South Asia - Children are Included in the Great Commission
“For us, it’s not AWANA, it’s ‘Can we disciple one more child?’” In most AWANA groups in South Asia, 20 to 25% of the children come from non-Christian homes, including Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. Some parents restrict their children from coming after they learn that Bible stories are being shared, while others accept the care and blessing their child receives even though it is coming from Christians. Gajendra will help us understand and pray for the training process to equip more leaders and ultimately to tell more children about Jesus.
Cuba - Pastors Willing to Pay a Price
The Cuban government attempts to restrain the gospel in many ways. Yet despite persecution, the church in Cuba is growing—stretching beyond buildings and homes and gathering on the streets and in open fields to pray and worship and share the gospel. Listen as Pastor Mateo shares the many restrictions Cuba’s communist leaders enforce on pastors, church buildings, ministry efforts and families.
Hostage's Wife - Look for the Promises of God and Pray
The last two weeks we’ve shared the story of Jeffery Woodke, American gospel worker in West Africa captured by Islamists and held hostage for more than six years. Now, Jeff’s wife, Els, shares her side of the story of waiting and wondering and praying through that long ordeal—and how God helped her never to hate Jeff’s captors. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews Els on this episode of VOM Radio.
Missionary Hostage - Prayer Works; I'm Proof
“Hope is the first thing to go” Jeffery Woodke says, speaking about his six-and-a-half years as a hostage held by radical Islamist terror groups. Suicidal, he beseeched his persecutors numerous times to take his life, knowing heaven would be much better than his existence as a hostage chained to a tree. Despite his doubts, God was always with Jeff. He found he couldn’t abandon prayer altogether. Listen as Jeff shares more about his captivity and his later release with Todd Nettleton on this episode of VOM Radio.
Kidnapped Gospel Worker - Forgiveness is the Best Weapon We Have
“It’s better to be dead than taken hostage.” When Jeff Woodke said those words, he didn’t know that he would be taken hostage from his home in Niger in 2016. But Woodke, a long-term relief and gospel worker in West Africa, did know there were risks. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews Jeff on this episode of VOM Radio.
South Asia - It's Not an Easy Calling
Listen as David shares difficulties from those early years of ministry and how we can encourage and pray for missionaries to push forward through their early challenges to reach maximum fruitfulness. Today David’s challenges are different; one is the great need to develop more Muslim background believers (MBBs) to be leaders in the Urdu church. Hear now on this episode of VOM Radio.
Trauma Care - There's a Place for Mourning
Last week, Brother Philip, a field minister for The Voice of the Martyrs in West Africa, shared how witnessing stories of trauma from persecuted Christians and addressing their spiritual needs is a gift. This week, you’ll hear how Christians may exhibit more resilience than non-believers, stories of persecuted Christians and how The Voice of the Martyrs empowers pastors in Africa to help persecuted Christians find healing after trauma. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews Philip on this episode of VOM Radio.
Persecuted Christians - Witnessing Their Pain, Caring for Their Trauma
Philip, who helps The Voice of the Martyrs provide trauma care for persecuted Christians in Africa, shares how trauma rewires the brains of victims. As a trained trauma-care provider and brother in Christ, Philip believes it’s a gift to listen to the stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters and bear witness to the pain they’ve experienced. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews Philip on this episode of VOM Radio.
Nigeria - Bearing the Scar of Persecution
Paul Dangtoumda, a part of the global eldership counsel for Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and the leader for YWAM’s work in Nigeria, comes from a family with a history of Christian persecution. In fact, he bears the scar of persecution his parents faced even before he was born. Listen as he shares the amazing testimony of God’s protection over him and his parents—and how their example inspires his ministry even today.
Asia Pacific - The Value of Knowing Christ
Carter asked one Chinese brother how he was preparing to faithfully stand strong under Christian persecution. The answer he received was challenging: “When I was little, my mother taught me three preparations,” our Chinese brother responded. “Always be ready to preach. Always be ready to pray. Always be ready for martyrdom.” Listen this week as Carter shares what the church is experiencing in Brunei, China, Laos, and Myanmar on this episode of VOM Radio with Todd Nettleton.