February, 2011
NRB Strategic Partnership Prayer NewsletterFear or Trust…Go or Stay Once again the headlines command our attention. Cairo in Turmoil. In the midst of this turmoil are evangelical Christian broadcasters seeking to bring hope and salvation to all who will put their trust in Jesus. Reaching out to those seeking “something better” than what they have known for so long. Reaching out to those caught in the crossfire of political and religious chaos. Light for the darkness. Hope for the hopeless. Salvation for all who will call upon the name of the Lord. What should be our response as evangelical believers in Jesus Christ? Fear…or trust? Do we see these days in the Middle East as barriers or open doors? I How do we encourage these who are on the front line, literally, for the Lord? How do we strengthen the work? How do we assist them in what God is leading them to do to impact that culture to which He has called them? Big questions. If you have been reading these newsletters for a few months you may remember that the Lord brought to my attention a verse to share with Christian broadcasters in Russia. Hebrews 10:39 reminds us of the importance of standing for the Gospel. I believe this is a message for those serving the Lord through Christian broadcasting in the Middle East. Yet I also believe it is for many of us in the US. Do we say to our colleagues in Egypt, Lebanon, and other countries in this region, “Be safe, be warm,” and then go about our daily routine in the relative comfort here? Or, seeing the need and the opportunity, do we look for ways to be actively involved in strengthening and encouraging God’s work through these front-line folks? You are so faithful to pray for these needs. I greatly appreciate that. Pray that God will give clear direction to these in the Middle East who proclaim God’s Truth. And pray that the Lord will give us clear direction on how to best help. There is an opportunity to attend a conference in May for Arab Christian broadcasters. These gatherings are great opportunities for me to meet and get to know outstanding servants, and to learn from them how God is working. We also want to be open to ways we, through NRB, might be able to assist Christian broadcasters in this part of the world to accomplish the task that God has called them to do. We’re praying for both the Lord’s direction and provision. Your prayers on this will be a great encouragement to us. Ministry Opportunities and Prayer Needs 2011 NRB Convention Pray that our many international friends will receive the blessing and encouragement God intends for them, as they seek to build professional and personal relationships to strengthen their ministries and increase the impact of the Good News in their own land. For many of them a trip to America and the NRB Convention is a major expense. Our goal will be for them to make the connections they need for their broadcast ministries. Middle East Other NRB member organizations, such as HCJB, FEBC, and TWR, have operations and people serving in these areas. We pray for the message of Hope through Jesus will be heard above the din of protesters seeking “change.” The change needed is the one that comes from inside…in the heart of a person touched by the grace of God by accepting the gift of His Son, Jesus. France
Albania Radio 7/Media 7 is still working towards television for their work in Tirane. God may be opening some unusual doors to bring this about. Pray for wisdom for Enkelejda Kumaraku as she explores theseopportunities. At the same time, they are seeking the needed $75,000 to launch a radio station in Kosovo, an almost totally Muslim country. With a license already granted, they have a limited time to get the station built and on the air. Pray for the financial resources for this project. Sweden Sharing the Prayer Newsletter If you are receiving this from a friend, and would like to add your name to our email list, I would be glad to do so. You can send me your name and email address to rharris@nrb.org. Please know that the list is not sold, loaned, rented, or otherwise distributed. It is used solely for this purpose. And you might be glad to know that I only send out one or two emails a month. You won’t be overloaded or find your in-box overflowing with communication from me. Hopefully, that will allow you to make prayer for the items we mention a priority. That is what is needed above all.
Over the past two and a half years God has provided for the financial needs of this ministry effort in an amazing way. We are praying for His Spirit to draw others who can provide needed financial support to allow us to continue to encourage and enhance Christian broadcasting around the world. When I see what He has accomplished in this time I am amazed. When I see the growing need, I am hopeful…hopeful that the needed funds will be supplied to accomplish God’s plan in God’s way…and in His timing. I know He is faithful. May I be faithful, also.
Ronald L. Harris, DD |
Hezbollah Pressure Brings Uncertainty in Lebanon. Protesters in Streets in Tunisia, Yemen. It seems the Middle East is once again being stirred to major unrest. Some say they are seeking democracy. Others believe the rioters are motivated by religious fervor. Muslims exerting their powerful influence to establish stronger Islamic-leaning governments. As usual, these issues are more complex than what is often seen on the surface, and the outcome is anything but certain.
n last month’s prayer newsletter I mentioned that God was stirring my heart for our Christian broadcasters throughout the Middle East. By God’s grace…and with the dedication of His faithful servants…there are many ministries in the Middle East putting the truth of the Gospel into the air and over the Internet to all who will listen. Some broadcast ministries are visible and openly operating, while many others strive to stay below the radar, even while they have broadcast and production facilities and personnel at the epicenter of the turmoil. We have already been praying for all of these servants, for safety and for effectiveness in these unsettling days.
in the Middle East. Though I don’t have any projects with them, I really encourage prayer for this outstanding ministry. They program in multiple languages on several satellite channels that cover the Middle East with creative and significant Christian programming. Terrence Ascott heads up this ministry, and in recent days has asked for prayer for his staff and even his immediate family who have been impacted by the protests in Cairo and other cities and countries in that volatile region.
lmost a year of waiting, France For Christ heard that their application for a broadcast frequency for Paris, with the antennae on the Eiffel Tower, had been passed over in favor of another group. While that is a great disappointment, Paul Harrigan and the Radio Gospel team are committed to still seek a broadcast frequency for Paris. With 20% of the population of France living in the Paris area, they feel the potential for the greatest impact is with a station in that nation’s capital. Pray for encouragement, direction, and for the financial resources to continue the journey on the path God lays out for them…for His glory.
ace to come to this land. Protesters have been active in Tirane and in Korçë, where ministry partners Radio 7 and Radio Emanuel, have their Christian radio stations. We pray for safety for our friends, and we pray for the power of the Gospel to come through the broadcasts and change hearts for Christ.
facing challenging days as they continue to establish their ministry in this very secular land. The need for the Gospel is almost overwhelming, especially among young adults. The cost of ministry in Sweden is expensive, and it is has been challenging to get good support from within the country’s evangelical community. Pray for Roger Arnfjell as he leads this ministry. Pray with thanksgiving for the financial support of those in the US, and for other Christian broadcasters who are willing to step in to give guidance and direction.
