The Need
The church in China is exploding at a rate unparalleled in the history of Christendom. According to one source, the country with the fastest Christian expansion ever is China, now at 10,000 new converts every day (2001 World Christian Trends, William Carey Library, David Barrett and Todd Johnson). Others estimate the growth as high as 25,000 per day. But there is a daunting challenge: the number of house church leaders being trained is lagging well behind the addition of new believers. Untrained leadership lacking in both systematic theological and Bible training is resulting in wrong teaching, confusion and even cults.
The Vision
Since March 2001, Trans World Radio (TWR) has been providing intensive seminary training for those leading the millions of believers who gather secretly in house churches all over China. Building on many years of broadcast ministry into China from its superpower shortwave station on the island of Guam, TWR’s initiative includes: production and airing of a three-year cycle of Seminary On The Air (SotA) broadcasts, intensive hands-on training for house church pastors, distribution of audio resource libraries, the establishment of in-country audio reproduction centers and the funding of Internet broadcasting (“SotA online).
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’s long history of ministry to China dates back to 1977, when its station on Guam was first established and began broadcasting into China. Although missionaries are not permitted within the country, TWR is there every day—broadcasting more than 165 hours each week to North East Asia, including China, and providing Internet programming 24 hours a day. TWR’s Chinese staff works with some of the largest house church networks in all of China, several numbering in the millions. Every year, the staff conducts in-country training seminars for selected listeners of the SotA broadcasts. For those who cannot attend the seminars, TWR provides SotA classes on the Internet through its interactive SotA Web site.
The Opportunity
TWR has set a goal in 2007 to raise $408,825 toward the cost of Seminary On The Air (SotA) broadcasts, SotA Online, training house church leaders and audio resource libraries. Trans World Radio asks that you prayerfully consider a gift to help make this project possible.
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.