Voice Podcast

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...

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 rec...

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...

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 b...

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...

“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 curr...

“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 severa...

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...

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. ...

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 Transfo...

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 w...

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...

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 over...

“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 co...

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 suffe...

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...

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...

Over the last year Artless Theatre Company has been touring its production of If Prison Walls Could Speak. This is a powerful play that presents the true story of Release International’s associate ministry worker Petr Jasek who was arrested and imprisoned for his faith in Sudan.  This month Petr himself visited London to attend a showing of the play. On this podcast, hear Petr speak about how it f...

What is the ideal context for Christian ministry? We could approach that question in different ways but for many of us the backdrop of freedom would be high up on our list of priorities.  On today’s podcast hear from Release International partner Pavel from Ukraine. His story might challenge some of our intuitions. Listen in as we talk about the current situation in Ukraine and how the war has pro...

When preparing for a long car journey, you might factor in the possibility of a breakdown, but few of us would anticipate the possibility of being kidnapped. However, for Christians living in north and central Nigeria that possibility is an increasing risk, not least for Christian pastors.  In October 2020, while travelling to a conference, Nigerian pastor Rev Polycarp Zongo was kidnapped by the t...

Visiting Release mission partners, sharing fellowship with them, and hearing their stories first hand is a really important part of Release International’s ministry. It enables us to share the voice of persecuted Christians with the church in the UK with real depth and integrity.  On today’s podcast Release International’s CEO, Paul Robinson who recently visited one of our ministry partners in Eas...

At Release International we are always inspired by the creative thinking and passionate commitment of our supporters. So often people will come forward with great ideas about how to raise awareness, prayer and funds to support our persecuted brothers and sisters. And it is our privilege to be able to support those initiatives wherever we can. On today’s podcast we speak to Release International su...

After telling his disciples that he was sending them out as sheep among wolves, Jesus challenged them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. In the face of persecution Christians are not meant to be simply passive. With the wisdom that God gives, we can think strategically about how best to respond to persecution both after and before it happens.  On today’s podcast we speak to Release Inte...

2021 was another year for the history books. With the pandemic continuing to impact our daily lives, it is important to remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are also impacted – by the pandemic, but also by persecution. It is a sad reality that this coming year, Christians across the world will continue to face violent opposition because of their faith.  Release workers Kenneth an...