BARTLESVILLE, Okla., May 22, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- "It's better to be dead than taken hostage,"
Jeff Woodke told The Voice of the
Martyrs' Radio Host Todd Nettleton.
When Jeff first said those words, he didn't know he would be
taken hostage from his home in Niger in 2016. But Woodke, a long-term relief
and gospel worker in Africa, knew
the risks.
Risk wasn't such a big issue in the early years of the ministry
of Jeff and Els, his wife, in Niger. They worked on community-development
projects, church planting, discipleship, and evangelism.
Niger was an open country with
churches throughout. Christian persecution there usually came from
family members or neighbors who opposed following Jesus. However,
the rise of Salafist Islam changed Niger—and increased the
risk.
Then one day a truck pulled up to the Woodke's home. Two guards
were shot and killed, Jeff was badly beaten and forced into a
truck. As they drove away, Jeff didn't know who his captors were or
how long his captivity might last. During his six and a half years
as a hostage, Jeff was transferred into the custody of multiple
terror groups, beaten and mistreated.
The Woodkes share their dramatic story and how their faith
carried them through with Nettleton in a three-part series on The
Voice of the Martyrs Radio.
"The moment I heard Jeff was kidnapped, I cried out to God,"
said Els.
Shortly after Jeff's abduction, Els felt God say to her, "love
the enemy." She obeyed and never let bitterness or anger toward the
terrorists take root in her heart.
It was 4 a.m., when Els answered
the phone to hear the words she'd been praying for the past
six-and-a-half years: "Jeff has been recovered!"
Jeff spent several days in medical care to stabilize his health
before he could return to the US. One of the first things he asked
for was a Bible.
In the final episode of the series, Els speaks to the people who
prayed for Jeff's release and for her, which strengthened her faith
during his captivity.
About The Voice of the Martyrs
Founded in 1967 by
Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, The
Voice of the Martyrs is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions
organization serving persecuted Christians in the world's most
difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. For more
information, visit VOM.org.
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SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs