government, it not only became illegal to convert to Christianity, but some churches were forcibly closed, demolished and even burned down. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Petr Jasek, the Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs international, about the current ...
7
Nov. 4, 2021

Season 2 Episode 7 SUDAN – NEW THREAT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AFTER COUP (An Interview with Petr Jasek, Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs)

Following a recent military coup in Sudan, international human rights organizations are warning of a new threat to the religious freedom of Christians in this northeast African nation. Under the previous military government, it not only became illegal to convert to Christianity, but some churches were forcibly closed, demolished and even burned down. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Petr Jasek, the Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs international, about the current ...
7
Nov. 4, 2021

Season 2 Episode 7 SUDAN – NEW THREAT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AFTER COUP (An Interview with Petr Jasek, Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs)

Following a recent military coup in Sudan, international human rights organizations are warning of a new threat to the religious freedom of Christians in this northeast African nation. Under the previous military government, it not only became illegal to convert to Christianity, but some churches were forcibly closed, demolished and even burned down. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Petr Jasek, the Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs international, about the current ...
5
Oct. 15, 2021

Season 2 Episode 5: Nigeria: Why Do You Stay? (This podcast features an interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria and General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All)

Being a Christian in northern Nigeria can be very dangerous, especially for well-known and high-profile Christian leaders like Pastor Yunusa Nmadu. Pastor Yunusa, who is the head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, also serves as the General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All. This dedicated husband and father of two young boys explains to Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman why he chooses to remain in Nigeria, where the killing and kidnapping of Christians is an almost daily ...
5
Oct. 15, 2021

Season 2 Episode 5: Nigeria: Why Do You Stay? (This podcast features an interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria and General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All)

Being a Christian in northern Nigeria can be very dangerous, especially for well-known and high-profile Christian leaders like Pastor Yunusa Nmadu. Pastor Yunusa, who is the head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, also serves as the General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All. This dedicated husband and father of two young boys explains to Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman why he chooses to remain in Nigeria, where the killing and kidnapping of Christians is an almost daily ...
5
Oct. 15, 2021

Season 2 Episode 5: Nigeria: Why Do You Stay? (This podcast features an interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria and General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All)

Being a Christian in northern Nigeria can be very dangerous, especially for well-known and high-profile Christian leaders like Pastor Yunusa Nmadu. Pastor Yunusa, who is the head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, also serves as the General Secretary of Evangelical Church Winning All. This dedicated husband and father of two young boys explains to Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman why he chooses to remain in Nigeria, where the killing and kidnapping of Christians is an almost daily ...
4
Oct. 6, 2021

Season 2 Episode 4 Nigeria: Will the Violence Against Christians Ever End? (An Interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria)

More than 3,400 followers of Jesus were killed in Nigeria within the first 200 days of 2021. This equates to an average loss of 17 believers each day in Africa’s most populous nation. Attacks against Christians have not abated since, leaving members of the church in Nigeria – especially those residing in the northern part of the country – vulnerable to violence, kidnappings, and forced displacement from their homes and communities. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Pastor Yunusa...
4
Oct. 6, 2021

Season 2 Episode 4 Nigeria: Will the Violence Against Christians Ever End? (An Interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria)

More than 3,400 followers of Jesus were killed in Nigeria within the first 200 days of 2021. This equates to an average loss of 17 believers each day in Africa’s most populous nation. Attacks against Christians have not abated since, leaving members of the church in Nigeria – especially those residing in the northern part of the country – vulnerable to violence, kidnappings, and forced displacement from their homes and communities. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Pastor Yunusa...
4
Oct. 6, 2021

Season 2 Episode 4 Nigeria: Will the Violence Against Christians Ever End? (An Interview with Pastor Yunusa Nmadu of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria)

More than 3,400 followers of Jesus were killed in Nigeria within the first 200 days of 2021. This equates to an average loss of 17 believers each day in Africa’s most populous nation. Attacks against Christians have not abated since, leaving members of the church in Nigeria – especially those residing in the northern part of the country – vulnerable to violence, kidnappings, and forced displacement from their homes and communities. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Pastor Yunusa...