However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me— the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

VOM’s Dr. Jason Peters appeared this week as a guest on The Dr. Meg Meeker Show on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk. The discussion involved VOM’s book project, I Am N, and how Christians facing Islamic extremism are serving Christ boldly in hostile and restricted nations around the world. Here is part 2 of their discussion:

What does it mean to be an I Am N Christian in the Middle East right now? How should their stories inspire us as Western Christians? I have had the privilege of meeting and hearing the incredible stories of some of these sisters and brothers during recent visits to Iraq and neighboring countries where The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is serving them in their time of great need. There are six themes that emerge from the testimonies of these Christians that every Christian can benefit from. These are themes that we have witnessed repeatedly in hundreds of interviews with persecuted Christians.

Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh were bold evangelists in Iran, sharing their faith and distributing Bibles in that Islamic nation.

ISIS wasn’t on my radar screen until the day in June 2014 when the violent Islamist group entered Mosul, Iraq. I’d been closely following the devastation caused by Islamist groups in Syria, but I never dreamed it would overflow into Iraq, driving thousands of Christians out of Mosul and eventually many more out of the Nineveh Plains.

VOM’s Dr. Jason Peters recently shared stories of Christians facing Islamic extremists with Andrew Hess of ChurchLeader’s Podcast.

Telling inspiring stories of our persecuted family has always been at heart of VOM's ministry. We are thankful for wonderful ministry partners who come alongside to help us tell those stories in various forms—books, songs, films—to impact and inspire more Christians with the courage of our persecuted family and the faithfulness of God.

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.