Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman Greg Musselman

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)

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)

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/)