March, 2010
NRB Strategic Partnership Prayer NewsletterWith our 2010 NRB Convention now behind us, I’m combining our International Insider and Prayer Newsletter for this month. God is at work around the globe, and we count it a privilege to pray for the ministries and their leaders who are making an impact in lands where the Gospel is scarce. They are taking God’s light to those in spiritual darkness. Several of the people we work with were able to attend NRB’s 2010 Convention. You would understand that is a major effort and expense for them. We pray that the Lord inspired their hearts, and that contacts made will be beneficial for years to come. Lucian Despa with Radio Voice of the Gospel, and Tudor Petan and his wife Merila of Alfa Omega TV, both in Romania, were at the convention. Mary Hurst and Ann Wheeler from Radio Mosoj Chaski in Bolivia were able to attend, as was Roger Arnfjell from HopeFM in Sweden. We also welcomed Enkelejda Kumaraku and Erion Prendi with Media 7 in Albania to the convention. It was a first time experience for these two and for Roger Arnfjell. Enkelejda journeyed to Texas and stayed with Judy and me for a few days after the convention, and we introduced her to ministry friends as well as some Texas “culture.” At the 2010 NRB Convention many NRB organizations expressed their desire to become more involved in international work beyond just the placement of US programs on stations in other countries. What a great encouragement! I believe God is stirring hearts to mobilize His servants for global impact. Praise God. Another highlight was the response to NRB’s Balkans Training Initiative. Christian broadcasters in Eastern Europe have asked NRB to bring a team to train many of the people involved in Christian radio and TV throughout the Balkans. The Sunday worship service offering was dedicated to this effort, and over $13,500 was given. We praise the Lord for the generosity of many who understand the need and support this important effort. The video on Eastern Europe that was shown at the worship service can be viewed by clicking on this link or pasting it into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZ07Jny-Xg How effective is Christian radio in these far-flung places? Can people really accept Christ as Savior and grow spiritually? The answer is a resounding “YES!” Enkelejda tells of a man in the mountains of Albania. He lives many hours from the capital of Tirana where Radio 7’s studios are located. Somehow… some way…by God’s design, this man began listening to Radio 7. Albania, you may remember, was the most closed country in the world for 50 years, and was declared officially atheistic in 1967. It is likely this man had no religious background of any kind. But God touched his heart as he listened to the Christian programs from Radio 7, and he gave his life to Jesus. The closest church was over two hours away. Without transportation, there was no way he could attend. But he kept the radio on. And Radio 7 became his church. After two years this man was able to make it to Tirana and to Radio 7’s studios. Among his questions for the staff: “What do I do with my tithe? I have been saving it for two years.” Godly teaching, dedicated Christian broadcasters, the power of the Holy Spirit…and a strong disciple for the Lord is born and nourished through Christian broadcasting. God is using Christian media to change hearts and disciple Christians for His glory. Thank you for praying for the Lord’s dedicated servants in strategic places around our world. You have a hand in each ministry, each life touched. You are a blessing and an encouragement for God’s glory. Prayer Needs/ Ministry Updates Albania • Radio 7 needs continued support and programming to touch the lives of their listeners. Pray for partners among radio stations, programmers, and individuals. Sweden • God continues to open doors in amazing ways. A rock station in southern Sweden that used deception to acquire its license has now gone bankrupt. HopeFM may be able to get that license for its Christian programming. Romania • Alfa Omega TV is facing major challenges as it seeks to complete its broadcast center in Timisoara and to expand its satellite platform. Both are needed for Alfa Omega to serve the various language groups in the countries surrounding Romania in Eastern Europe. Bolivia • Pray for Radio Mosoj Chaski as they seek to organize their station and deal with the need for a local board to oversee the ministry. Pray for continued financial support, and US partners who can help them supply radios to the Quechua and to produce more programs. France • There are several groups in France seeking to awaken apathetic hearts to the love of God and the power of the Gospel. They struggle with support, opportunity, licenses for over-the-air broadcasting, and discouragement. Spain • Radio Onda Paz operates five frequencies that cover Barcelona with Christian programming. Pastor Julio Pèrez heads this broadcast ministry that has been funded largely by his church. The recent economic crisis in Spain has put the stations in jeopardy. Radio Paz needs ongoing financial support of $6-7 thousand to keep the station going. That is a small price to pay for the ability to reach a population of well over 2 million in Spain’s 2nd largest city. NRB Strategic Partnership • Pray as we follow up with ministries showing interest in the international work. We want God’s spirit to draw His people to the work as we share what the Lord is up to globally, and as we introduce them to the Lord’s amazing servants and their ministries. Finally… I feel so honored that God would let me be a part of such a great enterprise. Just think, servants of Christ, here and around the world, using the most powerful communication tools… to share the old, old story of Jesus and His love. May God be glorified in all we do and how we do it.
Ronald L. Harris, DD |
