One of the great privileges of my life is interviewing Christians who have faced persecution. To be able to sit down with these brothers and sisters, drink tea and simply ask questions to explore their faith and their relationship with Jesus is a source of great joy to me, as well as a spur to my own faith and walk with Christ.

When I joined a missions organization in 2003 intending to go overseas as a 24-year-old, people didn’t understand. They asked me why. They told me there were plenty of people who needed help in the U.S. They wanted to know why I was leaving my job at the newspaper.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the home of the fastest-growing church in the world (per Operation World). Thousands of Muslims there are choosing to follow Christ.

Jesus never intended for us to suffer alone. We may not be able to cross oceans or deserts and sit in lonely cells with colleagues, but we can traverse that distance spiritually and bear the burdens of our brothers in prayer. Knowing that they do not agonize alone empowers followers of Jesus under duress to bear unimaginable suffering. Collaborative suffering is bearable suffering.

iCommitToPray // //

VOM has sister ministries all over the world, which share the stories of our persecuted family with Christians in their nations. VOM received this letter from a prisoner in the Ukraine who receives the VOM newsletter translated for his country. Even in prison, this brother is sharing Christ. He prays that believers like us will learn to love and serve Muslims.

If a short child is baptized but no one can see it, is she still credited with obeying Jesus?

Dr. Jason Peters, VOM's associate vice president of connection, was recently featured on CBN News talking about VOM's new book, I Am N.