LATIN AMERICA: Obedience Comes With a Price
IRAN: Faith in Christ Spreading Through Acts of Mercy
Protests have been going on for weeks across the nation of Iran. The Islamic government has cut off communication networks and attacked protestors; thousands have been killed. Dr. Mike Ansari, a board member of the World Iranian Christian Alliance and the outgoing CEO of Heart4Iran, joins VOM Radio this week with an update on the current situation in Iran and how persecuted Christians are still demonstrating Christ's light and loving their neighbors even as the entire country is in turmoil.
"All Missions Begins With Prayer"
ohn Burrough, CEO of Partners International, is a former mission trip leader and played in the NFL—including playing in a Super Bowl. Listen as he shares how taking a mission trip completely changed his outlook and how that experience could impact and change your perspective in every area of life. Partners International began in the early 1940s with a missionary to China, Duncan Roberts, and from there continued to support and grow local leaders advancing the gospel in China. Later, the ministry's work expanded into Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The focus today is on reaching the unreached parts of the world for Christ.
IMPRISONED IN SUDAN: "It's a Privilege to Be Persecuted."
In Part 2 of our interview with Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Taour, he shares how his heart remained upbeat, even as the judge pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to 12 years in prison. He'll talk about how reading the Bible is different inside prison than when you're free. Hassan says he experienced persecution as a blessing from God—a blessing that brought him tears of joy. "It is really a privilege to be persecuted," he says.
IMPRISONED IN SUDAN: One of the Best Times
Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Taour helped train Sudanese pastors to be ready for persecution. He didn't know that he was also preparing himself for the day he'd be arrested in Sudan, charged with aiding espionage alongside VOM's Africa Regional Director, Petr Jasek, and sentenced to 12 years in prison. There were difficult days in prison, yet Pastor Hassan experienced the joy of the Lord—joy so powerful it brought tears to his eyes. It is because of that joy, and because of the ministry God gave him in prison, that Pastor Hassan looks back on those long months as "one of the best times of my life."
NEW YEAR 2026: Encouraging Gatherings, Government Transitions and Praying for Persecuted Christians
Aaron Miller, Vice President of International Ministry at The Voice of the Martyrs, looks back to recount changes and transitions he saw during 2025 in places like Syria, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia. He also shares stories of sitting down with fellow believers in hostile areas and restricted nations and how VOM's work expanded in countries such as Benin, Indonesia, Morocco, and western Nepal. "In times of transition," Aaron says, "our staff sees opportunities." VOM's field staff is excited by the chance to reach new places, which allows them to learn the needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters, pray for them specifically and find the best ways VOM can serve.
MOVING MOMENTS OF 2025 - PART 2
Last week, we began a look back on some of the most moving moments on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2025. This week, we continue to remember: - Brother Nathan, gospel worker with YWAM in the Middle East - Miguel Angel Angeles, Executive Director of Bethel Radio & TV in Peru - Michael & Mona, Christian leaders from Egypt working across North Africa - Brother Kevin serves as a gospel worker and church planter in Asia - Hana Menghisteab, the daughter of imprisoned Eritrean pastor, Dr. Tecleab Menghisteab, who has been in prison for over twenty years. - Dr. Yousaf Sadiq grew up in Pakistan and is now a professor at Wheaton College and co-leader of the Lausanne Persecuted Church Initiative. - Brother Samuel grew up Muslim and now faces persecution in Malaysia for his faith in Christ. - Susanna Koh, Pastor Raymond Koh's wife, continues to go to court for his release - Sister Neda, serves persecuted Christians in Iran through Iran Alive Ministries We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank you for listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world during 2025! We'd love to hear from you! Let us know what conversation in 2025 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also give online to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. Join us in 2026 for another year of testimonies about what God is doing in and through our persecuted brothers and sisters and hear how you can pray specifically for them throughout the year!
MOVING MOMENTS OF 2025 - PART 1
This week, we begin looking back on some of the most moving moments shared on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2025: - Hope & Nagy, gospel workers to Libya and the Middle East - Jerry Mattix, long-time aid ministry worker and pastor in Türkiye - Nathan & Kari, gospel workers in South Asia with the International Mission Board (IMB) - John Samara, Founder and Executive Director of Ananias House - Eric Mock, the Senior Vice President of the Slavic Gospel Association - Dr. Michael Reeves, President of Union School of Theology in the United Kingdom - Ty Scott, VOM's Regional Leader for East and Southern Africa - John Weaver, long-time gospel worker in Afghanistan - Abraham & Sara serve refugees at a church in a Middle Eastern country We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank you for faithfully listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world! We'd love to hear from you! Let us know what conversation in 2025 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also give online to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs.
CENTRAL ASIA: Passionate Persecuted Christians Counting the Cost
This week, Marcus Fernandez, VOM's Regional Leader for Central Asia, joins VOM Radio for the first time. He'll share about the fast-growing church in Iran, the North Caucasus—an area never before discussed on VOM Radio—and how persecution is escalating in Pakistan. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews Marcus on this episode of VOM Radio.
PETR JASEK: On 10th Anniversary of Imprisonment, "He Just Loves Jesus More"
Ten years ago this month, Petr Jasek traveled to Sudan on behalf of The Voice of the Martyrs to meet with and encourage Sudanese Christians. At the airport on his way out of the country, Petr was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison. His first prison cellmates were ISIS fighters—men who hated Christians and quickly began to persecute Petr. He spent 445 days in Sudanese custody. Listen this week as Petr shares about his first night in a jail cell, how God uniquely prepared him with a dream and how he discovered that his cellmates were radical Muslim ISIS fighters. This interview was recorded during the VOM National Conference in Bartlesville, OK, where Petr shared how his time in prison and the lessons he learned there still impact him ten years later. To view a video version of Petr's interview, go to The Voice of the Martyr's YouTube channel.
MISSIONS: Emerging Technology Key to Spreading Gospel
There are more cell phones in the world than cars, toilets, or people. What if each of those phones could be turned into a Bible? Using their backgrounds in electrical engineering and software development, David and Josiah Palusky have developed technology tools to help Christian workers spread the gospel in places where people are unreached and there is often Christian persecution. They will share stories of camels preaching the gospel using LightStream devices, leading an entire family to meet Christ, how AI disguised a Christian brother's voice, and how Christians in restricted nations and hostile areas can revolutionize communities for Jesus. Listen as Todd Nettleton interviews David & Josiah from Renew Outreach on this episode of VOM Radio.