Forbidden Faith: Inspiring Conversations with Persecuted Christians

Petr Jasek, a Czech national and VOM’s Africa regional director, spent 445 days in a Sudanese prison. Days after returning home, Petr sat down with VOM Radio host, Todd Nettleton, to share his story and thank the thousands of people who prayed for him and his co-defendants during his long months in prison. Listen in as Petr shares about going to the airport to leave and the point when he knew what he faced was much more than a routine security screening. He’ll share how he kept praying as he was questioned, and how he found out that his cell mates were members of ISIS.  Your faith will be encouraged as you hear how God had been preparing Petr—even years before his arrest—to remain faithful even during months in prison. Listen as he shares the verse that became a theme for him during those long months in prison. It was not a verse about setting captives free. Instead, it was a verse about the holiness of God. It became a theme for Petr; he would use it to guide his prayers and recite it over and over each day throughout his imprisonment. Meditating on God’s holiness provided strength for Petr as his radical Muslim cellmates began to pressure, persecute and torture him. Listen also for the opportunity God provided that encouraged Petr as he began to lose hope after four months in prison. Petr’s story challenges each of us to think about how we deal with hardship or opposition, and reminds us to seek God’s plan and His will, even when we’re uncomfortable or suffering. From the first days after his arrest in Sudan, Petr repeatedly said, “God is the One who holds the key to my cell.” Listen as he shares how he stopped praying to be released from prison and simply focused on fulfilling the Lord’s purpose for him inside prison walls.  Petr tells what it was like to hear the judge announce that he was sentenced to life in prison, and the verse he read from Psalms moments before he found out God would be using the key and opening Petr’s cell door. Petr will also share—from his personal experience—how we should pray for Christians in prison, and for their families who sometimes suffer more than the prisoners. You will be challenged to think about what it means to wait on the Lord as you hear Petr share how, after 445 days, God set this captive free. Forbidden Faith listeners can receive a free copy of Petr Jasek’s book, Imprisoned with ISIS, as well as an “Imprisoned with Them” wristband to remind us to pray for Christians currently in prison for their faith, when you make any donation to The Voice of the Martyrs at www.Persecution.com/Petr. Hear fresh stories of persecuted Christians and those working for the gospel in hostile and restricted nations each week when you subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast.

Martin and Gracia Burnham were serving as missionaries in the Philippines, where Martin was a pilot with New Tribes Mission (now called Ethnos 360). The Burnhams went away for a few days to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Those few days turned into more than a year in the jungle when they were kidnapped and held hostage by radical Muslim terrorists. Listen this week as Gracia tells how she wrestled with God and even with her own faith during those dark days of captivity. She’ll also share how she experienced the prayers of God’s people, even as Martin was killed during a rescue attempt. Gracia says at times in the jungle she couldn’t allow herself to even think about her three children because it was just too difficult. Today, looking back, she can see the full story of God’s faithfulness to them. Gracia will also give an update on how God continues to work in the hearts of the terrorists that held her hostage. Gracia’s story will inspire you to find ways to glorify God, regardless of what challenges you are facing. You can read the whole story of her captivity in Gracia’s book, In the Presence of My Enemies (affiliate link). You can learn more about Gracia and give to support her ongoing work at https://graciaburnham.org/. This is Bible Month at The Voice of the Martyrs. Give online to help make it possible for every believer living in hostile areas and restricted nations to have access to his or her own copy of God’s Word. Hear inspiring stories from persecuted Christians and from those sharing the gospel in restricted nations every week on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Taour helped train Sudanese pastors to prepare them for persecution. He didn’t know he was also preparing himself for the day he’d be arrested by the Islamist regime in Sudan, charged with aiding espionage 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.” Pastor Hassan shares how his heart remained upbeat, even as he stood in the courtroom while the judge pronounced him guilty, and sentenced Hassan 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 so profound it caused him to weep tears of joy. “It is really a privilege to be persecuted,” he says. Your faith will be encouraged, and you’ll be challenged to pray for the church in Sudan and for Christians currently imprisoned for their faith as you hear Pastor Hassan’s amazing testimony this week on Forbidden Faith: Inspiring Conversations With Persecuted Christians. Pastor Hassan was imprisoned along with the Africa regional director for The Voice of the Matyrs, Petr Jasek. You can hear Petr’s side of the story here.

