“Peace be with you, listening friends. We greet you in the name of God, the Lord of Peace, who wants everyone to understand and submit to the way of righteousness that He has established, and have true peace with Him forever.” So begins TWR’s program in the African Mooré language.
The Way of Righteousness broadcast is a series of 100 15-minute radio programs that take the listener on a journey through the Scriptures of the prophets to view God’s unchangeable purpose for humanity. The broadcast teaches the Bible chronologically, focusing on the theme of redemption in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
After more than a year of research and development, The Way of Righteousness began airing from Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2004, aimed for the Mossi people of Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire who speak the Mooré language. In the past several years, it has grown in popularity, and many listeners have begun forming listener groups where discussions about the teachings continue.
“The program is having a great impact in West Africa, and it is our hope that eventually when the new medium wave station in Benin goes on the air that it will be aired from this location,” says TWR missionary John Ragsdale, ministry focus coordinator. “We are encouraged by the realization that God is guiding and blessing this program, and that many lives have been changed.”
The producer and translator, both pastors, have received many letters from listeners in response to the broadcast. With the more recent prevalence of cell phones, phone calls and text messages have also been received regularly. Wrote a listener in Cote d’Ivoire: “Through Trans World Radio, we are edified. Thanks to the radio, we have begun a small group. Each evening we invite our friends and neighbors to listen to the Word of God. The teachings in Mooré are miraculously changing us.”
“I am the son of a religious leader,” wrote another man from Cote d’Ivoire. “On occasion I listen to your broadcast. Your lesson on marriage and tithing completely upset my life. I had heated discussions with my father on the truths which have been hidden from us. I finally made the decision to give my life to Jesus. I do not regret it.”
And this person from Burkina Faso said: “I discovered your broadcast recently and listen often. Your messages are very instructive and edifying. Your chronological teachings of the Bible give me a formation that I did not find anywhere.”
Prayer Points:
- Pray for protection over the producer, translator and their families as they engage in ministry in a difficult location. Pray for continued funding for existing broadcasts and future development.
- Pray for those in Cote d’Ivoire who correspond with listeners to offer solid biblical counsel and encouragement.
- Pray for the many cell groups which have been started by listeners and are used as an outreach in the community.