What if fleeing was your only option? Millions of Christians across the world today face that stark reality, many specifically because of persecution. November marks the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church and this year Release International’s IDOP resources focus on the issue of displacement. On today’s podcast, Release International workers Kenneth and James talk about some of the places where Christians have been forced to flee, how the issue of displacement is covered in the New Testament, and how churches and individuals can participate in the International Day of Prayer this November.For more information on IDOP and to view our resources, head to: www.releaseinternational.org/idop Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Release International's Voice Podcast

Elect exiles

How did you come to faith in Jesus, and how are you serving him today? At Release International we are privileged to work with partners from many different countries and it is always encouraging to hear their stories.One of those partners, Jamal Liddawi, has a miraculous story to share. 30 years ago God started to work dramatically in Jamal’s life, and since he committed to following Jesus, Jamal has been involved in various types of Christian work. Today he leads Release International’s partner ministry, Hand of Help, which serves displaced Christians in Iraq. Listen in as Jamal shares his own journey of faith, the background to the flight of Christians in Iraq, and how he came to be involved in supporting them.Jamal will be speaking more about this work at our online events at the start of November. For more details about those, and to register for a ticket visit our website: www.releaseinternational.org/jamal  Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Jamal: From building palaces to strengthening faith

How did you come to faith in Jesus, and how are you serving him today? At Release International we are privileged to work with partners from many different countries and it is always encouraging to hear their stories.One of those partners, Jamal Liddawi, has a miraculous story to share. 30 years ago God started to work dramatically in Jamal’s life, and since he committed to following Jesus, Jamal has been involved in various types of Christian work. Today he leads Release International’s partner ministry, Hand of Help, which serves displaced Christians in Iraq. Listen in as Jamal shares his own journey of faith, the background to the flight of Christians in Iraq, and how he came to be involved in supporting them.Jamal will be speaking more about this work at our online events at the start of November. For more details about those, and to register for a ticket visit our website: bit.ly/JamalSpeakerTourSupport the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Have you ever been challenged by a difficult question about your faith? Have you ever wondered how persecuted Christians who suffer specifically because of their faith can sustain the same kinds of objections?On today’s podcast, Dr Andy Bannister - apologist, evangelist and director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity, discusses how his own interest in apologetics and evangelism developed. He explains how to deal with the difficult questions of suffering and evil, how persecuted Christians can help us grow in faith, and why we must be honest about the differences between Christianity and Islam.Andy is an experienced and well-travelled speaker and writer who is used to dealing with the difficult questions raised by Christians, atheists and people of other faiths.For resources and more details about Andy Bannister and Solas you can visit the Solas website at www.solas-cpc.orgSupport the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Dr Andy Bannister: Faith recalibration

Have you ever been challenged by a difficult question about your faith? Have you ever wondered how persecuted Christians who suffer specifically because of their faith can sustain the same kinds of objections?On today’s podcast, Dr Andy Bannister - apologist, evangelist and director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity, discusses how his own interest in apologetics and evangelism developed. He explains how to deal with the difficult questions of suffering and evil, how persecuted Christians can help us grow in faith, and why we must be honest about the differences between Christianity and Islam.Andy is an experienced and well-travelled speaker and writer who is used to dealing with the difficult questions raised by Christians, atheists and people of other faiths.For resources and more details about Andy Bannister and Solas you can visit the Solas website at www.solas-cpc.org) [This last sentence should be at the end of the Interlude in the audio but at the end of the Intro in the show notes on Buzzsprout.Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Jesus warned his disciples, ‘If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.’ Throughout history persecution has taken many different forms and come from a variety of sources. At this particular moment in time, in many parts of the world the growth of radicalised Islam is one pressing threat against God’s people.On today’s podcast we talk to Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali former Bishop of Rochester and President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue. Bishop Michael has written several books on the theme of Christianity’s interface with Islam, and he speaks regularly at conferences on the subject.Listen in as we discuss his own background in Islamic culture, his thoughts on the recent growth of radical Islam, the current situation for Christians in Pakistan, and the concerning new wave of violence against Christians in parts of Africa.Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Faith in the face of extremism

Whilst no system of government is perfect, we can be thankful for the political and religious freedoms we currently enjoy in the United Kingdom. And we can be thankful for elected representatives who are willing to use their voice to speak up for justice and ensure that issues like religious persecution are heard about and debated.On today’s podcast, guest host Kenneth speaks to Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief at Westminster. Listen in as they talk about what motivated Jim to get involved in politics, his concern for religious freedom in the world today, and the progress of implementing the recommendations outlined in the Bishop of Truro’s important 2019 report on the global persecution of Christians. Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Jim Shannon MP: Servant with a purpose

Mentioning the country of North Korea can provoke both intrigue and horror in our minds. So much of what goes on there is hidden from us. But we know enough to understand that it is a place of extreme repression and suffering, especially for Christians. And yet in this unlikely place there is an unquenchable thirst for the word of God and the church is growing.On today’s podcast hear from Release International partner Pastor Eric Foley from Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Listen in as we talk about some of the myths surrounding Christian practice in North Korea, the current controversy over Bible distribution into the country, the creative ways in which this is being countered, and the remarkable enduring faith of our Christian family. Prepare to have some of your current conceptions stretched and challenged.Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

North Korea: ‘Safe’ is a relative term

Over 20 million people in the UK regularly give their time as volunteers in various sectors and organisations. Release International benefits hugely from the contributions of our team of dedicated volunteers. Whether it’s speaking in churches, organising a prayer group, fundraising or sharing information, volunteering is one key way to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters.Hear from Release International’s volunteer co-ordinator Andrew Wilmshurst, and Release volunteers Annette, Simon and Suzanne, share about their passion and life-shaping experiences as volunteers with Release.Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

What does God want me to do now?

Last year on the podcast we spoke to Release International partner Hassan John about the problems of violence and unrest in West Africa. On today’s podcast we are going to take a closer look at one specific country in that region: Burkina Faso. You may not know much about Burkina Faso, but recently the actions of violent militant groups have made it a very difficult place for Christians to live. Our brothers and sisters there are being targeted, displaced and killed because of their Christian faith.We will hear from Susanna who works for Release International’s sister ministry, Voice of the Martyrs, Poland. We’ll talk about the general situation in Burkina Faso, some specific ways in which Christians have been impacted, and the projects that Release International is helping to fund that bring practical help to families and communities.Support the show (http://www.releaseinternational.org/podcast)

Burkina Faso: One million displaced

Episodes include interviews with our international partners, panel discussions with our staff, book reviews and other compelling material which will help you to hear the voice of our persecuted brothers and sisters.

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Release International's Voice Podcast

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