AFRICA: Walking the Path With Our Persecuted Christian Family

·25 min·2 clips

A Togolese church worker, abducted by jihadists, refuses to quote the Quran and later escapes after a mysterious figure frees him.

The episode opens with a dramatic story of a church worker in Togo who was abducted by a jihadist group in 2022, refused to quote the Quran, and escaped after a mysterious figure freed him. Host Todd Nettleton introduces guest Matthew Hanson, who has transitioned from leading VOM's work in South and Central Asia to West and Central Africa. They compare persecution contexts, noting that in Africa, non-state actors like Boko Haram and other jihadist groups are often the perpetrators, unlike in India where the government is involved. Hanson describes the scale of violence in DR Congo, where over a hundred rebel groups operate, and an Islamist group killed 70 Christians in a church attack. The conversation shifts to VOM's holistic approach, which includes trauma recovery and spiritual care alongside material aid. They discuss Burkina Faso, where attacks in December displaced 5,000 people and 400 pastors, and VOM partners with local denominations to provide relief and support pastors. A touching moment involves a woman in a displacement camp who received a Bible after months of saving money. The episode also covers Nigeria, where Boko Haram and Fulani groups attack Christians, and highlights ministries discipling Muslim background believers. Hanson shares the story of a young Nigerian woman who converted at 16, was starved and beaten by her family, and survived with help from a pastor. The interview concludes with prayer requests for wisdom for church leaders, Muslims to come to faith, and protection for VOM's team.

As heard by us

A testimony of escape sits beside the quieter cost of pastors staying and displaced believers receiving care.

Violence, endurance, and the everyday labor of care shape VOMRadio's journey through Togo and Burkina Faso. Brother Matthew recounts a church worker's abduction by a jihadist group in 2022, his refusal to quote the Quran, and his escape on the ninth night of captivity.

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Why you'd press play

Hear how believers in Africa keep worshiping and serving while violence presses on their communities.

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