Closer to the Fire with Greg Musselman

Season 6: Episode 6: China: Crackdown on Prominent Unregistered House Churches

A nationwide crackdown on urban house churches in China has drawn worldwide attention after nearly 30 members of the Zion Protestant Church were arrested in seven cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, host Greg Musselman is joined by Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, to unpack the reasons behind these recent arrests and why the international media is finally paying attention. During the interview, Dr. Fu also discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s escalating campaign against Christians – and why this wave of persecution is considered the most severe crackdown since the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. This interview was produced by Voice of the Martyrs Australia.  Length: 48 minutes Episode Notes ChinaAid: www.chinaaid.org [http://www.chinaaid.org/]  Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com [http://www.vomcanada.com/]

Season 6: Episode 5: Pakistan: Standing With Christian Women in Their Fight for Justice

In Pakistan, a distorted concept of “honour,” strict blasphemy laws and systemic injustice contribute to the ongoing persecution of Christians – especially young women. Each year, hundreds of female followers of Jesus face abduction, forced marriage, coerced conversion to Islam, and various forms of abuse. In her newly published book, Our Sisters, author Anna Townsend draws on extensive research and a compassionate interviewing style to share the powerful stories of Christian women in Pakistan who have been forced into marriage. Throughout the process, she highlights the courageous faith of these women and their families, as well as the tireless efforts of activists who are working to help them. In this episode of Closer to the Fire, Anna joins podcast host Greg Musselman to discuss the heartbreaking realities experienced by our Christian sisters in this region of the world – and what we can do to stand with them in their fight for justice. Length: 56 minutes   Episode Notes To watch the full interview with Anna Townsend https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-2025-11-23.htm [https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-pk-2025-11-23.htm] Dislocated Christians: https://www.facebook.com/DislocatedChristians [https://www.facebook.com/DislocatedChristians] To purchase your copy of Anna’s recently published book, Our Sisters, visit: https://ko-fi.com/anna3369/shop [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fko-fi.com%2Fanna3369%2Fshop&data=05%7C02%7Cgmusselman%40vomcanada.org%7Ccfa663ecfdd74500e38108de08b551b9%7C71a410229f31421589a52f3c318d273f%7C0%7C0%7C638957772087751609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l5cowndj8Si1MxiMnGzxwJS5gjDZiQ1P1LEJPUEwnz0%3D&reserved=0] Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com [http://www.vomcanada.com/]

Season 6: Episode 4: Nigeria: Is the Ongoing Persecution of Christians “Genocide”?

Violence against Christians in Nigeria has sparked sudden international attention and debate, with some referring to the ongoing crisis as genocide. In September, news commentator Bill Maher stated that “Islamists and Boko Haram [militants] were systematically killing Christians in Nigeria, attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.” More recently, U.S. President Donald Trump declared Nigeria “a country of particular concern” and warned of military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to protect its Christian population. However, Nigerian authorities deny the claims that followers of Jesus are being deliberately targeted and that a genocide is underway. In this powerful episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, the CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, joins host Greg Musselman to explore the facts behind the headlines. During the interview, they address the ongoing suffering of believers in Nigeria and examine whether the repeated acts of brutal violence – and the resulting large number of fatalities – amount to genocide. CSW Nigeria is a partner with VOM Canada.   Length: 40 minutes To watch the interview with Yunusa Nmadu https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2025-11-06.htm [https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-ng-2025-11-06.htm]   Episode Notes Christian Solidarity Worldwide: www.cswng.org.ng [http://www.cswng.org.ng/] Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com [http://www.vomcanada.com/]

Season 6: Episode 3: Russia: Church Congregations Banned and Oppressed

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, evangelical Christians are facing intensifying persecution. In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman is joined by Rev. Mykhailo Brytsyn, Director of the Religious Freedom Initiative for Mission Eurasia and pastor at Grace Church of Evangelical Christians. Rev. Brytsyn, who also serves as secretary of the International Council in southeastern Ukraine, discusses recent Russian court rulings that have forcibly shut down at least five church buildings and placed three others under investigation. A sweeping court order issued in September 2024 now threatens the activities of approximately 2,500 evangelical congregations within Russia. Additionally, Rev. Brytsyn shares sobering insights into the dangerous realities facing believers residing within Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, inviting us to stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters who continue to follow Jesus amid war and oppression. Length: 51 minutes Episode Notes Mission Eurasia: www.missioneurasia.org [http://www.missioneurasia.org/] To read Rev. Brytsyn’s report, “Faith Under Russian Terror: Analysis of the Religious Situation in Ukraine” visit: https://missioneurasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Mission-Eurasia-report-on-Ukraine-ENG.pdf [https://missioneurasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Mission-Eurasia-report-on-Ukraine-ENG.pdf] Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com [http://www.vomcanada.com/]

Season 6: Episode 2: North Korea: Gospel Radio Penetrates the Hermit Kingdom

Ranked number one on Open Doors’ World Watch List, North Korea remains the most dangerous place in the world for followers of Jesus. Church life is virtually nonexistent, gathering for worship or prayer is impossible, and even secret expressions of faith carry grave risks. Christians live under constant surveillance from government spies, neighbours, teachers, and even family members. Being reported for Christian activities can lead to execution or lifelong imprisonment in brutal labour camps. Yet, despite such intense persecution, the Gospel message continues to reach hearts in this Hermit Kingdom – including through the powerful Christian radio broadcasts that are being supported by VOMC.   In this episode of the Closer to the Fire podcast, host Greg Musselman speaks with Dr. Eric Foley, who serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Although listening to foreign broadcasts is illegal and highly punishable in North Korea, Dr. Foley shares how God is using shortwave radio programs to disciple believers and spread the hope of Christ throughout one of the most restrictive nations on earth. During the interview, he also discusses the launch of a new program that’s aimed at further strengthening the country’s resilient underground church.   Length: 1 hour 12 minutes   Episode Notes   To view the interview with Dr. Foley: https://www.vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-kp-2025-09-24.htm [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vomcanada.com%2Fcttf-videos%2Fvideo%2Fcttf-kp-2025-09-24.htm&data=05%7C02%7Cgmusselman%40vomcanada.org%7C56c5909daa114520615408ddfd1a0ac1%7C71a410229f31421589a52f3c318d273f%7C0%7C0%7C638945010480493801%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9KO8%2BrYZDU1%2BCNjhJDKtA%2BR4LO0Pk%2BoyZMym8z6jCNA%3D&reserved=0]   The Voice of the Martyrs Korea: www.vomkorea.com [http://www.vomkorea.com/]   The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com [http://www.vomcanada.com/]