Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman

Greg Musselman
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Updated 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. May 29

    Pakistan: Protecting Christian Girls and Young Women

    The governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province recently signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect, raising the minimum age for marriage to 18 and strengthening protections for vulnerable youth. It is hoped that this legislation will help prevent the kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls across the country. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Shulammite Nasir, a Pakistani Christian now living in Canada, to discuss the potential impact of this new law on the nation’s Christian minority. Drawing from her own experiences, Shulammite shares insight into the many challenges faced by girls and young women in Pakistan. She also speaks about her passion to encourage believers in her homeland and share the Gospel with those seeking truth. Shulammite moved to Canada in 2018 with her parents, three sisters and brother. During her conversation with Greg, she reflects on why her family left Pakistan and how God redirected her life from a career in business to a calling in ministry. Length: Episode Notes To watch Greg’s full interview with Shulammite Nasir, go to: https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-2026-05-28.htm Church of Pentecost Pakistan: www.churchofpentecostpakistan.com Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

    36 min

  2. May 15

    Serving the Persecuted Church: VOMC’s Global Projects of Hope

    In a recent episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, we invited listeners and viewers to take a practical step toward “Actively Remembering the ‘Church Persecuted’” by signing a petition to the Russian Embassy. The petition called for the safe release of Ms. Park Tae-yeon, a 70-year-old South Korean missionary currently being held in a Russian detention centre. To view this episode, visit: https://www.vomcanada.com/video/ru-2026-04-20.htm. In this episode, we turn our attention to the second part of VOMC’s mission statement – “Serving the ‘Church Persecuted’” – and explore how this calling is being fulfilled through ministry projects around the world. Duane Friesen, VOMC’s Vice President of International Ministry, shares insights into the many ways persecuted believers are supported globally, and how these initiatives bring Christ-centred care to those who need it most. Length:40 minutes Episode Notes To watch the full interview with Duane, go to: https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-vomc-2026-05-07.htm To find out more about how you can support VOMC’s global ministry projects, visit: www.vomcanada.com/donate Subscribe to receive VOMC’s Persecution & Prayer Alert emails: https://store.vomcanada.org/register/2026-06-21 VOMC’s international projects can be summarized through the acronym “VOICE”: · Vindicate · Outreach · Invest · Connect · Empower

    40 min

  3. May 1

    Nigeria: A Campaign of Terror Against Christians

    Abuses to Nigeria’s human rights charter for ‘freedom of religion or belief’ are still prevalent today. This is particularly alarming for Christians located in the country’s northern states and Middle Belt region who are at serious risk of threats, violent attacks, abductions, as well as assaults on their members of clergy and places of worship. Governance concerns at the state level, such as delayed security responses and the consequential culture of impunity that’s breeding among various armed militant groups (including insurgents and bandits), are compounding this dire situation and further undermining the religious freedoms of targeted Nigerians. While the situation encompasses a wide range of complexities, which is impacting both Nigerian Christians and Muslims in certain areas of the country, it has been proven that the majority of the perpetrators’ attacks are primarily based on the religious affiliations of their targeted victims. Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria and credible partner of Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOM Canada), recently spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa* about the intense violence and persecution presently facing followers of Jesus in Nigeria. As Rev. Yunusa sheds light on what is truly happening, he also brings clarity to the misinformation that has been circulating over the years concerning this troubled West African nation. *The special presentation in Ottawa was presented by VOM Canada, Open Doors Canada and Cardus. Date: April 2026 Length: 47 minutes Episode Notes To watch the interview with Rev. Yunusa Nmadu https://www.vomcanada.com/ng-videos/video/ng-2026-04-29.htm Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria cswng.org.ng The Voice of the Martyrs Canada VOMCanada.com Open Doors Canada OpenDoorsCanada.org Cardus cardus.ca

    54 min

  4. Apr 20

    Russia: Advocating for Detained Korean Missionary

    At VOMC, we are committed to remembering and serving the “church persecuted.” One of the key ways we live out this calling is by praying for and advocating on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are imprisoned because of their faith and ministry. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman highlights a meaningful opportunity for you to partner with us in this vital mission by signing a petition on behalf of Ms. Park Tae-yeon, a longtime Korean missionary. After decades of faithful service in Russia, the 70-year-old Christian woman was detained in January while attempting to return home to South Korea. She is currently being held in a Russian detention facility, facing alleged immigration charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 17 years. Greg is joined by Dr. Eric Foley, CEO and Co-Founder of VOM Korea, to discuss Ms. Park’s case and the importance of advocacy for Christians who have been falsely arrested for their faith. Length:52 minutes To watch the interview with Dr. Eric Foley: https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ru-2026-04-20.htm Sign the petition on behalf of Ms. Park Tae-yeon: https://vomkorea.com/en/petition-2026/ Voice of the Martyrs Korea: https://vomkorea.com Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

