Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman Greg Musselman

For Christians in Iran who convert from Islam, there is not even a semblance of tolerance for their faith. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal in this Middle Eastern nation, and anyone discovered to be a member of a house church can be charged with a crime against national security. Followers of Jesus who are arrested and detained may also be subjected to torture and abuse during imprisonment.Despite the intense opposition to the Gospel, Iran is considered home to the fastest-growing church in the world. One of the ministries working in this oppressive country is the American-based organization, Iran Alive. This partner of Voice of the Martyrs Canada is witnessing a deep spiritual hunger among the Iranian people, and many are turning to faith in the Lord! In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Lily Meschi, the Director of Partner Relations for Iran Alive, about the various challenges and opportunities facing Christians in her home country. Lily also shares the story of her journey to Jesus, how she survived a 14-year abusive marriage, and her passion for seeing women in Iran and beyond experience the same freedom she now enjoys in Christ.  Length: 45 minutes Episode NotesTo view the interview with Lily Meschi https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-bringing-light.htmIran Alive Ministries: https://iranalive.org/ (https://iranalive.org/) Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/) 

A sessions court in Islamabad has handed down a 25-year prison sentence to a Muslim man for murdering a Christian woman three years ago after she turned down his marriage proposal. Judge Azam Khan of the Islamabad Sessions Court convicted Muhammad Shahzad (also known as Shani) for the murder of 24-year-old Sonia Allah Rakha while acquitting three other suspects who had been involved in the case.Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman discusses this landmark verdict with Asher John of Kross Konnection, a digital media platform that advocates for human rights on behalf of vulnerable minorities living in this Muslim-majority nation. During their conversation, Asher also provides an update on a recent incident in which a pastor in Jaranwala faked his assassination, and describes the current situation for followers of Jesus in an area where thousands of militant Muslims burned churches and Christian homes this past August.In addition, Asher and Greg preview a documentary focussing on the plight of Pakistan’s Christian women and girls, who are being kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and then married against their wills – incidents that have been taking place with alarming frequency throughout the country.Length: 37:30  Episode Notes  To watch the interview with Asher John The Voice of the Martyrs Canada - Closer to the Fire (vomcanada.com) (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-sentence-murder.htm)   View the Stolen Lives documentary: www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YQXm_5Lo0Ig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YQXm_5Lo0Ig) Kross Konnection: www.krosskonnection.pk (http://www.krosskonnection.pk/) The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)

Nearly all Christians in northeastern Nigeria have lost family members due to the violence perpetrated by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the region’s militant Fulani Muslims. Since the onslaught of violence began, thousands of followers of Jesus have been killed each year, and entire congregations were subsequently displaced. Remaining active in the church takes great courage and faith, as believers worship and serve Christ openly despite risk of attack. Recently, Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman and VOMC’s trusted ministry partner, Stephen Wesley, travelled to Kaduna State to present the Theology of Persecution and Discipleship course to pastors from the Muslim-dominated regions of northern Nigeria. In this episode, Greg and Stephen discuss how these influential Christian leaders were impacted by the teaching. During their conversation, Stephen also reflects on his meeting with two Christian men who suffered the loss of multiple family members because of their faith in Jesus. Length: 46:30 minutes Episode NotesTo Watch the interview with Stephen Wesley https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-persecution-teaching.htm (https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-persecution-teaching.htm) Beyond Borders Ministries: www.beyond-borders.ca (http://www.beyond-borders.ca/)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/) View Greg’s interview with Nankpak Kumzwam: www.vomcanada.com/video/ng-tragedy-triumph.htm (http://www.vomcanada.com/video/ng-tragedy-triumph.htm)

For Christians in Iran who convert from Islam, there is not even a semblance of tolerance for their faith. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal in this Middle Eastern nation, and anyone discovered to be a member of a house church can be charged with a crime against national security. Followers of Jesus who are arrested and detained may also be subjected to torture and abuse during imprisonment.Despite the intense opposition to the Gospel, Iran is considered home to the fastest-growing church in the world. One of the ministries working in this oppressive country is the American-based organization, Iran Alive. This partner of Voice of the Martyrs Canada is witnessing a deep spiritual hunger among the Iranian people, and many are turning to faith in the Lord!In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Lily Meschi, the Director of Partner Relations for Iran Alive, about the various challenges and opportunities facing Christians in her home country. Lily also shares the story of her journey to Jesus, how she survived a 14-year abusive marriage, and her passion for seeing women in Iran and beyond experience the same freedom she now enjoys in Christ. Length: 45 minutesEpisode NotesTo view the interview with Lily Meschi https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-bringing-light.htmIran Alive Ministries: https://iranalive.org/ (https://iranalive.org/)Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/) 

With an estimated 22,200 followers of Jesus, Tunisia’s Christian population comprises only a tiny minority of the country’s 12.2 million people. If a believer's faith is discovered in Tunisia, it can have a profoundly damaging impact on their daily life – including subjection to verbal/physical abuse, rejection by loved ones, and/or job insecurity. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with two Christian leaders about the various challenges facing the church in this North African nation. During their conversation, they also discuss how Christian media is being used to reach the Muslim-dominated culture with the hope of the Gospel.Length 27:30Episode NotesTo watch the video https://vomcanada.com/tn-videos/video/tn-risks-challenges.htmFor more information about what life is like for Christians in Tunisia, go to: www.vomcanada.com/tunisia.htm (http://www.vomcanada.com/tunisia.htm)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)

Six Kenyan merchants, all of them professed followers of Jesus, were recently killed in a border town between Kenya and Somalia. Those responsible for the incident are suspected to be members of al-Shabaab, a militant Islamic group based in Somalia. The six victims of the attack had been selling plastic utensils and other household goods for the past six years. It’s believed that the Christians were killed because they were active in sharing the Gospel with local Muslims. On the 2024 World Watch List, Open Doors ranked Somalia as second among the 50 listed nations considered to be the most difficult for those practising Christianity.In this edition of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by a Somalian Christian leader who equips and trains followers of Jesus living in the war-torn country. “Joshua” (not his real name) provides insight into the many challenges facing believers in the Muslim-majority nation and why the church continues to grow amid intense persecution, even in areas where there are no church buildings. During the interview, the Muslim-background believer also shares about his personal journey to faith in Jesus. Length 45:30The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Somalia, visit: https://www.vomcanada.com/somalia.htm (https://www.vomcanada.com/somalia.htm)