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Jonathan Ekman is VOM’s vice president for international ministry, overseeing VOM’s work to serve and stand with persecuted Christians in the 70+ countries where they are persecuted. This week he’ll help us look ahead to 2020 and equip us to pray for persecuted Christians—and for VOM workers who directly serve them—in the New Year. Jonathan will talk about persecution response, including specific examples of what VOM’s work looks like and how it is carried out inside hostile and restricted nations. He’ll talk about specific places where the need for VOM’s work is increasing, including India, China and Iran. He’ll also talk about how VOM’s staff members think about risk as they work in hostile and restricted nations—and what kind of people he’s looking for to join VOM’s international ministry team. To help you pray effectively for persecuted Christians in 2020, request your free copy of VOM’s newly-released 2020 Global Prayer Guide. Listen to Jonathan’s message—previously broadcast on VOM Radio—entitled “The Gospel Wildfire.”

This week, we’ll finish our two-part look back at some of the amazing stories God allowed VOM Radio to tell in 2019. We’ll share stories of God’s people in restricted nations in Asia, and look at how persecution affects not only the Christian being persecuted directly, but their family members as well. Hearing small pieces of these episodes will make you want to hear the whole conversation with each of these guests. Here are links to listen online to all the episodes excerpted this week (you can also search for each episode in your favorite podcast app): Brother Enfu from China, who sees constant government surveillance as an opportunity to witness for Christ. Another pastor from China shares about why China’s government is so worried about church growth. Brother Josh tells the story of a Christian in Laos who was fired from his job for following Jesus. Dr. Eric Foley shares the amazing faithfulness of Pastor Han, martyred by North Korean agents inside China. Norine Brunson was very intentional to encourage her husband, Pastor Andrew Brunson, while he was in prison in Turkey, and she shares how much the prayers of Christians around the world meant to her and Andrew. Andrew shares about one of the low points of his imprisonment, and how he felt victorious even in that low moment. Dr. Mary Ho paints for listeners a clearer picture of John Chau, the young man martyred on North Sentinel Island in 2018. Rashin Soodmand remembers her father, martyred in Iran when Rashin was only 13 years old. Susanna Koh tells us the pain of missing her husband, Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in Malaysia almost three years ago. Esther Koh talks about trying to forgive those who abducted her father, without knowing what happened to him or what exactly she needs to forgive. (You can sign a petition on behalf of Pastor Raymond Koh at www.ReleaseRaymond.com.) Please share this episode with Christian friends who share your heart for our persecuted Christian family in hostile and restricted nations.

This week and next on VOM Radio, we’ll look back at some of the amazing stories God has allowed us to tell in 2019. This week we’ll focus especially on stories of God’s work in Muslim nations, places like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Afghanistan and other Islamic nations where Christians often face persecution. Hearing small pieces of these conversations will make you want the whole story from each of these guests. Here are links to listen online to all the episodes excerpted this week (you can also search for each episode in your favorite podcast app): Brother Hannu from Finland, who talked about how God grabbed his heart for Muslims Lowen, from Operation Mobilization, who gives us five “good F-words” to reach out to Muslims John Weaver, author of Najiba Audrey Frank, author of Covered Glory Brother Rachid, who ministers to Muslims all over the world via television, internet and phone calls Hormoz Shariat of Iran Alive Ministries, who speaks via satellite television into Iran every evening Mariam, rescued by Jesus while trying to commit suicide in Iran

VOM this week issued a Special Report about the church in Iran—a timely subject in light of current mass protests all over that nation. This special bonus episode of VOM Radio works hand-in-hand with that special report to help you understand current events in Iran and how they are affecting our Christian brothers and sisters there. Peter Smith has been praying for and watching events in Iran for more than two decades. He’s made connections with Christian workers inside the country and Persian ministries around the world, giving him a unique understanding of what is happening in the country and how the church is being impacted. Request your copy of the VOM Special Report about the church in Iran. Listen to how Peter came to adopt Iran for prayer—and the blessings that resulted—in this episode of VOM Radio.