Attacks by militant Islamic extremists continue in northern Mozambique. On September 6, 2022, militants attacked two districts in Nampula Provence, beheading six Christians and shooting to death an 83-year-old Italian nun who had served as a missionary in the area since 1963.
Read MoreFront-line workers request prayers for Afghan Christians living in the country and for those who have fled to neighboring countries for protection. “The crisis in Afghanistan is not over,” said one Afghan Christian leader recently.
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If there was no spiritual power when believers gather together to worship Christ, then Christians in hostile and restricted nations wouldn’t be attacked. If their worship wasn’t a threat, why would enemies of the gospel try to prevent it? Jeremy Malkin, who oversees VOM’s international ministry work in west and central Africa, explains that animistic and Muslim communities’ sense that power of Christians gathering together, and they often respond with violence and persecution towards our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jeremy will share the story of one of our brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Matendo, who was abducted by an armed group of Muslims targeting Christians. He was beaten and threatened for his witness, causing long-term damage to his body, yet he is praising God for miraculously sparing his life. As Christian persecution increases across Africa, there is great need for prayer and support for brothers and sisters who are being driven from their homes and seeing their churches destroyed. On one trip, Jeremy and his team met 300 believers at a church, all wanting to share their story. When Jeremy asked how many had family members who’d been killed by the Islamist rebels, almost everyone in the room raised their hands. Listen to hear an update on Christians in Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin and other African nations, and learn how you can be in prayer for the persecuted church there. Subscribe to VOM’s free magazine to read more about Matendo’s story in the January issue, as well as recieve the 2023 VOM Prayer Map. Listen to Brother Malik’s episode on VOM Radio to hear more about this Fulani Christian’s testimony. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.
Read MoreLuuando Yombo’s husband was an elder in their church in the Ubwari Peninsula in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her mother and brother also served at the church in an area with a large Muslim population. In 2021, Muslim neighbors provided food for church members. After eating the food, the church members grew ill and believed the food had been intentionally poisoned.
Read MoreIn August 2020, a massive fertilizer explosion in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, killed more than 200 people, rendered 300,000 homeless, and caused 15 billion dollars in damage. In 2019, the government defaulted on its debt and many banks collapsed; today, utilities are regularly cut off and rents are rising.
Read MoreA group of believers met for a service of thanksgiving after a significant healing, some of them traveling more than 200 kilometers [124 miles] to attend the service in Madhya Pradesh. Local members of a Hindu radical group noticed the assembly.
Read MoreUnder the brutal control of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia became known for the killing fields where more than a million people were executed. But today, the country is a field ripe for gospel harvest! Garth and Caroline Gustafson, who lead the work of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Cambodia, see seeds being planted and gospel workers sent out to impact generations to come. From the mid 1960s to early 2000s, Cambodia experienced war and political turmoil, the legacy of which still impacts its people. But God is changing a country that was known for killing to be known for His life-giving power, and now for training and sending out workers to restricted nations all over southeast Asia—nations where Christian persecution is common. Garth and Caroline serve in a YWAM training center in Cambodia focused on training local leaders to serve in their own country and into surrounding nations. Listen to hear about their work, and about how God is opening doors to impact people around them—even Buddhist monks. Garth and Caroline will also describe how God led them to serve full time with YWAM and how they train gospel workers who may face persecution for their witness. Garth tells the story of a close friend’s time in jail for his Christian faith—and the surprising reason for his release! They will help listeners pray for Cambodia and describe how it boosts their faith to hear the stories of persecuted Christians and their faithfulness to Jesus. You can connect with Garth and Caroline and with YWAM online. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast.
Read MoreOn Dec. 26, Pastor Jawahar was sitting in his home in western India, talking with members of his church, when Hindu fanatics-including police officers-burst in, accusing the Christians of trying to convert Hindus by fraud.
Read MoreFollowers of local animist traditions in the village of Grahipla had planned an initiation ceremony on July 31, 2022, and told Christians not to worship that day. Local Christians decided the threat would not stop them. But on that day, animist initiates attacked five churches, three of which were holding services.
Read MoreOn Aug. 17, police arrested six adults and one child from the Xi’an Church of Abundance, aggressively searched their homes, and interrogated them at the police station before sending them home. The next day, the six adults were rearrested and charged with illegal gathering and illegal fundraising.
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