Open Doors Podcast
by Open Doors Australia & New Zealand
On The Whole Story, we go beneath the surface. We delve beyond the headlines, breaking through the noise to bring our listeners the truth - a raw, honest, and gripping insight into discipleship in the most dangerous places in the world to follow Jesus. Our mission is to bring forth the most thought-provoking voices from the global church, sharing secrets from corners of the world our listeners have only ever heard about. To find out more about Open Doors you can visit opendoors.org.au or opendoors.org.nzAnd don’t forget to rate, review and share this podcast.
Episodes
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World Watch List: Egypt
Tracing the blood-stained walls of a church, standing on tiles black with the echoes of an explosion, walking in the footsteps of a suicide bomber, and finding a pocket of heaven atop a mountain of garbage. Join Joyce as she reflects with Joel and Elly on their trip to Egypt, the lasting impact...
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World Watch List: Central Asia
Imagine a place where every single person in your community is on high alert, watching and waiting for you to make a single misstep that will reveal something that could put your life in danger: you are a Christian. Join Joyce and Sarah as they explore the pressure of persecution across the…
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World Watch List: Colombia
Colombia might not be one of the first countries you think of when you think of the persecution of Christians, yet it consistently appears in the World Watch List top 50. What does persecution look like in a country where the overwhelming majority call themselves Christians? How do cartels and...
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Persecution & Victory In Sub-Saharan Africa
Ever wondered what it looks like to serve the persecuted and strengthen the Church? How do we find the most persecuted? What does it look like to balance addressing immediate needs with longterm ones? How could suffering lead to victory? Join Anna and special guest, Jo Newhouse, from our...
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Episode 31 | World Watch List: Niger
In Niger, Christians are roughly one in every few hundred people – a small remnant living under the pressure of extremist violence and deep poverty. In this episode, Nathan and Joel explore what persecution looks like in Niger today and share the story of a mother who fled with her children when...
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Episode 30 | World Watch List: Central African Republic
Episode 30 | World Watch List: Central African Republic by Open Doors Australia & New Zealand
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Episode 29 | World Watch List: Cuba
In the heart of Africa sits the Central African Republic, a country where around 75% of the population identify as Christian. So, how does a place like this end up as one of the most dangerous places on the planet to follow Jesus? Join Nathan and Steve as they share what persecution looks like…
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Episode 28 | World Watch List: Uzbekistan
Ever wondered how a Christian in Uzbekistan might experience persecution for their faith? Join Nathan and Anna as we explore this landlocked country in Central Asia where only 1% of the population knows and follows Jesus. Hear what "squeeze" persecution looks like in practice for believers in...
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Episode 27 | World Watch List: Bangladesh
"They tried to break me, but Jesus rebuilt me." In this episode, join Nathan and Steve as they explore what it's like to be a Christian in Bangladesh against a backdrop of political turmoil, riots that led to the resignation of a Prime Minister, and increasingly violent attacks against believers....
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Episode 26 | World Watch List: Sudan
Join Joyce and Steve in this episode, as we unpack Christian persecution in Sudan, a country navigating new waves of conflict and political unrest. Discover how believers are responding with resilience and faith, providing hope and discipleship in the fourth hardest country in the world to be a...
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Episode 25 | World Watch List: Libya
World Watch List: Libya Think sweeping deserts and Mediterranean shores, but behind the beauty lies a story of hidden faith in one of the hardest countries in the world to be a Christian. Join Joyce and Steve as they uncover what it means to follow Jesus in Libya, where believers walk a dangerous...
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Episode 24 | World Watch List: North Korea
Ever wondered what it's like to be a Christian in the most dangerous place in the world? Welcome to North Korea. If you're a Christian in North Korea, your faith could cost you everything; your family, your freedom, and even your life are all at risk once you decide to follow Jesus. Join Anna and...
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Episode 23 | World Watch List: Yemen
Ever wondered how a Christian in Yemen might experience persecution for their faith? Join Joyce and Sarah as we share stories from Yemen, where years of war have left families hungry, displaced, and afraid. Yet even here, Christians quietly serve their neighbours and cling to Jesus in the rubble.
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Episode 22 | World Watch List: Somalia
Ever wondered how a Christian in Somalia might experience persecution for their faith? Join Nathan and Ryan as we discuss what faith looks like in a country where Islam is the only official religion and extremists are bent on enforcing Sharia (Islamic) law. Hear about the extremes believers must…
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Episode 21 | World Watch List: Eritrea
Ever wondered how a Christian in Eritrea might experience persecution for their faith? Join Joyce and Sarah as we explore the challenges facing young Christians in Eritrea, where mandatory military service is used to control believers. Amid detention and extreme pressure, they risk everything to...
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Episode 20 | World Watch List: Nigeria
Nigeria is the most violent country in the world to follow Jesus. On this week's episode, hear directly from the Open Doors' Regional Communications Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Anna, as she speaks to the complexities Nigerian Christians face, what drives the severe persecution, and courageous...
