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, /PRNewswire/ -- "It's better to be dead than taken hostage," 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 in 2016. But Woodke, a long-term relief and gospel worker in , knew the risks.

Risk wasn't such a big issue in the early years of the ministry of Jeff and Els, his wife, in . They worked on community-development projects, church planting, discipleship, and evangelism. 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 . "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 , when Els answered the phone to hear the words she'd been praying for the past six-an.

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