Contact: Glenn Penner or Floyd Brobbel, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, 905-670-9721, thevoice@persecution.net 

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Dec. 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Board of Directors of The Voice of The Martyrs Canada, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for persecuted Christians around the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Corey Odden to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Corey Odden joins VOM-Canada after having served as Vice-President of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Prior to that, Mr. Odden served for 10 years as the Chief Financial Officer with The Voice of the Martyrs in the United States and had the opportunity to travel worldwide in service to the persecuted church.

Mr. Odden will officially assume the role of C.E.O. from Rev. Glenn Penner on January 4, 2010. Rev. Penner, who has been battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia since 2002, will assume a more specialized role that will enable him to continue to serve the persecuted church more in line with his health limitations.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rev. Peter Jardine, is confident of the Lord's provision during this time of transition. "Glenn Penner took the mission to a level of excellence. I am profoundly thankful that Glenn will continue his great work on the theology of persecution and remain as an invaluable resource to the leadership. I cannot thank God enough for bringing to us Corey Odden, who is uniquely qualified to step into the C.E.O.'s office."

In anticipation of joining the team and VOM-Canada, Mr. Odden stated, "I am deeply grateful for the testimony of my friends, the late Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, and their son, Mihai, who stirred the hearts of Klaas and Nellie Brobbel to establish VOM's mission in Canada nearly 40 years ago. In addition, Glenn Penner has assembled a highly qualified and dedicated team. It is an honour to serve alongside the staff and volunteers as we raise the voice of such Christians who would otherwise be forgotten."

About The Voice of the Martyrs:
The Voice of the Martyrs, which has multiple missions around the world, was founded by Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor who was imprisoned and tortured for 14 years for professing his faith. The Voice of the Martyrs Canada is a registered non-profit charitable organization which was founded in 1971.

For more information on VOM-Canada, visit www.persecution.net or contact thevoice@persecution.net.