Churches in Algeria have been closed by the government. Pastors have been threatened. But the ministry continues. Pastor Abraham and Sara are back this week to continue our conversation about God’s work in the Middle East and North Africa—and the Christian persecution that Christ’s followers face. Hear the story of one pastor who has repeatedly changed his phone number because of constant threats. Yet he remains in his country and continues to share the gospel with Muslims. They will also offer an update on the situation for Christians in Syria as we near the one-year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime. Abraham and Sara will also share how Christians fleeing violence and danger in the region are going as missionaries to their new homelands—sometimes reaching their countrymen even in far-off lands!

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and their countries amidst war and upheaval in the Middle East. Pastor Abraham and Sara are living as representatives of God’s love to displaced people in the Middle East. The ministry can be messy and difficult, yet they persist in demonstrating love in practical ways. And they are seeing great fruit for their ministry. Abraham and Sara will share how one woman—the widow of an imam—had heard all kinds of negative things about Christians. But when she came to the church, she found something very different: people who loved her and helped her. Listen to hear the story of how God answered the woman’s prayer within 24 hours, and how a dream led her to commit her life to Jesus. Leaving Islam behind to follow Jesus comes with a cost, though. Abraham and Sara will also share what Christian persecution looks like in the region, including pressure from families or tribes as well as Islamists or government authorities. “We are planting seeds,” Sara says, “we are the tools for His Kingdom.”

In Malaysia, every citizen carries an ID card that includes religion; every person is classified as either ‘Muslim’ or ‘Non-Muslim’. The Malaysian constitution promises religious freedom and the right to choose one’s religion. So, what happens if a citizen changes their faith? Brother ‘Samuel’ was born into a Muslim family, but he chose to leave Islam behind to follow Christ. At first, he kept his newfound faith quiet, knowing that being publicly identified as a follower of Jesus could bring all kinds of trouble. But as he grew in faith, he felt convicted about his silence. Jesus had died for him. How could he be unwilling even to acknowledge Christ? Learning of his conversion, Samuel’s family encouraged him to dive more deeply into Islamic training and activities. Wanting to honour his father and his family, Samuel agreed to attend Islamic classes. But instead of bringing him back to Mohammed, the training forced him to become more rooted in Biblical truth and more capable of explaining and defending Christian doctrines. In 2018, Samuel began the process of applying for a new national ID card, changing his religion from “Muslim” to “non-Muslim”. Seven years later, his court case is still dragging on.

Listen to part two of Noah and Patrick’s conversation as they highlight what life is like in a Muslim dominated country of Southeast Asia [name of country withheld for security]. Being a Christian convert from Islam presents life-altering legal challenges to individuals who wish to marry the person of their choice! Hear about VOM Australia’s work in this country to send the small yet faithful church. Listen also about the nation of Brunei, where Muslim background believers are offered bribes from the government to return to Islam.

This week on VOMAus Radio, hear from our partners in Nigeria, Kent and Ruth of Christian Faith Ministries (CFM). As they choose to love their enemies, God continues to work powerfully through CFM. CFM is a valued long-term ministry partner of VOM Australia, equipping the church for evangelism in dangerous regions and caring for those affected by religious violence. Interview courtesy of our friends at Vision Christian Radio.

Australians are keen travellers to many Southeast Asian countries, but day-to-day life for small populations of local Christians can be a struggle. This week on VOMAus Radio, Patrick and Noah discuss Christian life in a Muslim-dominant Asian nation [name of country withheld for security], including a special education outreach project for children without identification documents, and much sought-after leadership training for local pastors.

This week on VOMAus Radio, Noah and Patrick discuss the persecution of Christians in the extensive and hugely populous nation of India. While India’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, in reality, anti-conversion laws are commonly used against pastors and evangelists, and attacks on pastors have become more common. In the north of the country, where it’s a Hindu stronghold, anti-Christian sentiment is strong. In the south, persecution is most likely to occur in rural areas. Hear about how VOM Australia is at work in supporting pastors, providing training, Bible distribution and a safehouse for new converts who have been abandoned by family. Through this work, Christians are reminded that they are not alone.

