"Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession."

Our speaker from India began by comparing India to the U.S. "You think India is a democracy, just like here," he said. "So when you hear about persecution, you think, 'How can this happen?' We are asking that question too. How can this happen?"

We cannot imagine the hardship in North Korea, yet our brother who works with North Koreans tells us that the church there is growing.

Pastor Hormoz is sharing about a television ministry to Iran. The gospel is going out in satellite waves and is reaching fertile hearts in Iran.

The VOM National Mission Conference isn't just for adults. Also taking place is an exciting time for children ages 5-12: Kids of Courage. The kid's conference includes special times for the speakers to meet with the children, and for the children to ask questions and get to know about the persecuted church and what it means to follow Christ.

A brother from Iran is sharing about the nation of Iran and the way that God is working there. Seventy percent of Iranians are age 30 and younger, and there is a great hunger for the gospel. The church there has grown greatly, in spite of intense persecution.

Michael Wurmbrand, the son of VOM founders Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, continues the legacy of his parents by working with VOM to support Christians in former Communist countries of Europe. It was wonderful to hear him and be reminded of the legacy of the Wurmbrands that VOM carries forward. Next year it will be 40 years since the US office of VOM was opened by the Wurmbrands.

One of VOM's partners just shared about Bibles Unbound, the opportunity for American Christians to send Bibles directly into restricted nations.

We're already off to a great start this morning with a wonderful time of worship led by Bill Drake and a warm welcome from Dr. Everett Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. (Speaking of OWU, if you haven't been here, you should see the campus. It is beautiful!)