When Hannelie Groenewald and her family left their comfortable life in South Africa to serve Christ in Afghanistan, they knew the danger. But God’s call to them was clear, and they went in spite of the risk. Hannelie became not only wife and mom, but also teacher, doctor and cook in a country not known for welcoming foreigners—especially women. As time passed, God strengthened her faith, even if He didn’t answer all her questions. She couldn’t have known the extent of the sacrifice her family would be called to make, and in fact says she wasn’t strong enough to make such a sacrifice. But God prepared her, even in the days and weeks immediately before the murder of her husband and children, to stand strong in the face of suffering and persecution. Hannelie will tell us which Psalm she read over and over again as she waited to hear whether her family was alive or dead, and the amazement of Afghans at her ability to forgive the Taliban murderers. She shares hard-earned truth with listeners who may be struggling to forgive someone who has wronged them, and talks about finding her footing after the loss of her family and seeking God’s plan for her in the future. She’ll also equip us to pray more effectively for the nation of Afghanistan and our Christian brothers and sisters there. You can also watch a video telling the story of Hannelie and her family, which was produced by The Voice of the Martyrs for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Hannelie’s inspiring testimony will challenge you to consider what you’re willing to risk to share God’s love in an increasingly-hostile world.

Brother Rachid is the host of an Arabic-language television program, answering on-air questions that Muslims have about faith and about Jesus Christ. The very first day his program went on the air, Rachid was hoping that 10 or 20 Muslims might call in with questions. The show received 800 calls in the first half hour! Rachid knows first-hand the persecution that comes when a Muslim rejects Islam: his own family kicked him out when he became a Christian. Listen as Rachid shares his story of coming to Christ, his family’s rejection and what it meant for him to enter into fellowship with other Arab Christians. He’ll also help listeners understand some of the teachings of Islam that directly contradict the gospel message—and advise us on reaching out to Muslims we know with the gospel. You can watch a video about Brother Rachid’s testimony here. Be inspired with specific ways to pray for Christians facing persecution in hostile areas and restricted nations! Request your copy of the free 2021 VOM Global Prayer Guide.

Rashin Soodmand was 13 years old when her father, Pastor Hossein Soodmand, was executed by the Iranian government for the crime of apostasy—leaving Islam to follow another faith. Listen as she shares how her family’s life changed, but also how proud she is of a father who chose to lay down his life rather than deny Christ. She’ll tell us about the man her father was, loving his congregation and loving his family, and how people were drawn to his kindness and love. Rashin will recall how church leaders encouraged Pastor Hossein to pack up his family, leave Iran and go somewhere safer. Listen to his exact words as he flatly refused, saying that to do so would discourage the hearts of his congregation. “They couldn’t stop my father from ministering to his people,” Rashin says. She’ll also describe the last time she saw her dad, and the day she heard he’d been executed. Just three days after her father’s death, Rashin wrote a letter to God. In the letter, she promised to follow Christ boldly, just as her father had—even if it meant great sacrifice. Today she’s living out that promise, including ministering to the church inside Iran. Her father wasn’t the only martyr of the Iranian church Rashin knew well. She’ll tell some of the things she remembers about other martyrs she knew personally: Haik Hovsepian, who preached at her father’s funeral; Mehdi Dibaj, who encouraged her to attend Bible school; and Pastor Mohammad “Ravanbakhsh” Yusefi. To learn more about the current ministry of Rashin and her husband, Amir, visit the Torch Ministries web site. Be sure to request your free copy of the 2021 Global Prayer Guide from The Voice of the Martyrs.

