The Front Line Report

Voice of the Martyrs Australia

Voice of the Martyrs (Australia) raises awareness of persecuted Christians, learns from their experiences, and mobilises prayer and funding to support them. This enables them to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own nations.

  1. INDONESIA: "I Almost Was Killed by My Son for Following Christ."

    12 hr ago

    INDONESIA: "I Almost Was Killed by My Son for Following Christ."

    Before becoming a Christian, Pastor Putumandi's life was, in his words, "a mess". He pursued his family's Hindu religion, dancing in temple ceremonies to access and appease the spirits. He detested anything to do with Jesus. "I hated [Christians] before." Putumandi said, "I despised Christianity." But then he met Jesus, drawn by the compassion that he saw lacking in every other religion. For Putumandi, Jesus was the only one who could guarantee eternal life, and he wanted to know Him. After being baptised, his wife could tell that he had changed as Putumandi treated his family and others with compassion, showing the love of Christ. When his family found out Putumandi had left Hinduism, they kicked him out of their home immediately. His 16-year-old son tried to kill Putumandi. Despite being driven from his home and persecuted for his Christian faith, Putumandi says he never considered going back to Hinduism. "Salvation comes from Christianity," Putumandi said. Putumandi will also share how it's been a challenge to find a job to make a living because of the Christian persecution he's faced. "I just do anything I can find," he says, "and praise the Lord; He provides." Pray for Putumandi's health, for his family to come to know the Lord, and for his continued witness to unbelievers around him, especially the people in his own family.

    23 min
  2. WORLD MISSIONS: "It's All Hands on Deck Right Now"

    29 Jun

    WORLD MISSIONS: "It's All Hands on Deck Right Now"

    How do you discern God's calling to be a missionary? John Easter, Executive Director of Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM), says the first question might be: if God did call you to serve overseas, would you say yes? Before accepting his current role, John and his wife served the church in Africa, providing theological training to pastors and leaders. In an effort to develop more leaders for the growing church, they oversaw 380+ schools with 25,000+ students. Serving on missions front lines brought many challenges. They faced an abduction, medical issues, hijacking and other criminal activity while in Africa. Yet the Lord surrounded them with community and resources as they learned how to abide in Christ and rely on the Holy Spirit during every hardship. Today, John is focused on vision casting, fundraising, and care for missionaries and missionary kids as they work to spread the gospel in unreached areas. You'll hear John share why the church in northern India is growing rapidly and what the Lord is instilling in His people in Nigeria—despite intense and violent Christian persecution in both nations.

    24 min
  3. PARENTS OF MISSIONARIES KILLED IN HAITI: "I Want to Point People to Jesus"

    23 Jun

    PARENTS OF MISSIONARIES KILLED IN HAITI: "I Want to Point People to Jesus"

    In part one, David and Alicia Lloyd, founders of Missions in Haiti, told the story of the day in 2024 when gangs attacked their ministry compound. When the attacks ended, David and Alicia's son, Davy, and their daughter-in-law, Natalie, had been murdered, along with their close friend and ministry partner, Judes Montis. Several weeks later, David returned to Haiti, assuring ministry co-workers and fellow believers that, despite the tragedy, they would not abandon Haiti and their brothers and sisters there. They also learned, from students and staff who'd been at the mission compound, about Davy and Natalie's last moments on earth. "Every time the shooting would stop, they could hear Davy quoting scriptures…They said his voice was very strong; it would echo," David says. "It was estimated there were 100 gang guys in our yard that night who heard the gospel." David and Alicia have struggled with losing their oldest child. They've wrestled with the question of ‘Where was the Lord?’ in that dangerous moment? In the two years since that night, the Lord has been faithful to comfort and bless; they know He was with Davy. And even as they grieve, they desire to point others to Christ. Be challenged and encouraged to live your life for the Lord through David & Alicia's book Strong to the End: The Simple Service and Sudden Sacrifice of the Martyrs in Haiti

    30 min
  4. STRONG TO THE END IN HAITI: "I Can't Wait to See Jesus!"

    16 Jun

    STRONG TO THE END IN HAITI: "I Can't Wait to See Jesus!"

    Davy Lloyd was only 23 years old but already had his eyes on eternity. When he and his wife, Natalie, would visit his parents' home at the mission compound where they all served in Haiti, Davy would often come through the door and say, "I can't wait to see Jesus!" Little did he know how soon his desire would be fulfilled. Davy and Natalie were killed, along with Haitian co-worker Judes Montis, during a gang attack at the mission compound in May 2024. David and Alicia Lloyd, Davy's parents and longtime missionaries to Haiti, tell the story of that difficult day and share how God has sustained and comforted them in the two years since. They take comfort knowing Davy wanted to see Jesus more than anything else. The Lloyds share the details of what happened during the attack and how they learned of it from a distance during a trip to the US. They'll talk about serving in Haiti for 20 years, through the ups and downs of stability and security in the country, including the day their young children were kidnapped. You will hear David and Alicia share honestly about their grief and the questions they've asked the Lord; they'll also tell how God comforted and renewed their faith as they walked forward in obedience, even in grief. David and Alicia have written a powerful book, Strong to the End: The Simple Service and Sudden Sacrifice of the Martyrs in Haiti, available on Kindle through our online shop [https://vom.com.au/product/strong-to-the-end-the-simple-service-and-sudden-sacrifice-of-the-martyrs-in-haiti/] that tells the story of Davy and Natalie and their mission work in Haiti.

