Voice Podcast

Release International has just changed its name to Voice of Persecuted Christians. In this edition, CEO Paul Robinson, staff member James Fraser, and trustee Danielle, talk about the significance of the change—and what is says about the ministry’s message to Christians and churches in the UK.

Voice podcast host Kenneth Harrod speaks with Bishop Joseph D’Souza about India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), created about 50 years ago to stop foreign funds being used for terrorism but, he says, increasingly used to target civil society and Christian organisations. D’Souza alleges that recent non-transparent license renewals led to nearly 22,000 groups being denied registration,...

Join our CEO, Paul Robinson, and a dedicated group of supporters as they take on the Light Walk Challenge. Climbing Scafell Pike with a 10-foot cross to raise awareness and support for persecuted Christians worldwide. Discover more about their inspiring journey and how you can get involved at:  https://releaseinternational.org/light-walk-challenge/ #LightWalkChallenge 

Inside Iran, protests are met with brutal crackdowns, yet something extraordinary is happening beneath the surface. In this powerful episode, our partner Lazarus  Yeghnazar shares stories of courage, persecution, and a growing underground church, with over a million turning to Christ -many through dreams. As fear of famine and further devastation looms, he calls for prayer, hope, and attention. Th...

In this episode of the Release International Voice podcast, Tom Hardie continues his conversation with Sharif*, a former radicalised Muslim from a family of imams who encountered Christ while in prison. We rejoin the story after his conversion, when Sharif was given an additional year behind bars on a charge of blasphemy, a sentence he calls 'the best year of my life.' From there, he des...

Born into a family of imams and radicalised in the Muslim Brotherhood, Sharif* never imagined he would meet Jesus in a solitary prison cell. In Part 1 of this two‑part conversation, he shares how jihad, political activism, and imprionment led him to a series of mysterious encounters and a long, painful journey through the Qur’an that ended at the feet of Christ. *name changed for security reasons

Singing for the Suffering: Aimee Thompson's Journey & Album for Release International In this episode of Release International's Voice podcast, host Kenneth welcomes Aimee Thompson, a 26-year-old musician and student from Northern Ireland. Amy shares her unique journey of faith, influenced by her upbringing as a minister's daughter, and how her isolated time in London strengthen...

Arrested in Turkey and imprisoned for two years, missionary Andrew Brunson faced isolation, despair, and what felt like the silence of God. In this powerful conversation, he opens up about the spiritual crisis that shook his faith — and how that silence became the doorway to deeper intimacy with God. Andrew also reflects on the political and religious forces behind his imprisonment, why he believe...

In this episode we speak to Release International’s Charlie Frank, after his first visit to Nigeria. Listen as he shares about his first impressions of the country, about preparing himself to hear distressing stories, and about the encouragements of meeting both Release International partners and Christians who have suffered—and who are persevering in their faith.

What does it mean to believe in the providence of God when facing persecution? In this deeply moving and theologically rich discussion, author Kenneth Harrod is joined by John Stevens (National Director, FIEC) and Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi (Release International partner in Nigeria) to explore the themes of his new book, Providence and Persecution. Hosted by Paul Robinson, CEO of Release Internati...

In this podcast episode, Kenneth and Jack discuss Armenia's history, recent conflicts, and the state of Christianity in the country. Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity in the 4th century, has faced significant challenges, including a genocide during WWI and recent conflicts with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. These conflicts have led to the displacement of over 100,000 Armenia...

The brutal killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons shocked the world. It also spotlighted the reality of a militant Hindu nationalism in India. Following the recent release from prison of one of Graham’s killers, we speak to a senior church leader in India, Bishop Joseph D’Souza, about the events of that night in 1999; of the nature of Hindu nationalism; and of the m...

In this episode, Release International staff member Stephen McIlroy shares insights from his recent visit to Malaysia. Discover how God is the true missionary , revealing Himself through dreams and visions. Learn about the realities of faith under pressure  Join us in praying for the church in Malaysia.

In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we’re speaking to Release International CEO, Paul Robinson. The annual Persecution Trends Report is the report of Release International’s partners on the ground: their summary of what has been happening to Christians in their country. Listen as Paul highlights some of the countries mentioned in this year’s report—and tells us how we can read...

Lebanon is a country that has been besieged by problems in recent years. In this edition of the Voice Podcast we speak to our partner Naji who continues to minister to persecuted Christians in, and despite the current difficulties. 

Coming to faith in Christ brings us the joy of a new family: the Body of Christ. But sometimes it means it can bring painful separation from our old family. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast host Kenneth Harrod speaks to RI colleague Jack Norman about Christian life in Egypt. If you would like to make a donation to support the work of Release International, you can do so onl...

Serving on the front-line, where Christians are suffering severe persecution, can be tough. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to our Nigerian partner Mark Lipdo, who for several years has run the Stefanos Foundation, a ministry addressing the trauma that many Nigerian Christians experience.

Many of Pakistan’s Christian communities live on constant ‘high alert’, aware that violence can erupt at any moment. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to one of our partners in Pakistan, as we look back on a much-publicised incident last year, and reflect on what life can be like today for Christians in that country.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, Christian communities are coming under increased pressure from various militant, Islamist groups. Violent attacks in northern Nigeria have been well documented in recent years, but in this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to RI staff member John Lawson about another country in that region; one that we hear far less about: Burkina Faso 

China is a country that is rarely out of the news. But what does it mean to be a Christian in China these days? And what are the challenges currently facing the Church in China? According to our partner Bob Fu, a harsh winter is descending on the Church with a government that seems intent on wiping out Christianity. Listen to our latest podcast as Bob tells us what encourages him and ways in which...

Pressure on the small, Protestant church in Algeria has been growing in recent years. New laws have brought crackdowns, church closures and arrests. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to our partner in Algeria about the current situation, what a difference Release International support has been making in Algeria and how you can pray for Christians in that country.

For a number of years now Release International has supported persecuted Christians who have fled to the safer haven of the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to Ano Jawhar, a Christian politician in Kurdistan, who talks to us about past persecution, the present nature of the region – and the dangerous mindset of militant groups lik...

"We still have windows of opportunity [and] it is our obligation before the Lord to pray for them and support them" In many parts of our world today Christians continue to pay a high price for following Jesus Christ. In this edition of Release International’s Voice podcast we speak to Pavel, our partner for countries in Central Asia. Listen in as we talk about the current situation in Uk...

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 Ber...

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...