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Episode 19 | World Watch List: Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan make up just 1.8% of the population but face systemic persecution under blasphemy laws, daily discrimination, mob violence, and forced conversions. Join Joyce and Adam, CEO of Open Doors Australia and New Zealand, as they discuss persecution in Pakistan and revisit Brother...
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Episode 18 | World Watch List: the Middle East
Have you ever wondered what life is like for believers in the Middle East? In this special episode, you’ll hear from Leila*, an Open Doors' contact who shares her eye-witness account of Christian persecution in the Middle East: heartbreaking stories of Syrian believers, Christian women fleeing...
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Episode 17 | World Watch List: Afghanistan
Ever wondered how a Christian in Afghanistan might experience persecution for their faith? Join Joyce and Sarah as we explore the hidden Church in Afghanistan: where believers meet in secret, memorise Scripture, and risk their lives for their faith. Discover the courage of women who shine the…
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Episode 16 | World Watch List: India
Ever wondered how a Christian in India might experience persecution for their faith? Join us as we scratch the surface of the vast experience of Christians in India. With ancient ties to the Apostle Thomas, regions of India have a rich history of faith in Jesus. But today, 12 out of the 28 states...
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Episode 15 | World Watch List: Saudi Arabia
Ever wondered how a Christian in Saudi Arabia might experience persecution for their faith? Join Nathan and Anna as we explore the pressure and persecution believers in Saudi Arabia live with. The majority of the Christians in Saudi Arabia are foreign workers who face many abuses of their human...
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Episode 14 | World Watch List: Myanmar
Ever wonder how a Christian in Myanmar might experience persecution for their faith? The people of Myanmar have been suffering through devastating civil conflict and natural disasters, but one trend that has emerged is how Christians have been disproportionately targeted and persecution. Having...
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Episode 13 | World Watch List: Mali
Come with us to Mali, home of the legendary city of Timbuktu with a legacy of trade and learning. But how do Christians hold fast to Christ when the local church gathers is in secret caves, away from prying eyes? Join Steve and Joyce as they explore how churches continue to quietly grow in Mali.
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Episode 12 | World Watch List: China
Ever wondered how a Christian in China might experience persecution for their faith? Join Nathan and Gabriel as we scratch the surface of the pressures Christians in China face. The minority Christian group in China is roughly four times the population of Australia, with a wide variety of...
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Episode 11 | World Watch List: Maldives
Picture turquoise waters and luxury resorts; but behind the postcard lies a reality of quiet courage. Join Joyce and Steve as they explore what persecution looks like for Christians in the Maldives, and how faith survives when it must remain unseen.
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Episode 10 | World Watch List: Iraq
Join us this week for special guest, Bishop Daniel, from Iraq. Bishop Daniel gives us eye witness accounts of what life is like for Iraqi Christians, the specific challenges they face, and why he still chooses to call Iraq home despite the persecution he and his people endure.
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Episode 9 | World Watch List: Syria
Life for Syrian Christians has been tumultuous for years, but the 2024 fall of the Assad regime has made life for Jesus followers more uncertain than ever. Join Nathan and Chris as they discuss real stories of Christian persecution and the danger the Church in Syria faces today.
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Episode 8 | World Watch List #19: Algeria
Join Joyce and Joel this week as they talk about what life is like for Christians and other religious minorities living in Algeria, a country that is 99% Muslim.
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Episode 7 | World Watch List #20
The Open Doors Podcast is back! Join us each week as we count down the top 20 most dangerous countries to be a Christian—beginning with this week's episode: #20 Burkina Faso.
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Episode 6 | Persecution in Pakistan
Persecution in Pakistan: Brother Haroon's Story From surviving a vicious attack by his family to watching in shock as an AK47 miraculously jammed when aimed directly at him—there isn't much persecution that Brother Haroon, a former Muslim Imam, hasn't experienced—and that's just the beginning.
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Episode 5 | Finding Faith in Crisis
Finding Faith in Crisis: Perspectives from the Middle East In this episode, we hear firsthand accounts from a Middle East advocate who just returned from Syria, discussing the impact of rebuilding after the earthquake, the ongoing struggles in Gaza, and the concerning trends affecting Christian...
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Episode 4 | Lessons from Persecuted Christians in Asia
Field Trip Notes: Lessons from Persecuted Christians in Asia Some of our team met persecuted Christians for the first time! The church team of Open Doors ANZ sat down with Jordan to share about some of the persecuted Christians who changed their lives on their latest field trip. In this episode,...
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Episode 3 | Walking With the Persecuted Church in NYC
The Whole Story | Christmas Special How do we stay connected with our persecuted family when we live so far away? Ashley Anderson, Missions Pastor at Church of the City, sits down with Jordan to share how she walks with the persecuted church despite living in a very different context. Ashley…
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Episode 2 | Beauty From Ashes: How God Is Moving In the Most Fragile Nations
Elly and Tim Lloyd share about their adventure in France, Central Asia, and Turkey, and how they saw God’s love and tenderness moving through the global body of Christ.