Pastor Andrew Brunson spent two years in Turkish prisons accused, among other “crimes,” of helping plot a coup against President Erdogan’s government there. He says every single day was a battle to overcome his fear, grief and anxiety. There were very dark days for Brunson, isolated in prison and wondering why God seemed silent in his time of suffering. Listen as he shares how he poured out his frustrations to God, but ultimately chose to lean into God—even if God seemed to remain distant. Pastor Brunson took strength from the stories of other Christians who suffered persecution. One of those was Richard Wurmbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs and the author of Tortured for Christ and other books. Andrew says he “spent a lot of time with Richard Wurmbrand in prison,” through Richard’s writings. Listen to hear how Wurmbrand even inspired Pastor Brunson to dance in his prison cell. Brunson was also inspired by another former prisoner for Christ (and VOM Radio guest), Dan Baumann, to lock away doubts and questions and choose to leave those in God’s hand. Brunson says he told God from his prison cell, “I don’t need answers to have a relationship with You.” Andrew will share about the song God birthed in his soul while he was locked in prison, and how his heart changed over long months in prison to a posture of faithfulness and trust in spite of not seeing his outward circumstances change. That heart change, he says, was his victory over the terrible circumstances and injustice he faced in prison. Finally, Brunson will tell the story of a letter he wrote to his wife, Norine, that clearly demonstrated his changed heart as he expressed commitment to drink every drop that the Lord had ordained for him to drink from the “cup of suffering.” Andrew tells the entire story in his book, God’s Hostage, which you can order here (affiliate link).

On February 13, 2017 Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted off the streets of Malaysia. Nearby security cameras captured the entire crime. In the four years since, Koh hasn’t been seen or heard from; his car has never been found. It wasn’t Raymond’s first taste of persecution; he’d previously been mailed a box of bullets as a warning to stop his ministry. This week Susanna Koh, Raymond’s wife, will talk about how Pastor Raymond continued to minister in spite of threats and danger. She’ll also describe a spiritual deepening she saw in her husband in the months before his abduction, and how she knows God was preparing him for the challenging time to come. Listen as Susanna shares how God has carried her and her family through the last four years, and how He’s even enabled them to forgive those who took her husband away. She’ll share specific scriptural promises and Christian songs that have helped her through dark hours of grief and anxiety. After you listen, sign the petition to join Christians around the world in demanding that Malaysia's government explain Pastor Raymond's disappearance. Susanna and her family have been greatly encouraged by notes, cards and letters from members of their spiritual family around the world. You can join in encouraging her by sending a card or a note of encouragement. Mailing address and information here. Note: this interview was recorded in 2019. Susanna’s is just one of the stories told by Forbidden Faith host, Todd Nettleton, in his new book, When Faith is Forbidden.

In this special Forbidden Faith bonus episode, we’ll hear from Karen Short, telling her side of the story of her husband’s detention in North Korea in 2014. When John was detained, Karen was at their home and work in Hong Kong, praying for her husband, dealing with the media and government officials, and receiving love and encouragement from all over the world. Listen in as Karen shares: How God ministered to her during John’s detention How she and John stayed connected through Scripture—even though they couldn’t communicate at all during his detention How journalists and others responded to Karen’s calm assurance and faith in God How she found out her husband would be coming home The one thing she wishes she’d done differently—it will surprise you! The story of Karen’s faithfulness will inspire you to trust more deeply in God and dive deeper into His Word, even if you’re not planning a trip to North Korea.

Australian John Short was taken prisoner in North Korea after leaving gospel tracts near a Buddhist temple. He was repeatedly interrogated. He was forced to write a “confession” of his “crimes,” including the offense of wanting more North Koreans to follow Jesus Christ. He was facing years in prison—but he wasn’t afraid. “Fear and faith cannot exist within my heart at the same time,” he says. And Short says that if God asked him today, he would happily go back to the “Hermit Kingdom.” Mr. Short agreed to only two media interviews after his release; one of them was with The Voice of the Martyrs. Short shares how God strengthened him during his captivity, the Scriptures and earthly examples that most encouraged him, and how he managed to take a measure of control back from his captors — and even make them nervous. Completely isolated during his captivity, Short was surprised on his release to learn that his story had become international news. He was deeply moved to learn that Christians in many nations were praying for him during his trial, including a group of Chinese house churches that prayed around the clock during his detention. Mr. Short will also equip listeners with specific ways we can pray for North Korea.

This is release week for Forbidden Faith host Todd Nettleton’s new book: When Faith is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, published by Moody Publishers. In this special bonus episode, Forbidden Faith listeners can hear a preview of the audiobook version, which will be available soon wherever audiobooks are distributed. Today: Day 1: Beyond Our Control. You can learn more about the book, and order your copy, at www.WhenFaithIsForbidden.com.

