A few weeks ago, Merv Knight walked into my office door. Merv is a dear elder brother of mine, in his 80’s now, who lives in Australia. Merv Knight has served our persecuted brothers and sisters for more than 40 years. Perhaps his most important contribution to the work of serving the persecuted was summed up in the recent words of one of VOM’s executives: “Merv Knight has served as a spiritual advisor to us all.”

Volunteering at The Voice of the Martyrs is unlike any other volunteer opportunity. Not only have I experienced it, but I have heard countless people relay their amazement in seeing God’s hand so clearly displayed in one place.

One of the ways that VOM sometimes encourages American Christians to support our brothers and sisters facing persecution is by asking our government leaders to speak out and act on their behalf. These efforts go back even to VOM’s founder, Richard Wurmbrand, who testified before a Senate committee and even took off his shirt in the hearing to show the deep torture scars on his body.

Next week, my wife, Peggy, and I will be traveling to spend Christmas with our children and grandchildren. We’re already looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior with our family. We love the looks of joyful anticipation on the faces of our grandkids on Christmas morning. Yes, there will be gifts!

VOM held 40 regional conferences in 2014, in every corner of the United States. Speakers from many different restricted and hostile nations have shared their stories, as well as VOM workers sharing the stories of persecuted believers they have met and VOM projects that have assisted these believers.

Tens of thousands of Christians have been displaced by the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq. Many families were forced out of their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

“Discipleship of one’s household isn’t only for Christians in persecuted and restricted nations. It isn’t only for pastors, youth pastors, and elders…it’s for the whole body of Christ.” — Pastor Eric Foley, VOM’s project partner for North Korea

It gets very cold in northern Iraq, and winter is coming. Christian refugees from Mosul need our help now.