Release International's Voice Podcast

Eritrea is a country where it is extremely difficult to be an Evangelical Christian; a country where evangelising – and even praying in meetings – can be dangerous activities.In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to our Eritrean partner, Dr Berhane Asmelash, who explains the background to the situation in that country and what it is like being a Christian there.Dr Berhane reminds us of the story of Luul and his family, who now live in the UK. If you would like to support Christians around the world who are forced to flee for their faith, please go to our website where you can read more about our current appeal: https://releaseinternational.org/campaign/luul/ 

Persecution has always been one of the ways the powers of darkness seek to stop the spread of the gospel. That’s why it’s important that we pray. But to pray with understanding we need to know who to pray for and what to pray for. We need to be informed.In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast I speak to my colleague Tom Hardie. Tom edits our quarterly Voice magazine and recently compiled our annual Persecution Trends report.Read the report on our website: releaseinternational.org/flip-books/Persecution-Trends-Report-2024/#p=1 

India is the world's largest democracy. A country whose constitution grants its citizens the freedom not only to profess and practice, but even to propagate, religion. And yet it is a country where the persecution of Christians continues.In this edition of Release International's Voice podcast we hear about recent violent attacks on Christian communities, particularly in the north east of India.

In this month’s edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we continue our conversation with Maciek, from our sister ministry in Poland, about the situation for Evangelical Christians in Ukraine. Listen in to hear about the work that is being done there – and also of the growing zeal among Christians in Ukraine to share the gospel.

The war in Ukraine has been prominent in our news headlines over the last year, but how has this conflict impacted Christians there? In the first of a two part conversation, we speak to Maciek from our sister ministry Voice of the Martyrs Poland. VoM Poland has been working to support Evangelical Christians living in the occupied areas of Ukraine where life has become extremely challenging in recent times. 

Back in August mob attacks on Christian homes and churches in Pakistan hit the news headlines around the world. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to former staff member Imtiaz, who recently visited the area and met those who lived through that ordeal.  Listen as he reflects on this and on the broader needs of the church in Pakistan, and hear how you can stand with our brothers and sisters there in prayer. 

North Korea is a country that fascinates many of us – not least because it seems so secretive. What is life like there? What’s it like being a Christian in North Korea?In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we continue our conversation with Eric Foley, head of our sister ministry, Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Last month Eric spoke about his ministry – and how it was transformed by listening to, and understanding, North Korean Christians. Listen now as Eric suggests how we are to view and pray for our North Korean brothers and sisters in Christ.

The first of two podcast conversations with Eric Foley, Voice of the Martyrs Korea.In his letter to the Colossians the Apostle Paul emphasises that our sufficiency is in Christ alone, “for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and [we] have been filled in him.” And yet Paul speaks of his sufferings.In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to Eric Foley, head of our sister ministry, Voice of the Martyrs Korea. What does ministry to North Korean Christians look like – and how did Voice of the Martyrs Korea begin?

“Released from a small prison to a bigger prison.” That’s how life is described for many Chinese Christian pastors who have been imprisoned for their gospel ministry and who continue to live under heavy surveillance after their release.In this edition of the Voice podcast we speak to Release International partner Bob Fu, president of the Christian organisation ChinaAid. Hear Bob describe the current political situation in China, and what that means for Christians and for the Christian church.  Bob also shares some of the challenges faced by high-profile pastors – even after they are released from prison.

“I am asking God that out of these ashes will rise a wave of an uncommon, unseen revival.” So said Nigerian Archbishop Ben Kwashi, commenting on two decades of violence against Christian communities in that country.In this edition of Release International’s Voice Podcast we speak to journalist Andrew Boyd, who serves as Press Officer for Release International. Andrew has visited Nigeria on several occasions to report on the suffering of Christians.He shares his analysis of the atrocities in Nigeria and discusses why it is important to hear the stories of persecution – and how he has been inspired by some of the Christians he has met.

While in prison the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, “pray for us, that God may open a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we continue our current focus on Nigeria. We speak to Mark Mukan, who oversees one of the projects Release International is supporting in that country – a project which seeks to take the gospel back to those areas ravaged by violent persecution. You can hear from Mark Mukan in June when he is in the UK for a series of speaking events. Find out more here: releaseinternational.org/events

For the past two decades Christians in northern and central Nigeria have endured horrendous violent persecution. Thousands have been killed and many more forced to flee, in the face of Islamist extremist attacks. This month Release International has launched a three-month campaign called Out of these ashes to focus attention on the situation in Nigeria and to call Christians to committed prayer. In this edition of Release International’s Voice Podcast we speak to Mark Lipdo, a Release International partner in Nigeria, about one particular response to the suffering of Christians in that country. Hear about the Trauma Healing Workshops his organisation runs and some powerful testimonies of the positive impact those workshops have had on Christians who have suffered persecution. 

