VOMRadio

Jonathan Ekman is VOM's vice president for international ministry, overseeing VOM's work to serve and stand with persecuted Christians in the 70+ countries where they are persecuted. This week he'll help us look ahead to 2020 and equip us to pray for persecuted Christians—and for VOM workers who directly serve them—in the New Year. Jonathan will talk about persecution response, including specific examples of what VOM's work looks like and how it is carried out inside hostile and restricted nations. He'll talk about specific places where the need for VOM's work is increasing, including India, China and Iran. He'll also talk about how VOM's staff members think about risk as they work in hostile and restricted nations—and what kind of people he's looking for to join VOM's international ministry team. To help you pray effectively for persecuted Christians in 2020, request your free copy of VOM's newly-released 2020 Global Prayer Guide. Listen to Jonathan's message—previously broadcast on VOM Radio—entitled "The Gospel Wildfire."

This week, we'll finish our two-part look back at some of the amazing stories God allowed VOM Radio to tell in 2019. We'll share stories of God's people in restricted nations in Asia, and look at how persecution affects not only the Christian being persecuted directly, but their family members as well. Hearing small pieces of these episodes will make you want to hear the whole conversation with each of these guests. Here are links to listen online to all the episodes excerpted this week (you can also search for each episode in your favorite podcast app): Brother Enfu from China, who sees constant government surveillance as an opportunity to witness for Christ. Another pastor from China shares about why China's government is so worried about church growth. Brother Josh tells the story of a Christian in Laos who was fired from his job for following Jesus. Dr. Eric Foley shares the amazing faithfulness of Pastor Han, martyred by North Korean agents inside China. Norine Brunson was very intentional to encourage her husband, Pastor Andrew Brunson, while he was in prison in Turkey, and she shares how much the prayers of Christians around the world meant to her and Andrew. Andrew shares about one of the low points of his imprisonment, and how he felt victorious even in that low moment. Dr. Mary Ho paints for listeners a clearer picture of John Chau, the young man martyred on North Sentinel Island in 2018. Rashin Soodmand remembers her father, martyred in Iran when Rashin was only 13 years old. Susanna Koh tells us the pain of missing her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in Malaysia almost three years ago. Esther Koh talks about trying to forgive those who abducted her father, without knowing what happened to him or what exactly she needs to forgive. (You can sign a petition on behalf of Pastor Raymond Koh at www.ReleaseRaymond.com.) Please share this episode with Christian friends who share your heart for our persecuted Christian family in hostile and restricted nations.

This week and next on VOM Radio, we'll look back at some of the amazing stories God has allowed us to tell in 2019. This week we'll focus especially on stories of God's work in Muslim nations, places like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Afghanistan and other Islamic nations where Christians often face persecution. Hearing small pieces of these conversations will make you want the whole story from each of these guests. Here are links to listen online to all the episodes excerpted this week (you can also search for each episode in your favorite podcast app): Brother Hannu from Finland, who talked about how God grabbed his heart for Muslims Lowen, from Operation Mobilization, who gives us five "good F-words" to reach out to Muslims John Weaver, author of Najiba Audrey Frank, author of Covered Glory Brother Rachid, who ministers to Muslims all over the world via television, internet and phone calls Hormoz Shariat of Iran Alive Ministries, who speaks via satellite television into Iran every evening Mariam, rescued by Jesus while trying to commit suicide in Iran

VOM this week issued a Special Report about the church in Iran—a timely subject in light of current mass protests all over that nation. This special bonus episode of VOM Radio works hand-in-hand with that special report to help you understand current events in Iran and how they are affecting our Christian brothers and sisters there. Peter Smith has been praying for and watching events in Iran for more than two decades. He's made connections with Christian workers inside the country and Persian ministries around the world, giving him a unique understanding of what is happening in the country and how the church is being impacted. Request your copy of the VOM Special Report about the church in Iran. Listen to how Peter came to adopt Iran for prayer—and the blessings that resulted—in this episode of VOM Radio. Also, search for other guests involved in ministry to Iran by using the search bar at www.VOMRadio.net.

"Sister Nilufar" (not her real name) is ministering in the name of Jesus and sharing the gospel inside the Islamic Republic of Iran—a nation riven by protests and upheaval in recent weeks. It's also a nation where Christians are persecuted by their government. Listen as Nilufar tells the story of a young woman, Eldora, who became a follower of Christ—leaving behind a difficult life and becoming a bold witness among members of her family. God revealed the pain in her past and rescued her from a life of depression and addiction. Eldora immediately began to bring friends and family members to meet the Savior who had rescued her life, and God revealed to Nilufar that He had significant plans for one of Eldora's friends, Sara, like the Samaritan woman in John 4. You'll be encouraged and amazed as you hear stories of God working in miraculous ways inside Iran—inspiring Christians with specific ways to share the gospel and reach out to their countrymen. VOM just issued a special report on current events and how they are affecting the church in Iran. Request your copy at www.VOMRadio.net/IranReport.

