Due to persecution of believers, the North Korean church went underground in 1955. It then became apparent that radio is the most powerful way to reach these thousands of believers, all who are in desperate need of sound biblical teaching.
Because FM and AM coverage is limited, broadcasts via shortwave are much more effective. But no radios or cell phones are available to purchase in North Korean markets. That’s why TWR-Korea began partnering with another Christian organization to distribute radios to believers in 2000. Initially, the radios were delivered to North Koreans living in China, but in 2003, distribution began within the country as well. This has since become the biggest project for TWR-Korea along with the production of its Korean programs.
Information from the partner organization indicates that currently at least 75,000 Christians are living in North Korea. Last year, TWR-Korea distributed 2,800 radios, which was more than its initial goal. This year, workers aim to distribute 3,000. So far in 2008, 420 have been delivered, with more in process.
Each radio package contains a shortwave radio, four AA-size batteries, booklets that teach Bible materials and two plastic bags, which help keep the radios from becoming damaged. To date, 70,000 booklets have been printed and distributed. These booklets cover the Old and New Testaments, church history and teaching summaries of books of the Bible. New materials like systematic theology and new Bibles translated into North Korean are also being printed. To date, 5,000 translated copies of the New Testament have been completed, and plans to produce 50,000 copies of the full Bible are underway.
Prayer Points
- Pray for the North Koreans who are living in hardship and poverty in restrictive circumstances.
- Pray for the underground church leaders as they lead and teach believers in the Word of God.
- Pray for physical safety and spiritual growth of believers and TWR’s workers distributing radios.
- Pray for God to provide more resources for the translation and production of TWR Korean programs.
- Pray for TWR-Korea’s staffing needs.
- Pray for needed funding toward airtime costs of unsponsored TWR Korean programming.