Learning From Persecuted Christians: “Is Jesus for the tough places?”

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The Voice of the Martyrs

Christianity, Martyr, Vom, Persecution, Gospel, Pastor, Persecutedchurch, Apologetics, Islam, Christian, Church, Missions, Missionaries, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 15 March 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Nik and Ruth Ripken went to Africa as missionaries. They experienced great works of God, but also great hardship and loss. Malaria almost killed them. Four Christian friends in Somalia were killed in one day. Their 16-year-old son died suddenly.

Out of their wrestling with grief and loss God gave them a new mission: meet with persecuted Christians all over the world and learn from them. For Nik, it was a very personal quest.

“I don’t know if Jesus is trustworthy anymore. Somali believers are dead. Our son is dead. Our dreams are dead. And we want to know, Is Jesus for the tough places?”

Out of their quest Nik Ripken Ministries was born. Nik shared the lessons persecuted Christians had taught him in a book, The Insanity of God. The book eventually became a film, released shortly after this interview was recorded.

Today, Nik and Ruth host their own podcast, Witness & Persecution, and have recently launched a video-based group study, Insanity Unleashed.

Listen as Nik and Ruth share their stories of God calling them to missions from very different backgrounds, and the hardship and loss they experienced on the field in Africa as missionaries.

The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in Syria, North Korea, Iran, China and other nations throughout the year, as well as giving free access to e-books, audio books, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

Transcript

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0:00.0	When Nick Ripkin wants to see the gospel spread in dangerous places around the world,
0:05.0	he doesn't go in as an expert, ready to lead the few Christians already there.
0:10.8	Instead, he goes as a student ready to learn.
0:15.7	We can't change being sheep among wolves, but we don't have to be stupid sheep.
0:19.0	We went to the sheep that were wise,
0:22.3	sitting at their feet humbly as a westerner. They very seldom experienced that,
0:29.0	and them being the Paul and us being the Timothy's, and to know that we were going to use
0:36.6	what they had learned in persecution to strengthen other parts of the body of Christ,
0:40.3	they would look at us in joy and sobbing and saying, then our persecution is worth it.
0:46.3	Jesus never promised his followers an easy path. In fact, he told his disciples that the world would hate them.
0:55.7	He sent them out as sheep among wolves. Jesus' words came true in the life of the apostles,
1:01.5	and they're still coming true today in the lives of his followers around the world.
1:05.8	Join host Todd Nettleton as we hear their inspiring stories and learn how we can help.
1:10.5	Right now on the Voice of the Martyrs
1:12.1	Radio network. Welcome again to the Voice of the Martyrs Radio. My name is Todd Nettleton. We're going to look back this
1:18.2	week on one of the fantastic interviews that we have had on Voice of the Martyrs radio. I had the chance
1:24.1	several years ago to sit down with Nick and Ruth Ripkin.
1:28.0	Nick is the author of a book called The Insanity of God.
1:31.4	And when we sat down together, it was just about to be released as a movie.
1:37.0	The Insanity of God, movie.
1:39.7	And so we'll talk a little bit about the movie in this conversation, but we'll also talk about
1:44.5	Nick and Ruth and their life in gospel service, their life in missions, and how God led them
	...

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