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Episode 1 | Faith in Israel and Palestine: Living as peacemakers in most contested land on Earth
World Watch List expert, Michael Bosch, shares about his time spent living in Palestine and what he learned from the Jesus-following peacemakers who call The Holy Land home.
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Episode 86: When does data harvesting become persecution?
We hear from two of our local partners in China to talk about the monitoring, tracking, and digital restrictions that are part of everyday life for believers in China.
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Real-life stories from the heart of Africa
Open Doors Africa Specialist, Jo Newhouse, provides a captivating inside look at the transformative work your support has achieved for traumatised victims of persecution in Sub Saharan Africa.
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Episode 84: Behind Closed Borders
A Family's Adventures of Bible Smuggling and Miracles in North Korea and Beyond Jordan sits down with John and Jill Hanna as they share remarkable tales of their travels and Bible smuggling missions into closed countries — Bibles hidden in panels of their camper van — with their toddlers in tow.
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Episode 83: The Bible Coming Alive (OD AU/NZ CEO Adam Holland)
Our new CEO, Adam, sits down with Jordan to chat about the power of the Bible and the increasing challenges that come with covert Bible distribution in restricted regions.
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Easter Special: We're One With Them
The church team share stories from persecuted believers they met on recent field trip to Egypt, Jordan speaks with a persecution expert about sub-Saharan Africa, and we talk about how we can stand One with those who are most persecuted at a time they need us most — Easter.
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What drove the man who drove the Beetle?
Born Andrew van der Bijl in 1955, the late Brother Andrew’s bible smuggling escapades are the stuff of legend. Amongst other things, he was a husband, a father, a missionary and a cultural engineer - turning ISLAM into an acronym - I sincerely love all Muslims. Above all this, Andrew’s faith and...
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Thanks And Impact
Our latest episode of the podcast is dedicated to you! Listen to our hosts, Mike Gore and Jocelyn Goto, as they unpack just some of the impact that you’ve made for the persecuted church all over the world in the last year. Your commitment to pray for and financially support the persecuted church...
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The Hidden Persecution of Christian Women
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Open Doors World Watch Research discovered an alarming trend in gender-specific religious persecution– a hidden epidemic of forced marriage and abuse being experienced by Christian women, targeted for both their faith and gender. In this episode, Jocelyn Goto and...
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The Most Dangerous Countries To Follow Jesus
In this episode, Mike and Joce explore the newly released World Watch List 2022 and shares stories from the most dangerous countries to follow Jesus. Open Doors LIVE is a monthly podcast unpacking stories from the persecuted church that will challenge everything you know about faith, Jesus and…
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What 2021 Taught Us ft. Mark Sayers, Taya Gaukrodger, Darlene Zschech and Joel Cave.
In the year that has been, as we’ve wrestled through the continuing pandemic, lockdown, vaccines, issues in government, the return of the Taliban, the changes within our churches, what does it look like to be real in our faith, to trust God, and to share the gospel with those around us? In this...
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How To Be A Courageously Ordinary Christian
As we navigate the end of lockdown, home-schooling and a new world full of debates around vaccines and division even within the Church, how do we stand in the face of culture and shine for Jesus? In today’s episode, Mike and Joce share three radical stories from the persecuted church and unpack…
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Two Months After The Taliban
As international attention dwindles after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, life for local believers looks dire and more dangerous than before as they adjust to their new leaders. In this episode join Mike Gore and Jocelyn Goto as they discuss what’s been happening in Afghanistan, why…
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An Interview With A Bible Smuggler
Join Mike Gore for an interview with Dean Keaney, founder of Open Doors Australia, who played a critical role in one of the most successful smuggles of the 20th century. As the radioman for ‘Project Pearl’, Dean sent an encrypted message to thousands of Chinese believers lying in wait on a…
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3 Lessons For Times of Suffering
In this episode join Mike Gore as he shares three lessons for times of suffering. Unpack lessons from the persecuted church about grief, love, suffering and how to have resilience and faith in the face of it all. This is the podcast episode you need to hear right now. Open Doors LIVE is a monthly...
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Do You Know Of Jesus Or Know Him?
Do You Know Of Jesus Or Know Him? by Open Doors Australia & New Zealand
About this show
On The Whole Story, we go beneath the surface. We delve beyond the headlines, breaking through the noise to bring our listeners the truth - a raw, honest, and gripping insight into discipleship in the most dangerous places in the world to follow Jesus. Our mission is to bring forth the most thought-provoking voices from the global church, sharing secrets from corners of the world our listeners have only ever heard about. To find out more about Open Doors you can visit opendoors.org.au or opendoors.org.nzAnd don’t forget to rate, review and share this podcast.
Hosted by
Open Doors Australia & New Zealand
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