Iran is a country with a long history going back into the Old Testament. Oppression, frustration and a lack of hope have characterised life for many of its citizens since the establishment of an Islamic Republic in 1979. Christians there have faced persecution for their faith but the church has continued to grow.In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast hear from Simon from Transform Iran. He speaks about life in Iran and about how God has been at work, even as his people have suffered. 

Twen had been a Christian for only 2 years when she was arrested and imprisoned in Eritrea at the age of 21. She had no idea she would spend the next 16 years locked away in the Eritrean prison system for choosing to follow Jesus. Over the years she suffered intense persecution, but by the grace of God, she survived violent beatings, isolation in scorching-hot shipping containers, deprivation of water and food, and even being thrown into a pit of poisonous snakes. There’s more of her story in the latest edition of Release International’s Voice magazine. But hear from her now on this episode of the Voice podcast as we had the privilege of speaking to Twen after she was released from prison.

It’s the start of a new year – 2023 is well and truly here. What are you looking forward to this year? Unfortunately, for millions of Christians across the world today, this new year will mean another year of persecution. Following the recent publication of Release International’s Persecution Trends report for 2023, which highlights the pressures Christians are likely to face in several key areas over the year, we are speaking to the CEO’s of three of our sister ministries. On today’s podcast, hear from Cole Richards of VOM USA, Tony Benjamin of VOM Australia and Floyd Brobbel of VOM Canada. Listen in as we discuss some of the key areas where persecution is expected to rise this year, as well as how all this information can help all of us and our churches to be better informed, and to pray.You can read the Persecution Trends report for 2023 in our January magazine or on our website: www.releaseinternational.org/persecution-trends-2023 

On this episode, hear Pastor Jihad, who is the leader of the True Vine Baptist church in Zahle, Lebanon, share his personal testimony and how God prepared him to help those fleeing the war in Syria. As a child he was himself displaced from his home by the Syrian army, but God is now using him to reach Syrian refugees – those who were once seen as his enemy.  We'll hear how the church is overcoming daily challenges – to live the best and ‘most satisfying’ life for Christ. 

“Pray for us,” writes the Apostle Paul, toward the end of his letter to the Colossians, “that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ – on account of which I am in prison.” (Col. 4:3) A few verses later Paul ends that letter with a simple, moving request: “Remember my chains.” (Col. 4:18) When Christians suffer persecution for their faith in Christ we should be concerned; we should remember them. In this edition of the Voice Podcast hear from Release International’s CEO Paul Robinson. On the eve of another annual Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church we’ll be talking about why it is important to remember and to pray. For IDOP resources visit: releaseinternational.org/idopTo register for the IDOP online event on Sunday 6th November visit: bit.ly/IDOPeventTickets 

On this edition of Release International’s Voice Podcast we will hear from Susanna Koh, wife of Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted more than four years ago in a highly professional operation. He has never been seen since. Listen as Susanna talks about her family’s struggle to find out what has happened to Raymond and the pressure they have been under. But also hear how Raymond’s suffering has motivated Christians in their service of Christ and the gospel.

Persecution has many faces. Sometimes it appears as oppression; sometimes as violence. One way that Christians around the world experience persecution for their faith is imprisonment. In this edition of the Voice Podcast our guest is Release International’s Imtiaz Ashraf, who has visited Christians imprisoned for their faith in Pakistan. Hear him talk about some of the difficulties Christians in Pakistan face – and the pain of imprisonment, as well as some of the encouragements that he has seen in and through the lives of those suffering for Christ and the gospel.

Release International is privileged to work with some amazingly dedicated and courageous partners across the world. Their love for the Lord drives them to faithfully serve our persecuted brothers and sisters, often at great cost to themselves. And it is a special privilege for us when they are able to visit the UK. During those times we get to share face to face fellowship with them and hear their voice directly.Hear Release International worker James Fraser discuss our forthcoming speaker tour with international partner Bob Fu of China Aid. Listen in as we hear Bob’s story of faith and imprisonment in China, his previous visit to the UK, and what we can look forward to during his visit in October this year. Plus, we have a special contribution from Bob himself who recounts the opposition and threats he and his family faced in Texas in 2020. For full details of dates and venues just visit www.releaseinternational.org/events.