Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman

Greg Musselman
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Semimonthly

The “Closer to the Fire” podcast addresses the persecution of Christians in various restricted nations around the world. By presenting informative interviews with Christian leaders on the front lines, this regular podcast serves to raise awareness, support and prayer on behalf of those who are suffering for their faith in Jesus. “Closer to the Fire” is produced by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, a non-profit organization that has served persecuted Christians for more than 50 years. To learn more about the ministry of VOM Canada, go to www.vomcanada.com Hosted by longtime television broadcaster Greg Musselman, who also represents VOM Canada as the organization’s Minister-at-Large, this podcast will keep you up to date on the latest global situations involving today’s persecuted church. Greg joined VOM Canada in 2003 and, over the years, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians during his extensive international travels.

  1. Oct 16

    China: Pastor and Church Members Detained, Underground Church Raided

    The persecution of Christians in China is the most severe it’s been in more than four decades. That’s the assessment of Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid, an organization dedicated to promoting religious freedom, advancing the rule of law, and exposing human rights abuses in China. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Dr. Fu about recent reports detailing the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to harass, detain and oppress followers of Jesus. Dr. Fu also provides an update on Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church, who remains imprisoned because of his Christian ministry. Length: 46 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Dr. Bob Fu https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cn-2026-10-14.htm ChinaAid: www.chinaaid.org Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

  2. Oct 2

    Iran: Dozens of Christians Killed, Hundreds Detained Amid Intensifying Crackdown

    A growing crackdown on Christians in Iran has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 33 believers, including church leaders, and the detention of more than 130 other followers of Jesus in recent months. According to Iran Alive Ministries, a Texas-based organization supporting underground house churches, Iranian authorities have also banned religious broadcasts and criminalized listening to Christian programming. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman speaks with Shah Ahmadi, an evangelist, pastor and Director of Strategic Alliances for Iran Alive Ministries. As a former Muslim who lived under Iran’s repressive regime for 22 years, Shah shares firsthand insights into the challenges facing Christians in his homeland and explains how God continues to work powerfully amid increasing persecution. Length: 45 minutes Episode Notes To Watch the Interview with Shah Ahmadi https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-2026-10-02.htm Iran Alive Ministries: www.iranalive.org Mohammad Nikbakht Article https://articleeighteen.com/news/23834/ Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

  3. Sep 18

    The Rise of Persecution and the Resilience of the Church

    More than 388 million Christians around the world face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Jesus. According to extensive research by Open Doors, that’s one in seven Christians globally. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by David Witt, the CEO of Spirit of Martyrdom, an organization that supports national Christian leaders and believers living in high-risk, hostile and restricted regions, including India and Mexico. Length: 40:30 Episode Notes To watch the interview with David Witt https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-2026-09-15.htm Spirit of Martyrdom: https://spiritofmartyrdom.com To purchase David Witt’s books, visit: https://sombookstore.com Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

  4. Sep 4

    The Vision and Mission of VOMC: An Interview with CEO Floyd Brobbel

    Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues the legacy of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand by raising awareness of the challenges faced by persecuted Christians around the world. While many believers in Canada and other Western nations may assume that financial support is the greatest need, persecuted Christians often ask for something more: for their stories to be told, their voices to be heard, their prayer requests to be shared, and governments to advocate on their behalf. One of VOMC’s core values is serving the persecuted church according to the expressed needs and wishes of our Christian brothers and sisters. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by CEO Floyd Brobbel to discuss how the ministry is strengthening and supporting persecuted believers around the world. Floyd also shares why VOMC recently updated its Vision Statement and what this renewed direction means for the future of the ministry. Length: 39:45 Episode Notes To Watch the Interview with Floyd Brobbel https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-vomc-2026-09-03.htm VOMC’s Vision Statement: “One church, united in suffering; one voice, strengthened in fellowship; one hope, rooted in Christ.” To subscribe to VOMC’s free monthly magazine or receive our weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert emails, visit www.vomcanada.com/subscribe.

