Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman

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

In the world’s most populous nation, a deeply troubling trend is unfolding. Over the past decade, Christians in India have faced a disturbing rise in persecution. Churches have been burned or forcibly closed down, pastors encountered false accusations and subsequent arrests due to the country’s anti-conversion laws, numerous Bibles were destroyed, and Christian girls were subjected to kidnapping and assault.

In 2015, there were 177 recorded cases of persecution against followers of Jesus. By 2024, that number had surged to 834 – and experts warn that the real figure is much higher, as countless incidents go unreported.

Joining VOMC’s Greg Musselman to discuss this alarming situation is “Anika” (whose real name has been changed for security reasons). Anika is a lawyer and CEO of an NGO, using her legal expertise to defend and support persecuted Christians throughout India.



Length: 31 minutes

Episode Notes

To watch the interview with “Anika” https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-in-2026-01-19.htm

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com

India Country Profile https://vomcanada.com/india.htm

Support VOMC’s Legal Defence Fund: https://store.vomcanada.org/category/donations/legal-defence-fund

Concerns are growing over potential threats to religious freedom in Canada, including restrictions that could hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. One of the more recent issues relates to proposed amendments to Bill C-9, which is currently under review by members of the Canadian Parliament.

The proposed bill seeks to amend the Canadian Criminal Code in areas relating to propaganda and hate speech. In the latest episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman speaks with VOMC’s CEO, Floyd Brobbel, about the implications of Bill C-9 and how it could affect faith communities across the country. During the interview, Floyd also shares VOMC’s priorities for 2026 and addresses how we can respond to these challenges.

Length: 46 minutes

Episode Notes

To read Floyd’s full statement on Bill C-9, go to: https://www.vomcanada.com/ceo-2025-12-22.htm

To learn more about the proposed legislation, visit: https://evangelicalfellowship.ca/c9

Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com