Release International's Voice Podcast

When preparing for a long car journey, you might factor in the possibility of a breakdown, but few of us would anticipate the possibility of being kidnapped. However, for Christians living in north and central Nigeria that possibility is an increasing risk, not least for Christian pastors. 

In October 2020, while travelling to a conference, Nigerian pastor Rev Polycarp Zongo was kidnapped by the terrorist group Islamic State West Af...

Visiting Release mission partners, sharing fellowship with them, and hearing their stories first hand is a really important part of Release International’s ministry. It enables us to share the voice of persecuted Christians with the church in the UK with real depth and integrity. 

On today’s podcast Release International’s CEO, Paul Robinson who recently visited one of our ministry partners in East Africa, speaks about his experienc...

At Release International we are always inspired by the creative thinking and passionate commitment of our supporters. So often people will come forward with great ideas about how to raise awareness, prayer and funds to support our persecuted brothers and sisters. And it is our privilege to be able to support those initiatives wherever we can.

On today’s podcast we speak to Release International supporter Rev Robert de Berry. This su...

After telling his disciples that he was sending them out as sheep among wolves, Jesus challenged them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. In the face of persecution Christians are not meant to be simply passive. With the wisdom that God gives, we can think strategically about how best to respond to persecution both after and before it happens. 

On today’s podcast we speak to Release International partner Asif from Mordecai...

2021 was another year for the history books. With the pandemic continuing to impact our daily lives, it is important to remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are also impacted – by the pandemic, but also by persecution. It is a sad reality that this coming year, Christians across the world will continue to face violent opposition because of their faith. 

Release workers Kenneth and Tom, who have both helped to write...

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year? A conversation most of us are having now with our friends and colleagues. But what if the menu for Christmas dinner and the itinerary for seeing your family were not your only concerns? 

Hear from Release International partner Rev Waseem who lives and works in Pakistan, and who helps the marginalised Christian minority in that country. Discover what Christmas looks like for those reje...

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 be...

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 ...

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 d...

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...

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 P...

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 F...

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-ord...

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 b...

In his well-known words at the end of Matthew 28 Jesus tells his disciples to go and make disciples. Clearly discipleship is going to be central in the Kingdom of God. But what is it - and how are we to understand discipleship in a culture which so highly values the idea of charting your own individual course in the world?

Today’s podcast features Release workers Kenneth and Stephen. Hear them discuss Release International’s new Bib...

What do you know about Iran? It is an Islamic Republic with strict religious laws. It is a country which is often in the news because of confrontation with the West. But it is also a place where God is working, and where His church is growing. 

Today’s podcast features Release International partner Lazarus Yeghnazar from 222 Ministries. Hear him talk about the surprising growth of the church in Iran and among the Farsi speaking worl...

2020 was a year like no other and one that many of us would probably rather forget. The pandemic continues to be at the forefront of our nation’s news coverage but it is not the only story in 2021. This year Christians across the world will continue to face persecution. From Africa to South East Asia our brothers and sisters in Christ will be violently opposed because of their faith and their stories must also hold our attention. 

O...

Earlier this year on the podcast we spoke to Release International’s associate ministry worker Petr Jasek. We talked about his experience of spending 445 days in a Sudanese prison and the impact this had on his faith. We also chatted about the launch of his book Imprisoned with Isis which tells his story. Now Release International is excited to be working with a London based theatre company to produce and tour a new dynamic product...

Stephen is well known as the first Christian martyr. His story is recorded in the New Testament in Acts chapters 6&7. But why exactly did Stephen die, and what does it mean to be a Christian martyr?

On today’s podcast host Sarah is talking to Release workers Kenneth and James. They'll be discussing the story of Stephen in detail and thinking about how it can help us relate to our brothers and sisters across the world today w...