The Need
All across Africa many live in isolation with limited access to the gospel. For some, this isolation is both geographic and religious, most notably in countries where missionaries and proselytizing are prohibited by government regulations. Other isolating factors include war, disease and famine.
Even though the gospel has made great inroads during the last century, there still remains a vacuum of good, sound biblical teaching. This vacuum allows worldviews and nonbiblical customs, including witchcraft, to continue their grip on the continent. Unlike most conventional means of bringing the gospel into isolated areas, radio is the preferred way to reach most Africans. Radios are accessible and have had an enormous impact on believers and nonbelievers alike. Broadcasts reach into areas where missionaries or local pastors cannot go, especially where the threat of persecution poses an obstacle to evangelization. Local FM radio stations are increasing in number and many of them desire Christian programming. But their resources are limited and they themselves cannot produce quality broadcasts for their audiences.
The Vision
To solve the dilemma of good, quality Christian programming for these FM stations, Trans World Radio (TWR) has initiated its “Africa Satellite Extend-A-Link Project.” From its facilities in South Africa, TWR is able to send out programs to local FM stations throughout the continent by means of satellite delivery. Satellite can distribute more cost effectively than any other method because it can broadcast once to many stations. It can also overcome the ineffective mail delivery in Africa with a reliable communications method so that program CDs no longer have to be sent by mail to radio stations.
These broadcasts would include such widely acclaimed programs as J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible, James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, Tony Evans’ Alternative, Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living and others. TWR would also provide on its broadcast schedule programs dealing with HIV/AIDS, family values, youth issues and more, all in the languages of African listeners. By so doing, TWR’s Africa Satellite Extend-A-Link Project will make available to local stations that cannot afford to purchase programs the opportunity to receive them free via satellite 24 hours a day.
The stations will have a choice of downlinking the programs and recording them for broadcast at a later time that better suits their needs, or they can broadcast the signal live on FM. Each station will be provided full access to all of TWR’s programs, including those supplied by our African as well as international broadcasters.
The Ministry
Trans World Radio began broadcasting in 1954 and today is the world’s most far-reaching Christian radio broadcasting network. TWR ministers through more than 2,800 outlets around the world, including 14 international broadcasting locations, as well as local medium wave (AM), shortwave, long wave and FM radio stations, direct-to-listener satellite broadcasts, cable audio systems and the Internet. Programs are aired in more than 200 languages and dialects and reach millions in over 160 countries. TWR’s worldwide team consists of over 2,000 people, with partner organizations in more than 40 countries.
TWR airs the good news of Christ to Africa from transmitting sites near Johannesburg, South Africa, and from Swaziland, as well as over many local stations. TWR’s broadcasts and related ministries on the vast continent of Africa encompass more than 40 countries and over 55 languages and dialects.
The Opportunity
For Trans World Radio to deliver radio programs via satellite 24 hours a day to a local African radio station will cost $1,000 for one year. TWR desires partners to commit to one to three years of sponsorship of programs via satellite to one or more local FM stations. We ask that you prayerfully consider how God might use you to help meet this important need.
Get Involved
How can you help with this important aspect of our ministry? Consider financially supporting this project.
- Make an online donation by clicking the link below.
- Mail in a donation by completing, printing, and sending our mail-in form
- Call us at 1-800-456-7897 and ask for the Donor Services department to make a credit card donation over the phone or inquire about other methods of giving.