This week on VOMAus Radio, Dr Yousaf Sadiq returns to continue his conversation with Todd Nettleton. After dozens of churches and Christians’ homes in Jaranwala, Pakistan, were attacked, looted and burned by a mob, Christians gathered in and around the ruins of their former church buildings to sing and worship the Lord. The words they sang were directly from Scripture: Psalms of lament; reminders that even in times of suffering, we can come to the Lord and trust in His sovereignty. “I want the world to know this fascinating story and what it means for the church in Pakistan.” Yousaf says, “It’s such a precious heritage.” Dr Yousaf will also share about his work to support and include the ministry of persecuted Christians in the work of the Lausanne Movement.

This week on VOM Aus Radio, here from Dr Yousaf Sadiq. He was born into a Christian family in Pakistan. His mother worked as a cleaner at a local school so that Yousaf and some of his ten siblings would have an opportunity to be educated. In the evenings, he would help his mother clean the school where he was a student during the day. Despite their deep poverty, Yousaf gratefully recounts how his family’s needs were always met. Today Yousaf is a professor at Wheaton College and co-leader of the Lausanne Persecuted Church Initiative. He remembers how his parents invested time and energy in training their children to walk with the Lord, and how they led by example. Yousaf also shares what it looks like to live in Pakistan as a Christian. There are many pressures within the society, but Yousaf understood at a young age that Christian persecution is part of following Christ. “I felt not only strengthened but also privileged that this was happening,” he says.

This week on VOMAus Radio, we hear from Brother ‘Enfu’, the pastor of an illegal house church in China. Listen as he shares why and how he prepares his wife and children for the day he may eventually be arrested and sent to prison. He will give an update on Christian persecution in China and how believers there are responding faithfully despite increasing government pressure. Instead of large church events, the gospel is spreading through one-on-one conversations with co-workers or neighbours as Christians share what Jesus has done in their lives. Brother Enfu encourages pastors and church leaders he trains to stay in China and serve Christians there, rather than leaving China for a more comfortable position in the West. He says that when he hears of a brother or sister imprisoned for their faith, it’s an encouragement to him, even as he acknowledges the suffering they are enduring.

Bayram is back to finish the conversation from last week. Hear stories of people in Türkiye leaving Islam and embracing Jesus Christ – and the persecution they’ve endured for making that decision. Bayram will tell the story of a young atheist who, after talking with Bayram for an entire evening, saw Jesus in two dreams. This young man embraced the gospel and became a follower of Jesus. It was a costly decision: as soon as he became a Christian, everyone around him became an enemy. Bayram also equips us to pray for Türkiye and for our Christian brothers and sisters there.

This week on VOMAus Radio, hear from Brother Bayram, who came to the US from Türkiye to further his education. He started a business, where one day a Christian customer gave him a New Testament. He began to read it, the beginning of a path that would lead him to faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and the Son of God. It was a costly decision: his devout Muslim wife divorced him and wouldn’t allow him to see their daughter. His brother had Bayram committed to a mental hospital, thinking anyone who would leave Islam was mentally unstable. It has been a difficult road, but Bayram’s faith has only grown stronger as he has seen God work in his life and his country. Bayram will encourage and instruct listeners on how we can help lead Muslims toward Christ, wherever they are. You can connect online with Brother Bayram and his ministry at www.albtci.org.

This week on VOMAus Radio, Patrick and Noah continue the conversation on what it’s like to worship and gather as Christians in Vietnam – sometimes the consequences are severe. Yet the church is making a bold stand for Christ. In the coming weeks, we will hear more from Patrick as he explains further about the persecuted church in Southeast Asia and how VOM Australia is coming alongside our persecuted brothers and sisters to equip and aid them when opposition comes.

This week on VOMAus Radio, we hear once again from Patrick, who oversees VOM Australia’s field work in Southeast Asia, sharing about Vietnam. This country has a long and complex history, and it remains one of the few communist countries in the world. Life here can be difficult for Christians. Yet, praise God, the church continues to grow. Patrick outlines the various forms of persecution in Vietnam, including the consequences faced by a couple who gave their daughter a biblical name.