    27 min
  5. NIGERIA: "Jesus is My Saviour. I Have No Regrets."

    9 Jun

    NIGERIA: "Jesus is My Saviour. I Have No Regrets."

    More than 50 people were killed during an attack on a Christian area in the city of Jos on Palm Sunday in Nigeria. More attacks occurred during Easter weekend. But not every attack on Nigerian Christians makes international news. Listen this week as Matthew Hanson, who leads VOM USA’s work in West and Central Africa, explains how VOM responds to Christian persecution. He'll explain how VOM helps persecuted Christians meet immediate needs like food, clothing, and shelter; then also serves to assist with longer-term needs for emotional and spiritual healing. "We want to see both [physical and spiritual needs being met], because we want to see the church strengthened," Matthew says. Matthew also tells stories from the field, including that of a woman kidnapped and enslaved by Boko Haram, one of six jihadist groups currently attacking Christians in northern Nigeria. She told Matthew, "Each day, Jesus spoke to me and strengthened my faith, and I did not give up."

    29 min
  6. NICARAGUA: A Battle Between the Gospel of Christ and the Powers of Evil

    2 Jun

    NICARAGUA: A Battle Between the Gospel of Christ and the Powers of Evil

    "What is key is that many of these pastors and leaders have understood the true gospel." Despite government threats of exile, prison, or death, Pastor Chico, a front-line worker in Nicaragua, says pastors are still preaching the truth of God's Word, no matter the cost. They know, as the Bible says, that "faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17). The price of their preaching can be high. Listen as Chico shares about a pastor who lost his Nicaraguan citizenship when he left the country to attend a Christian conference, and pastors imprisoned without a trial or any legal process in which to defend themselves. Nicaragua's government is actively working to co-opt and control churches. Christians who won't cooperate are labelled "terrorists". Listen as Chico explains government efforts to influence and control churches, and why every believer in Nicaragua needs a Bible in their hands. To read more about Nicaragua and other restricted and hostile nations, see our Global Prayer Guide here: https://vom.com.au/news/weekly-prayer-updates/

    23 min
  7. LAOS: How Should We Prepare for Persecution when Jesus Himself Died?

    26 May

    LAOS: How Should We Prepare for Persecution when Jesus Himself Died?

    Christians in Laos know they will face persecution when they follow Jesus. Brother Sionh, founder and president of Khmu Christian Connection, says he doesn't have to make a special effort to prepare Christians for persecution because they already know it will come. He says some Khmu follow Jesus privately and secretly because they fear the loss of opportunity that comes with being known as a Christian. Brother Sionh remembers how his parents and many others came to faith before World War II, when an American missionary walked to their village and told them Jesus has power over evil spirits and that if you believe in Him, He will protect you. Today, Sionh reaches Khmu people all over the world through his work as a Bible teacher for Khmu Gospel Radio Broadcast. The largest populations of Khmu people are in Laos, Vietnam and China. In Laos, Christians are often seen as troublemakers and agents of Western influence. Most Khmu are animists, worshipping spirits of their ancestors or of things in nature. When they are sick or have trouble, they call on witchdoctors and perform ritualistic practices. They constantly live in a spirit of fear, afraid of offending the spirits and bringing trouble.

    25 min
  8. AFGHANISTAN: "Once You Begin to See What God Can Do…"

    18 May

    AFGHANISTAN: "Once You Begin to See What God Can Do…"

    This week, Brother Matthew continues sharing stories of God's calling on his life to Afghanistan and how he came to know the beautiful, amazing people within that broken nation. As he saw God at work in Afghanistan, he says his faith and hope increased. Afghanistan is a nation where many Christians have laid down their lives. With his long experience there, Matthew met, worked with and learned from these martyrs. Listen as he shares memories of several heroes of the faith that he knew as friends and colleagues in the gospel effort. Matthew will also share how he met his wife and talk about raising children in Afghanistan. He says each time they left the country and came back, it was a sobering decision as they continued to trust God with their lives, and for the safety of their children. Matthew will also talk about the church in other Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Iran. Finally, he shares advice and encouragement for Christians who may feel a sense of calling to global missions. He also speaks to churches in free nations: "I don't think the church has a lack of calling. We have a lack of response. We have to respond!"

    25 min
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About

Voice of the Martyrs (Australia) raises awareness of persecuted Christians, learns from their experiences, and mobilises prayer and funding to support them. This enables them to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own nations.

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  • Creator
    Voice of the Martyrs Australia
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    321
  • Rating
    Clean
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    The Front Line Report