The gospel worker from China was stunned by how many biblical resources were available to Christians in America. He created a plan to scan one Bible commentary onto CDs that could be carried back into China and copied for underground Christians there. But he needed help. He reached out to find a more technically-capable person to help with the process—and an international ministry was birthed! Ken Bitgood was the young man recruited to help with that scanning project. Today he and Digital Bible Society are distributing Scripture resources in more than 4,500 languages! When Ken first became a follower of Jesus, he was encouraged to live in God’s Word. He’ll tell how he did that (with the help of a car stereo) and how it birthed in him a passion to see people of all nations, tribes, and tongues access the riches of the Bible and Christian resources to encourage and edify the Body of Christ around the world. In their 25th year of ministry, the Digital Bible Society is working alongside more than 400 organizations to distribute resources, free and free to copy, in over 6,000 languages. Ken will share a story of a man from Beijing he met at a conference, who pointed to the DBS resources and said, “This is what put me in jail!” You’ll hear more of Ken’s heart to see laborers in the harvest fields as he shares his belief that every language should have God’s Word translated for them in his lifetime. Visit the Bible Access List to learn more about where there is a shortage of Bibles and places that are restricted from having God’s Word. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, China, and Iran, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.
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A pastor and his family remain faithful to Christ despite persecution from radicals and police. When Bhaskar placed his trust in Christ, he immediately started witnessing in the villages around his hometown in West India. He was attacked seven times for the sake of his faith, including once when he was brutally attacked by Hindu radicals before being sent to jail for six months. In October 2025, the police came to Bhaskar’s home and found several copies of the New Testament. They beat him until he was unconscious before taking him into custody and jailing him for two days.
Read MoreA young Christian has been rejected by his family for his faith in Christ. Oya, 22, thought that his parents would be happy or at least interested when he told them about his decision to trust in Jesus Christ and be baptized. Instead, they became angry, scolding him and warning him that, if he would not renounce Jesus, they would call the police to arrest him and put him in jail. Later, they told him he was no longer their son. Oya is deeply troubled by this situation and does not know where to go.
Read MoreA court has dismissed cases against 10 Algerian Christians, each of which could have carried significant jail time. “All 10 believers were sitting in their homes waiting for the verdict because they were not allowed inside the courts,” said a front-line worker. Later, the Christians learned that they would instead have to pay a significant fine amounting to around $750 each. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lord, our God, for answering our prayers and being favorable to the prayers of all his saints,” said the worker.
Read MoreOn September 11, 2012, Islamist fighters attacked a United States diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans were killed in that attack. Just a few months later, Ronnie and Anita Smith, a young American couple, moved to Benghazi with their infant son. Their goal was to live out their faith in Christ and have opportunities to introduce Libyan people to Christ. “We wanted to live our lives out in a place that didn’t know Jesus,” Anita Smith says. Anita acknowledges that there was fear in moving to a dangerous place, especially soon after a deadly attack on Americans. But Anita says God gave both her and Ronnie peace about residing in Libya to further God’s Kingdom. Days after Ronnie’s death in December of 2013, Anita was on national TV in the United States (CNN and CBS This Morning) and on Arabic-language TV all over the Middle East, forgiving her husband’s killers and expressing her love for the Libyan people. Listen as Anita recalls the day she learned her husband had been martyred and how she received comfort from the Lord through her family, church, and Christian friends—the Body of Christ in action. Ronnie Smith taught chemistry to high school students at the Benghazi International School and was admired for his knowledge and chemistry skill, but even more for his warm personality and love for his students. Anita shares how their Libyan neighbors looked out for them and welcomed them into their families, spending time together, drinking tea, and talking about life and faith. When she hears of Libyans who started following Christ after hearing the testimony of her and Ronnie, it’s a powerful reminder of how Christ is using their sacrifice. Listen also as she shares how we can pray for the widows of persecuted Christian martyrs all over the world today. Anita was one of the four amazing women who shared their stories of persecution and God’s faithfulness during the Hearts of Fire Virtual Event. You can sign up to receive prayer requests from persecuted Christians by email each week at www.iCommitToPray.com, including this request for Christians sentenced to prison in Libya. The Hearts of Fire Virtual Event is also available in the free VOM App for your smartphone or tablet, which also helps you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, China, and Iran. The app also gives you free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.
Read MoreIn early 2026, local Yemeni authorities arrested more than 50 Christians, including pastors and church leaders, who remain in jail without charges. Family members were able to contact one of the imprisoned Christians, a pastor named Jon who was featured in VOM’s August 2023 magazine. Pastor Jon had been incarcerated several years earlier, and his life was threatened behind bars. This time he initially faced some health issues, but a front-line worker reported that his health has improved.
Read MoreTwo women have been abandoned by their families for their faith in Christ. Aziza is 17 years old and was kicked out of her home for placing her trust in Christ. A church allowed her to stay in their building for six months while she finished high school and helped her receive counseling. Aziza now hopes to attend college in the fall. Jibek, who is in her late 60s, was also opposed by her family when she became a Christian.
Read MoreA Burmese teen asks for prayer as she faces opposition from her Buddhist family members. Khin Myaut Noe, 16, became a Christian during childhood through the witness of her Christian mother despite her father’s strong Buddhist family connections. She lives with her father and two aunts and has helped care for her father since he became paralyzed two years ago. Her aunts strongly oppose Christianity and have forbidden her to attend worship services or participate in Christian activities.
Read MoreRich Griffith, Chief Development Officer for Global Action, served as a pastor and played seven seasons in the NFL before the Lord led him to serve pastors and Christian leaders around the world, including many in restricted nations and hostile areas. Rich has had many exciting career highlights, but his favorite is watching these Christian leaders complete their training. “To me, the most incredible thing I’ve experienced is a graduation.” Rich says, “The tears in their eyes… because they felt a calling of God.” Rich shares his joy at being able to provide tools and knowledge to new pastors in places like India and Cuba and will share more about the curriculum and how the training is tailored to impact each individual culture. The church in these nations is growing, but there is a great need for more pastors to shepherd that growing flock. You’ll also hear how Rich sensed God’s call to work for Global Action and how the Lord challenged him on a trip to Cuba, where he saw how persecuted Christians trust the Lord despite their circumstances. One book that God used to challenge Rich was I Am N, a book about persecuted Christians facing Islamic extremists that was produced by The Voice of the Martyrs. Pray for the Lord to raise up more shepherds who will lead Christ’s sheep, especially in restricted nations and hostile areas. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, China, and Iran, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.
Read MoreA Libyan court will soon consider appeals for 10 Christians sentenced to prison for three to five years. The group has been imprisoned since April 2025 after being found guilty of “insulting Islam,” “insulting religious sanctities and rituals using the internet” and other charges for living out their Christian faith. “Please stand with us in prayer for God’s mercy, strength for the brothers and a just outcome,” said a front-line worker.
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