  5. Aug 7

    Nigeria: At Least 25 Killed in Latest Militant Attacks

    At least 25 Christians were killed during recent attacks on two villages in Plateau State, Nigeria. Among the victims were nine members of the same Christian family, including a two-month-old infant. Reports indicate that the family may have been specifically targeted by Islamic militants due to their connection with Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo, a Christian leader who has publicly condemned the ongoing violence against followers of Jesus in Nigeria. On this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Mark Lipdo, who serves as the founder and CEO of Stefanos Foundation in Jos, Plateau State. For more than 20 years, the ministry has faithfully served hundreds of thousands of Nigerians affected by violence, providing practical support to Christians facing persecution, displacement and devastating loss. During the interview, Mark shares insights into the challenges confronting vulnerable Christian communities and explains how believers continue to find strength and hope amid ongoing attacks. Length: 43 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Mark Lipdo www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2026-08-06.htm To learn more about Stefanos Foundation, visit: www.stefanosng.org www.facebook.com/Stefanosfoundation Read a recently published security report from Stefanos Foundation: https://therisinghope.substack.com/ Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com Be inspired by Pastor Gideon Dewal’s story of forgiveness: https://www.vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-gideon-tragedy-forgiveness.htm

  6. Aug 1

    Pakistan: Multiple Cases Involving False Blasphemy Allegations against Christians

    In Pakistan, the punishment for a blasphemy conviction is the death penalty. While no one has yet been executed under these laws, many allegations frequently result in lengthy legal battles, prolonged imprisonment, and significant other hardships for the accused and their families. False allegations have led to riots and Christians being killed. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Salim Arthur, who knows firsthand what can happen when false blasphemy allegations are made. Rev. Arthur was arrested, imprisoned, tortured and nearly lost his life, and his family had to go into hiding in Pakistan after a Muslim teenage girl came to Christ. He is the founder and president of ASRA International Ministries, which serves persecuted Christians, refugees, and vulnerable communities. Rev. Salim is also a pastor of the South Asian Bible Church in Brampton, Ontario and the author of the book “Saved to Serve” Length: 58 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Salim Arthur https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-2026-07-31.htm South Asian Bible Church and Asylum Seekers Resettlement Advocacy https://www.asraministries.com To Order Saved to Serve by Salim Arthur Saved to Serve: A Memoir: Salim Arthur: 9798385059201 - Christianbook.com The Voice of the Martyrs Canada www.vomcanada.com Jaranwala Persecution https://www.vomcanada.com/video/pk-2025-03-21.htm

  7. Jul 9

    India: Why Is Christian Persecution Increasing?

    Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Throughout this time, churches were demolished, worship gatherings violently disrupted, crosses in graveyards vandalized, and Bibles confiscated and burned. Pastors have been falsely accused of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, resulting in the physical assaults and imprisonment of these Christian leaders. In 2015, there were 177 reported incidents of persecution. By 2024, that number had surged to 834, with many more cases likely going undocumented. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, human rights advocate Tehmina Arora, the founding trustee of Alliance Defending Freedom India, joins host Greg Musselman to discuss this alarming trend. They explore how anti-conversion laws are being misused to target followers of Jesus, the broader implications for religious freedom, and the heartbreaking issue of forced marriages in both India and Pakistan. Length: 36 Minutes To view the interview https://vomcanada.com/in-videos/video/in-2025-09-11.htm Episode Notes Alliance Defending Freedom International www.adfinternational.org/ Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com Persecution and Prayer Alert https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe#q40771

  8. Jun 26

    DR of the Congo: Christians Targeted by Islamic Terrorists

    Islamic militants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo claim to have killed more than 80 Christians during several recent armed assaults in the northeastern region of the country. The deadliest incident is believed to have claimed the lives of an estimated 60 believers, whom the attackers referred to as "Christian combatants." The Islamic State Central Africa Province claims to have killed nearly 1,000 Christians in northeastern DRC since December 2024. Dr. David Kasali serves as the founder of the Congo Initiative, a Christ-centred educational institution that seeks to bring spiritual transformation to the country. He joins Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman to discuss the recent violent attacks on followers of Jesus in the DRC, the many other challenges facing the nation’s believers in the northeast of the country. Length 43 minutes Episode Notes To view the interview with Dr. David Kasali https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-cd-2026-06-25.htm Congo Initiative: https://congoinitiative.org Pray for the Democratic Republic of the Congo: https://www.vomcanada.com/drc.htm The Voice of the Martyrs Canada www.vomcanada.com

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About

The “Closer to the Fire” podcast addresses the persecution of Christians in various restricted nations around the world. By presenting informative interviews with Christian leaders on the front lines, this regular podcast serves to raise awareness, support and prayer on behalf of those who are suffering for their faith in Jesus. “Closer to the Fire” is produced by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, a non-profit organization that has served persecuted Christians for more than 50 years. To learn more about the ministry of VOM Canada, go to www.vomcanada.com Hosted by longtime television broadcaster Greg Musselman, who also represents VOM Canada as the organization’s Minister-at-Large, this podcast will keep you up to date on the latest global situations involving today’s persecuted church. Greg joined VOM Canada in 2003 and, over the years, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians during his extensive international travels.

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