Sean Paton enrolled in university to study pastoral ministry. But on the first day of his first class, the professor challenged students to think more broadly, to consider if God was calling them to take His love to people who hadn’t yet heard the name of Christ. Sean left class that day and changed his major to missions—and ever since he’s seen and lived a direct link between pastoral and missionary work. In recent years Sean has led VOM’s work serving Christians on the continent of Africa. Now he’s transitioning back into a pastoral role with an American congregation. Listen as he shares some of the stories he’ll take with him—like the story of meeting the wife and children of a long-imprisoned Eritrean pastor and being inspired by their faithfulness. Sean will tell how persecuted Christians like these impacted his own faith and understanding of the gospel. He will also encourage listeners to pray—with specific ideas on how to pray for VOM’s international staff that travel extensively and deal often with suffering and pain. Sean encourages pastors to incorporate our persecuted brothers and sister’s stories within their church services, such as during communion or prayer time, as weekly reminders that we are one body in Christ. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the Podcast.
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Two Christian families were recently kicked out of their village due to their faith in Jesus Christ. Twice, the families were brought before the village council where, in the presence of police officers, government authorities and radical Hindu leaders, they were pushed to reconvert to Hinduism.
Read MorePastors Ishaku Manawa, Emmanuel Mamuda, Emmanuel Maigari and Gideon Mutum work to advance God’s kingdom in Borno and Kaduna states, Nigeria, bearing a bold witness for Christ despite intense persecution. Pastors Manawa and Mamuda have endured multiple encounters with Boko Haram, some of which have resulted in relocation because of the attacks.
Read MoreMina was a devoted Muslim, but one night, she had a dream encouraging her to read John chapter 15. Though Mina didn’t understand the dream at the time, she watched a Christian TV broadcast a few days later, and the hosts read passages from the book of John.
Read MoreBorn and raised in Israel, Dr. Erez Soref knew well many of the places mentioned in the Bible and prominent in the story of the life of Christ. But he didn’t know about Jesus! Traveling outside his country, he met a group of Christians. Through their witness and by reading the New Testament for the first time, Soref was convinced in his heart that Jesus Christ was the Messiah for all–Jews and Gentiles. Returning to Israel, he was anxious to tell his family and others about his newfound faith. But when he did, he found that they weren’t nearly as excited about it as he was. Listen as he explains the situation today for Christians in Israel—a democracy where religious freedom is protected by law, but also a place where many don’t want to see the gospel spread. What does it mean to follow Christ? What sacrifices must new believers make? What does persecution look like? Why is it easier to find a Quran printed in Hebrew than a New Testament? And how can Christians in other nations pray for and support Israeli believers? Today, Dr. Soref is the president of One For Israel Bible College, which provides quality Biblical training to pastors and Christians leaders, as well as other Christians who want to deepen their Biblical understanding. He will share specific ways to pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel, including that they will continue to have open doors, legally, to share their faith. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the Podcast.
Read MoreSoulayman is a Fulani painter who came to faith in Christ through the witness of a missionary who had hired Soulayman. When his family discovered his newfound faith, they forced him to marry a Muslim woman to try to reconvert him.
Read MoreAfter a woman named Malaramma led a Hindu priest and his family to faith in Jesus Christ, the former priest urged her to raise funds to build a new worship hall next to his home. When a local Buddhist leader learned of the project, he quickly opposed it.
Read MoreBrother Ahmed was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and became a successful businessman. In 2014, he gave his life to Christ, traveling to Egypt to be baptized. Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, he organized small Bible study groups in his home and led several people to Christ. Eventually, Brother Ahmed was exposed, arrested, and all his possessions were confiscated.
Read MoreFor almost 20 years, Brother David was a gospel worker in Turkey—until he was deported from the country and told he’d been permanently banned from reentry. His legal appeals to stay—to Turkey’s Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights—have, so far, failed. In a holding cell, awaiting his final flight out of the country, David’s biggest disappointment was that he didn’t have cell mates with whom he could share Jesus! David and his family are currently doing gospel work in Muslim neighborhoods and on busy street corners in Germany. God continues to show why He brought David and his family to Europe through each ministry opportunity He sets before them. Living and working in a free country, David is shocked at busy street corners where no believers are taking advantage of their freedoms to witness to the lost. He challenges listeners to be more engaged in reaching the lost—wherever they are. David will give an update on the situation for persecuted Christians in Turkey and help us pray for the many gospel workers who’ve been forced to leave the country, and for Turkish Christians still serving Christ there. David previously shared about his gospel work in Turkey and the court case he’d filed to remain there. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of David’s previous conversations with VOM Radio. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the Podcast
Read MoreEvodia, age 14, and her mother were captured in 2021 when Palma, a town in the Cabo Delgado province, was overrun by ISIS terrorists. Her attackers killed her brother in front of her because of their Christian faith; she was then tortured and forced to become a prostitute.
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