Thanks to TWR friends, the Mission has experienced a wonderful outpouring of God’s blessing in answer to prayer regarding the funding crisis TWR faced in Europe. TWR has seen the concern its donors have for these important broadcasts that touch thousands of lives daily—not only in Europe, but in Central Asia and the Middle East as well.
Last summer, TWR mailed two letters that detailed the crisis: a longtime and valued partner organization decided to redirect $1.5 million in funds to its local ministries, leaving TWR to seek $1,050,000 in funds to prevent major loss of broadcast production and airtime. TWR is overjoyed to report that over $403,000 has been raised to date.
Several hours of airtime were cancelled where contractually possible to save as much money as possible. A portion of the received funds were distributed to the following major language production areas during the last few months of 2007 (remaining funds will be used in 2008):
- In Eastern Europe, funds went toward production of a Bosnian program for oral communicators, Project Hannah’s Women of Hope in Slovak, Roma (Gypsy) broadcasts in Hungarian and of airing a local pastor’s sermons on a Croatian FM station.
- In Central Asia, programming in four languages continued, as well as the MemCare by Radio broadcast in English for expatriate missionaries in the region.
- In the Middle East, broadcasts in Arabic, Iraqi Arabic, Assyrian and Hebrew continue to make an impact in the region. Programming such as The Way (Iraq), Kol Ha’Yeshua (Israel) and Song of Hope (Sudan) are leading people to Christ and helping them to mature in their faith.
As a result of your faithfulness in giving, listeners in the aforementioned countries and surrounding areas can continue to hear TWR’s programs in their language. Here are just a few of the people God is transforming through TWR’s broadcasts:
- “The program Questions of Faith gives me new knowledge about the history of Christianity, about the positive influence of Christianity on society and its morals. On one of the programs, you discussed the foundations of our faith, how to grow in our faith and about the blessings which our faith brings. This is a very important topic for me.” –A listener in Central Asia
- “Thanks to your broadcast, I definitely put my faith in the Lord; in fact, you are the door that God has opened to know Christ as my personal Redeemer. I would like to read gospel literature; the story about Saul’s conversion has touched my soul deeply—how Jesus changed him completely! I would like to learn more about Jesus and to hear His voice.” –A listener in Iraq
- “Since I started listening to your radio program, my life has changed dramatically and I started getting to know Jesus Christ more. Please accept me as a friend, and I want to learn more from you.” –A listener in Sudan
- “Some time has past since the last time I had written to you. I was traveling, but I had my radio always with me and could hear you everywhere. For a short while I was in Herzegovina. I brought many of your cassettes and CDs and distributed them there. I am filled with joy that these people now also can listen to your message.” –A listener in Croatia
Prayer Points:
- Pray for the protection of producers recording programs in countries hostile to the gospel.
- Pray that many more listeners will tune in to these broadcasts and commit their lives to Christ.
- Continue to pray that funding will be available throughout 2008 and into 2009 to sustain these broadcasts.
- Pray for TWR-Europe as it continues to face significant challenges in 2008 due to the continued devaluation of the American dollar.