    52 min

  5. Apr 3

    Eritrea: Over 100 Christians Released from Prison

    More than one hundred Christians were among groups of prisoners released from Eritrean detention centres in late 2025 and early 2026. Many of these believers had endured years of captivity in some of the country’s most notorious facilities – places long recognized for inhumane treatment and severely cramped living conditions. Notably, none of the recently released individuals had ever been formally charged with a crime. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Berhane Asmelash of Release Eritrea, a ministry devoted to supporting and advocating for persecuted Christians in the country. Dr. Asmelash shares important updates on the recently freed believers and discusses the factors that may have contributed to their unexpected release. He also offers insight into the ongoing challenges facing the wider Christian community in Eritrea, including the plight of several senior church leaders who have remained imprisoned for over 20 years because of their faith. Length: 51 minutes Episode Notes Release Eritrea: https://www.release-eritrea.org View VOMC’s country profile on Eritrea: https://www.vomcanada.com/eritrea.htm Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

    51 min

  6. Mar 20

    Iran: A Growing Church in a Time of Turmoil

    Christians in Iran are facing escalating danger and uncertainty following recent Israeli-American military strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the current conflict has intensified instability, persecution against followers of Jesus in Iran is far from new. For the past 47 years – since the rise of the radical Islamic regime – Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds, have endured systemic repression. In this episode, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Ed Saleh, Executive Director of ICNET TV, a ministry reaching millions of Iranians with the Gospel message. Originally from Iran and now living in Canada, Ed shares insights from believers on the ground, offering a rare look at how Christians are responding to the crisis, why the church continues to grow despite severe persecution, and how we can stand in prayer with our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ. Length: 46:30 Episode Notes To view the interview with Ed Saleh https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-2026-03-18.htm ICNET TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ICnetTV ICNET Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/icnet.tv/ Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com To access VOMC’s previously published reports on Iran, visit: https://www.vomcanada.com/iran.htm

    47 min

  7. Mar 6

    South Sudan: Bringing Encouragement, Teaching and Trauma Counselling to Christians

    On July 9th, 2011, South Sudan officially became an independent nation, making it the world’s youngest country. The nation experienced two years of relative peace and growing prosperity before civil war erupted in 2013, triggering a massive humanitarian crisis. Today, 13 years later, South Sudan continues to struggle under the weight of ethnic tensions, political instability, unfulfilled promises, and the ongoing effects of conflict – leaving many to describe it as a fallen state. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, Greg Musselman speaks with Stephen Wesley, VOMC’s Director of Global Education and Discipleship. Stephen recently travelled to South Sudan with two VOMC ministry partners to encourage local believers, teach on the theology of persecution and discipleship, and provide trauma counselling to Christians who have endured profound suffering. Length: 52 minutes Episode Notes Subscribe to VOMC’s weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert emails: https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe#q40771 Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

    53 min

  8. Feb 20

    India: The Enduring Faith of Persecuted Christians

    A deeply troubling trend is unfolding in the world’s most populous nation. Over the past decade, Christians in India – particularly in the northern regions – have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been attacked, burned or forcibly closed. In addition, believers were beaten, pastors have encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests under the country’s anti-conversion laws, the burning of Bibles had repeatedly taken place, and reports have emerged of forced reconversions to Hinduism. Closer to the Fire host, Greg Musselman, recently travelled to the state of Odisha to hear firsthand the stories of Christians who have experienced opposition for their faith and ministry work. Through these conversations, Greg explored the cost of following Christ in a climate of growing hostility – and the remarkable courage of believers who remain determined to spread the hope of the Gospel. During his travels, Greg also partnered with Step International Canada to teach a course on the theology of persecution, equipping Indian pastors and ministry ‘leaders in training’ to prepare faithfully for the challenges ahead. Abhijit Naya, the Executive Director of Step International will join Greg after the report from Odisha. Length: 33 minutes Report Notes To view the report from India www.vomcanada.com/video/in-2026-02-11.htm Step International Canada: www.stepinternational.ca View VOMC’s country profile on India: www.vomcanada.com/india.htm The Voice of the Martyrs Canada www.vomcanada.com

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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4 Ratings

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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