Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman Greg Musselman

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)

The government (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Iran) of the Islamic Republic of Iran (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Iran) has been accused by several countries, including the United States, of providing training, financing and weapons – as well as safe havens – to several terrorist organizations. These militant groups include Hezbollah (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hezbollah) in Lebanon, Hamas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas) in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. Additionally, Iran was listed as number nine on the 2024 World Watch List produced by Open Doors, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world to follow Jesus. To discuss recent reports about this Middle Eastern nation, Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Hormoz Shariat, the founder and president of Iran Alive. This Texas-based ministry is working to transform Iran into a Christian nation through satellite television, discipleship programs, Bible distribution projects, and so much more. Dr. Shariat, who comes from a Muslim background, speaks with Greg about why the Iranian government is seeking to destroy Israel and eradicate Christianity. Length: 36 minutes  Episode NotesTo view the interview with Hormoz https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-govt-terrorism-persecution.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-govt-terrorism-persecution.htm)Iran Alive: www.iranalive.org (http://www.iranalive.org/)To purchase a copy of Dr. Shariat’s book, Iran’s Great Awakening: How God is Using a Muslim Convert to Spark Revival, go to: store.vomcanada.org/purchase/irans-great-awakening (https://store.vomcanada.org/purchase/irans-great-awakening) (in Canada) or https://iranalive.org/irans-great-awakening/ (https://iranalive.org/irans-great-awakening/) (in the US and other countries)Saeed Pakniat’s testimony: https://www.vomcanada.com/video/ir-forced-flee.htm (https://www.vomcanada.com/video/ir-forced-flee.htm)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)

April 14th, 2024, marks the passing of ten years since the militant Islamic group, Boko Haram, kidnapped 276 mostly Christian girls from a secondary school in the Nigerian town of Chibok, Borno State. According to a recently published BBC report, 91 of the abducted students remain missing today. During the past two years, 20 of the kidnapped victims were rescued from Boko Haram hideouts in the Sambisa forest, which is located in northeastern Borno State. However, recent reports indicate that some of the rescued women have decided to stay married to their captors. The state government’s response to this situation has sparked outrage among the parents – including Yama Bullum, who was heartbroken to discover that his daughter, Jinkai, remains married to the militant who once held her captive. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Margaret Adina. This Christian leader serves as the Director of Mara’s House, a trauma centre for women and girls near Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Rev. Adina discusses why some of these recently freed young women, who were teenagers when they were abducted ten years ago, are choosing to stay with their kidnappers. During her conversation with Greg, she also explains how traumatized Nigerian women and girls are receiving greatly needed healing and hope at Mara’s House.  Length: 40 minutes Episode Notes To Watch the Interview with Margaret Adinga https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-chibok-parents.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-chibok-parents.htm) Learn more about Mara’s House: https://www.vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-maras-house2.htm (https://www.vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-maras-house2.htm)Christian Faith Ministries: https://cfaithministries.org/ (https://cfaithministries.org/)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)  

A religious freedom advocate recently warned that a proposed Canadian law could imperil citizens’ freedom of speech and religious liberty, raising concerns for Christians across Canada.Jeff King, who serves as the president of International Christian Concern (a religious watchdog group based in the U.S.), says the proposed law, Bill C-367, would amend the Criminal Code by removing religious exemptions from Canada’s hate speech laws. If enacted, he warns that the new measures could impact public expressions of Biblical truth.In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by VOMC’s CEO, Floyd Brobbel, to talk about what it could mean for Canadian Christians if the bill or one like it is passed into law. Floyd also discusses the various degrees of persecution, and where the church in Canada is currently positioned on the persecution scale.Length: 46 minutes  Episode NotesTo watch the interview with Floyd Brobbel https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-vomc-bible-prison.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-vomc-bible-prison.htm)To purchase a copy of Trouble on the Way by Floyd Brobbel, go to: https://store.vomcanada.org/purchase/trouble-on-the-way (https://store.vomcanada.org/purchase/trouble-on-the-way) View Jeff King’s interview with CBN News: https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/persecution-watchdogs-warning-canadian-bill-could-send-christians-jail-quoting-bible (https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/persecution-watchdogs-warning-canadian-bill-could-send-christians-jail-quoting-bible) Sign up to receive VOMC’s Persecution & Prayer Alert emails and free monthly magazine: https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe (https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe) The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)

One young man who knows firsthand the brutality against followers of Jesus in Nigeria is Nankpak Kumzwam. In 2002, the then eight-year-old lost his father, mother, brother and sister when militant Muslims attacked his village. Nankpak, who was injured during the attack, was taken to a Christian orphanage where he received an education, as well as a place to live and heal from the trauma he experienced after losing four of his family members.Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman first met Nankpak during 2007 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to hear his tragic story. In this episode, Nankpak speaks with Greg about how he remained strong in his faith in Jesus after going through such a horrific event. During their conversation, Nankpak also shares about his ministry today to persecuted Christians in Nigeria and the many challenges currently facing believers in this West African nation.Length: 53 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Nankpak https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-tragedy-triumph.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-tragedy-triumph.htm)Stefanos Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation (http://www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/) a: Overcoming Tragedy and TraumaOne young man who knows firsthand the brutality against followers of Jesus in Nigeria is Nankpak Kumzwam. In 2002, the then eight-year-old lost his father, mother, brother and sister when militant Muslims attacked his village. Nankpak, who was injured during the attack, was taken to a Christian orphanage where he received an education, as well as a place to live and heal from the trauma he experienced after losing four of his family members.Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman first met Nankpak during 2007 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to hear his tragic story. In this episode, Nankpak speaks with Greg about how he remained strong in his faith in Jesus after going through such a horrific event. During their conversation, Nankpak also shares about his ministry today to persecuted Christians in Nigeria and the many challenges currently facing believers in this West African nation.Length: 53 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Nankpak https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-tragedy-triumph.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-tragedy-triumph.htm)Stefanos Foundation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation (http://www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation)The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com (http://www.vomcanada.com/)

 “Adam” (not his real name) grew up in a Muslim home in the North African country of Mauritania, where over 99 percent of the population is considered to be Muslim, and it’s illegal to leave Islam. Even though it was dangerous even to consider another religion Adam was disillusioned with the god of Islam, so he wanted to know more about Christianity. However, the churches he went to refused to let him in because he was a Muslim. That didn’t deter Adam’s desire to know more about Jesus. After a decade of searching, he met a missionary who led him to Christ. After becoming a close friend to another missionary named Chris Leggett, Adam’s faith blossomed. In 2009, tragedy rocked Adam’s world when Leggett, a married father of four, was murdered by militant Islamists for his ministry among Muslims in Mauritania. Adam became even more focused on building God’s Kingdom in the North African nation, but it came at a huge cost.Length 6:30Episode notesTo watch the video of Adam’s story https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-mr-adam.htm (https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-mr-adam.htm)To learn more about The Voice of the Martyrs Canada Equipping the Saints fund  https://store.vomcanada.org/category/donations/equipping-the-saints-fund (https://store.vomcanada.org/category/donations/equipping-the-saints-fund)