Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman

More than one hundred Christians were among groups of prisoners released from Eritrean detention centres in late 2025 and early 2026. Many of these believers had endured years of captivity in some of the country’s most notorious facilities – places long recognized for inhumane treatment and severely cramped living conditions. Notably, none of the recently released individuals had ever been formally charged with a crime.

In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Berhane Asmelash of Release Eritrea, a ministry devoted to supporting and advocating for persecuted Christians in the country. Dr. Asmelash shares important updates on the recently freed believers and discusses the factors that may have contributed to their unexpected release. He also offers insight into the ongoing challenges facing the wider Christian community in Eritrea, including the plight of several senior church leaders who have remained imprisoned for over 20 years because of their faith.



Length: 51 minutes

Episode Notes

Release Eritrea: https://www.release-eritrea.org

View VOMC’s country profile on Eritrea: https://www.vomcanada.com/eritrea.htm

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

Christians in Iran are facing escalating danger and uncertainty following recent Israeli-American military strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the current conflict has intensified instability, persecution against followers of Jesus in Iran is far from new. For the past 47 years – since the rise of the radical Islamic regime – Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds, have endured systemic repression.

In this episode, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Ed Saleh, Executive Director of ICNET TV, a ministry reaching millions of Iranians with the Gospel message. Originally from Iran and now living in Canada, Ed shares insights from believers on the ground, offering a rare look at how Christians are responding to the crisis, why the church continues to grow despite severe persecution, and how we can stand in prayer with our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ.



Length: 46:30



Episode Notes

To view the interview with Ed Saleh https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ir-2026-03-18.htm

ICNET TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ICnetTV

ICNET Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/icnet.tv/

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

To access VOMC’s previously published reports on Iran, visit: https://www.vomcanada.com/iran.htm

On July 9th, 2011, South Sudan officially became an independent nation, making it the world’s youngest country. The nation experienced two years of relative peace and growing prosperity before civil war erupted in 2013, triggering a massive humanitarian crisis. Today, 13 years later, South Sudan continues to struggle under the weight of ethnic tensions, political instability, unfulfilled promises, and the ongoing effects of conflict – leaving many to describe it as a fallen state.

In this episode of Closer to the Fire, Greg Musselman speaks with Stephen Wesley, VOMC’s Director of Global Education and Discipleship. Stephen recently travelled to South Sudan with two VOMC ministry partners to encourage local believers, teach on the theology of persecution and discipleship, and provide trauma counselling to Christians who have endured profound suffering.

Length: 52 minutes



Episode Notes

Subscribe to VOMC’s weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert emails: https://store.vomcanada.org/subscribe#q40771

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

A deeply troubling trend is unfolding in the world’s most populous nation. Over the past decade, Christians in India – particularly in the northern regions – have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been attacked, burned or forcibly closed. In addition, believers were beaten, pastors have encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests under the country’s anti-conversion laws, the burning of Bibles had repeatedly taken place, and reports have emerged of forced reconversions to Hinduism.

Closer to the Fire host, Greg Musselman, recently travelled to the state of Odisha to hear firsthand the stories of Christians who have experienced opposition for their faith and ministry work. Through these conversations, Greg explored the cost of following Christ in a climate of growing hostility – and the remarkable courage of believers who remain determined to spread the hope of the Gospel.

During his travels, Greg also partnered with Step International Canada to teach a course on the theology of persecution, equipping Indian pastors and ministry ‘leaders in training’ to prepare faithfully for the challenges ahead. Abhijit Naya, the Executive Director of Step International will join Greg after the report from Odisha.



Length: 33 minutes

Report Notes

To view the report from India www.vomcanada.com/video/in-2026-02-11.htm

Step International Canada: www.stepinternational.ca

View VOMC’s country profile on India: www.vomcanada.com/india.htm

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada www.vomcanada.com

Ranking second on the 2026 World Watch List, Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus. Public Christian worship is forbidden; conversion from Islam is illegal; and the militant terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, continues its violent campaign to eliminate Christianity – openly executing anyone suspected of having faith in Jesus.

In the midst of this intense persecution, God is powerfully at work. Through the ministry of Somalia Christian TV, countless Somalis are hearing the Gospel, and thereby encountering Jesus for the first time. The media ministry, led by former Somali Muslims Shino and Shania Gabo, is reaching deep into Somali communities with the hope, truth and life-changing message of God’s salvation through Christ.

During this episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Shino and Shania who will be sharing their remarkable testimonies. In addition to revealing the tremendous impact that this couple’s growing media outreach is having on so many lives in Somalia, the interview will also address the real dangers they continue to face because of their courageous faith.

Length: 58:30

Episode Notes

To watch the interview with the Gabo’s https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-so-2025-02-04.htm

Somalia Christian TV: https://somalichristiantv.org

Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List: https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

Learn more about persecution in Somalia: https://www.vomcanada.com/somalia.htm