This is release week for Forbidden Faith host Todd Nettleton’s new book: When Faith is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, published by Moody Publishers. In this special bonus episode, Forbidden Faith listeners can hear a preview of the book: the first chapter of the audio book, available soon wherever audiobooks are distributed. You can learn more about the book, and order your copy, at www.WhenFaithIsForbidden.com.  

Helen Berhane was a well-known worship leader and gospel singer in the churches of Eritrea when the government outlawed evangelical churches. In one week churches went from meeting openly to underground, meeting in homes and hiding from police. In the midst of that crackdown, Helen was arrested, beaten and put in prison. Listen as Helen shares how she prepared her heart, ahead of time, for the days she would face persecution. She’ll talk about the Scriptures she drew strength from, and how she was able to keep singing praise to God, even as her suffering increased. Listen to how she experienced God’s amazing presence, even locked inside a metal shipping container. For years, Helen had read Scriptures about forgiving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. But during long months locked away a shipping container, Helen got to see those Scriptures come to life in her own spirit and her actions. Listen to hear how she found that in the fires of intense persecution she was able to forgive and even love her persecutors. She’ll also share what it meant to know other Christians around the world were praying for her and writing letters on her behalf, and how God’s Word powerfully impacted her as she read it while in prison. Finally, Helen will encourage us with ways we can pray for Eritrea—both for our brothers and sisters in prison there and for government leaders in the country who are persecuting our Christian family. SPECIAL NOTE: Forbidden Faith podcast host, Todd Nettleton, has a new book releasing THIS WEEK. You can learn more about the book and find links to order your copy at www.WhenFaithIsForbidden.com.

As a young man, Dmitry “David” Shestakov was a criminal and a drug user. His mother—an atheist—tried everything to get her son’s attention and turn his life around. Finally, in desperation, she went to church and prayed, “God, if You exist, save my son!” God answered her prayer! And after Jesus saved him, David committed to tell others the Good News that had transformed his heart. God showed David early on that his service would be costly—and it was. He was arrested for his Christian work and sentenced to long years in prison. “Why me?” he asked. But he saw God working even in prison. One of the things God used to bless—and even protect—David was letters written by The Voice of the Martyrs readers through www.PrisonerAlert.com. Listen to how God used those letters to make David a respected figure in the prison, and help him avoid being beaten by the guards. You’ll also hear how the Uzbek government tried to add years to his sentence, but God miraculously moved and David was released, “like a Scripture came to life.” Finally, David will share thoughts on how we can pray for Christians in prison right now, and for their family members, whose suffering is sometimes even greater than the prisoner’s. You’ll have another opportunity to hear from former prisoners for Christ when you sign up to be a part of the free Imprisoned For Christ Virtual Event.

In this inaugural episode of Forbidden Faith: Inspiring Conversations with Persecuted Christians, “Sister Amber” shares her story of being arrested and persecuted at the hands of Chinese officials in Tibet, and the faithfulness of God she found even in the midst of intense persecution. Sister Amber spent more than a decade in Tibet, providing vocational training to the people and sharing the gospel message of Christ’s love. She felt God's call especially to work among Tibet's nomadic tribal people, who jokingly call themselves "the roof on the roof of the world." Amber watched as God brought about a great ministry breakthrough: people who'd been totally closed to her message were now asking to learn more about Jesus. But just days after that breakthrough, opposition arrived; police pounding on her door. Listen as she tells the story. You'll hear how God ministered to her in the hardest moments of her suffering. You'll hear how she was eventually released, and the way God showed her that the persecution she endured was not the end of the story. You'll also hear how God laid on the hearts of people around the world to pray for Amber, including one who drew a picture of Amber surrounded by policemen in the interrogation room. Months later, when Amber saw the picture, it matched exactly the setting of her interrogation, and also offered a ray of spiritual hope about one of her persecutors. Your faith will be challenged as you hear Amber's thoughts on what the New Testament calls the "honor" of being persecuted, and she’ll give first-hand advice on how to pray for persecuted Christians who are in prison right now. Stay up-to-date on the latest stories of persecuted Christians, as well as ways you can pray for and bless them, when you subscribe to the award-winning, free monthly magazine from The Voice of the Martyrs.

Inspire your faith! Hear directly from Christians who’ve endured persecution for the name of Christ—yet experienced God’s goodness and blessing in the midst of suffering.