This week on VOMAus Radio, listen as Bob Fu, former prisoner for Christ in China and the founder and president of China Aid Association, shares updates from persecuted Christians in China, including Pastor John Cao, Pastor Wang Yi, and other Chinese Christians. The Chinese Communist Party continues to pursue absolute government control of churches and other religious institutions in China. Pastors and church leaders face lengthy prison sentences for 'fraud' when their church collects tithes and offerings, or 'illegal border crossing' if they travel to meet with fellow believers outside China. Bob Fu, author of God's Double Agent https://vom.com.au/product/gods-double-agent/ , reports on recent church raids in China, including arrests of children attending Vacation Bible School. The Communist Party forbids any religious outreach or training for children under age 18.

This week on VOMAus Radio, Hana Menghisteab returns to share how speaking publicly about her father and her family’s suffering was painful, but how God used it to open a door for healing in her life. Before his arrest in 2004, Dr Tecleab Menghisteab was a medical doctor and a leader in the Eritrean Orthodox Church. He is one of more than 300 Christians currently in prison in Eritrea. Hana was six years old when her father was arrested. Hana will tell how growing up without her father left her wounded in many areas of her life. However, Hana says, “God does not waste pain; He doesn’t waste the years of tears.” Instead, the Lord uses suffering to display His glory. Listen to Hana’s previous interviews with VOMAus Radio: https://soundcloud.com/vom-oz/sets/interviews-with-hana?si=67b6d15a70f44c14bdd08507fdba3bc6

This week on VOMAus Radio, hear part two from Patrick as he shares remarkable stories from the field, of persecution, forgiveness and overcoming, with God’s help and strength. You will be amazed and strengthened by the testimonies of Rachana, whose husband tried to kill her after she became a Christian, and Nanda, once a devout Buddhist priest who lost his prominence and reputation for Jesus. Be encouraged as you hear how God is at work in this ‘Hostile’ nation. We hope it spurs you on to pray for believers in this nation and pray for VOM Australia too, as we seek to minister for those who suffer for His name.

This week on VOMAus Radio, hear from VOM Australia staff member Patrick as he provides us with insights on his recent trip to Nepal. Though officially a secular republic, Nepal remains a predominantly Hindu nation, and the government is taking a strong stand against religious conversion. This nation is classified as ‘Hostile’ towards the gospel, but there is a small, vibrant and bold church in Nepal faithfully following Christ, sometimes at great cost. Listen to understand what persecution is like in the diverse and complex nation of Nepal. And hear how our Bibles Plus project is blessing believers.

This week on VOMAus Radio, we hear from Kevin, a gospel worker and church planter in Asia. Kevin shares how the Lord called him to serve unreached people groups in Asia, and explains what a new believer is likely to face when they come to Christ in a Buddhist and animistic culture, where persecution usually begins at the family or village level. Because of fear-based animistic practices and the communal culture, the entire community feels like they are at risk when a member of their community becomes a Christian. Kevin has walked with friends who’ve been put in prison or forced out of their villages. Some are living in tents because they refused to recant their commitment to Christ. Yet they meet these hardships with joy, responding in faith and perseverance to their persecution. Learn more about the church in Asia and how to pray for Christians there and around the world who face persecution for the name of Christ.

This week on VOMAus Radio, we hear part two of the interview with Carter Gates, leader of VOM USA’s work in the Asia/Pacific Region. Some Christians in Malaysia—ethnically Chinese or Indian believers—have freedom to practise their faith. But if an ethnic Malay person becomes a believer in Jesus, he or she will face intense Christian persecution. As Carter meets with VOM’s ministry partners, one shared key hindrances that keep Malays from following Christ and the questions he uses as he engages them in gospel conversation. One of those questions: are you ready to die for Jesus? We’ll also share an update on the court case over the forced disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh in 2017. A verdict is expected in the case in November.