Javed and Lowen are working with Operation Mobilization to reach people in Afghanistan with the gospel and disciple new believers to follow Jesus in spite of persecution and violence. Listen as they share how God is working in Afghanistan, in spite of Taliban influence and Christian persecution that often starts with a new believer's own family. What are the challenges Afghan believers face? And what are the response of Afghans—both positive and negative—when they encounter the gospel of Jesus Christ? There is encouraging news as well: the Afghan church is growing, and Muslims are seeing the difference Jesus makes. Listen for the story of a threatened Christian family who were defended by their Muslim neighbors. Javed and Lowen will also help us understand how to pray for Afghanistan and for the church there—and why that ministry is so important right now. Finally, they will share insights on ministering to Muslims, including five F's to help American believers reach out to Muslims living here in the United States.

YouVersion's Bible App was one of the very first apps available to install on an iPhone. Since launch, the app has been installed on 400 million devices worldwide, giving people all over the world—including nations where Christians are persecuted—free access to God's Word. But Brian Russell, the man who leads the YouVersion team, doesn't have a background as a tech entrepreneur. Instead, his background is ministry, including living and doing gospel work in a closed country. Listen as Brian talks about his ministry work, how VOM influenced him, and the how the Bible App was created—as a side project. He'll also share about the reach YouVersion has today and the impact it's making by putting God's Word into the hands and hearts of people all over the world.

Thirty years ago this month the Berlin Wall came down. Within days, communism had fallen in Eastern Europe. This week we'll hear how these events affected Christians living behind what had been the Iron Curtain, from two eyewitnesses. Petr Jasek grew up behind the wall as the son of a pastor in Czechoslovakia, and saw the dramatic changes first-hand as fellow Christians celebrated opportunities they'd never imagined under communism. He will talk about those exciting days in his country, and how the legacy of persecution still affects the Czech church today. Merv Knight is the co-founder of VOM-Australia and a long-time associate of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM's founders. He'll share how VOM responded to the wall's fall, immediately swinging into action to take aid and Bibles to brothers and sisters in newly-freed nations. At the time, many thought that the window of freedom might not remain open for long. Christians that VOM workers found were desperate for God's Word and thrilled to have access to Bibles and other evangelism tools. You can hear Petr share about his imprisonment in Sudan here. You can hear Merv share about his experiences with the Wurmbrands and the early days of VOM's ministry here and here.

In 2016, missionaries Norine Brunson and her husband, Pastor Andrew Brunson, were arrested in Turkey. Norine was released 12 days later, but Andrew remained in prison for two years. Norine remained in Turkey throughout his imprisonment to support Andrew and fight for his freedom. Listen as Norine tells VOM Radio how she helped Andrew battle for his faith and freedom as she watched him suffer and as they both missed significant family events in the United States during Andrew's imprisonment. Hear Norine describe the lowest point in Andrew's imprisonment and how she saw God bring good out of even the darkest days of Andrew's discouragement and doubt. Norine also shares with VOM Radio listeners how they can pray for the nation of Turkey as well as for the families of Christians imprisoned because of their faith in Christ. Listen to the VOM Radio interview with Pastor Andrew Brunson here. You can purchase a copy of Andrew's book, God's Hostage, here (affiliate link).

Dr. Mary Ho, executive leader of All Nations, is back to continue our discussion of the life and legacy of John Chau, killed one year ago this month attempting to take Jesus' love to the people of North Sentinel Island. John's sacrifice has drawn comparisons to Jim Elliott and Nate Saint, and Mary will talk about the qualities they shared, especially a sacrificial, deep love for Jesus. Mary will tell us more about All Nations, the ministry she leads which sent John to the island, including how they train missionaries and church planters all over the world and then coach each one as they put their training into practice. She will also discuss what it will take to reach the hardest places—places like North Sentinel Island—with the gospel message. John Chau felt called to North Sentinel Island after reviewing this list of unreached people groups; would you consider choosing one unreached people group to specifically pray for? You can connect online with All Nations-USA or All Nations-International, and listen to Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Mary Ho about John Chau's life, calling and ministry.