NRB Strategic Partnerships Prayer Newsletter

Musings on an Autumn Day

It’s a cool lateOctober day as I write this, and looking out my office window I see the evidence of the change of seasons. In Texas we don’t generally see the same Technicolor display of the leaves as some parts of the US. Our leaves do turn, but it is usually from green to brown. Even with that, there is a sense of the advance of time, the cyclical nature of our world that God put in place, and the obvious hand of the Lord on His creation.

My morning routine includes reading the newspaper from front to back (I know, so old-school). It is easy to get into a tailspin when we read the headlines and follow the stories. They are often linked to the depravity of mankind, and the uber-reliance on government to fix all the ills of our world. Occasionally there will be a flash of hope, an acknowledgement of the miraculous, and…more rarely these days…a story that allows the work of the Lord to come shining through. But that is rare.

So to keep balanced, I read God’s Word. Judy and I will read through a book of the Bible at mealtime to compliment whatever else we are reading individually. We’re in Genesis now, and are constantly amazed at the failure of even the men and women of faith. We are even more amazed at the grace of the Lord to work through fallible people to accomplish His perfect will. That is a great reminder that there is hope for me!

The international work to which God has called me is unbelievably rewarding. On any given day I am in communication…via email, Skype, Facebook, etc…. with ministry friends in Albania, Sweden, Bolivia, Serbia, India, and other spots on our globe. We are usually linked with a dozen or so broadcast ministries that are making an impact for Christ, often in hard places. I am privileged to pray for these dedicated servants, and to see how we, through our NRB members and others, can help them accomplish God’s task.

Your prayers for these ministries mean so much. The challenges they face are great, and it can be easy to get discouraged. It is prayer that provides the balance…the hope for them. Often our international friends talk about how amazing and how encouraging it is to know that people in the U.S. and around the world are praying specifically for them and for their broadcast efforts.

Don’t stop. When we share these needs, spend a moment in prayer for each of them. As one man does, you may want to divide the prayer requests into days of the week and include them in your daily prayer time. Your prayers, and God’s blessings, are sustaining many who are on the front lines in a rough world, sharing Christ boldly. They are seeing men, women, and children come to Christ in the midst of a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or a secular culture that ultimately leads them away from God and toward spiritual death. You are helping bring hope and life.

The fall weather reminds us of challenges to come. The cold of winter will do its damage. Trees will lose their leaves. Plants will seemingly die. But since the time God put everything in place, winter is followed by spring. Hope for new life carries us through the tough days. And the promise of God’s Word pushes us to renewed faith. The verse that the Lord has continued to imprint on my heart over this past year speaks to these elements. It’s Hebrews 10:39:

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. (NASB)

Hear it from the Amplified Bible:

But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul. (AMP)

Cleave…trust…rely on God…walk by faith…don’t shrink back.  And pray for those who are on the front line sharing that truth…that hope.

Ministry Updates and Prayer Needs

Kosovo
Radio 7 in Pristina, Kosovo, is just a few weeks away from their planned start of Christian programming in this mostly Muslim country. However, at last word the appropriate authorities have yet to sign the final papers for the station. Equipment has been ordered and is on its way. A studio location has been secured. The Kosovar staff has been selected and is being trained. But due to political issues in the country, the paperwork hasn’t been signed. Pray for this to take place soon so that the hope found in Christ can be in the air over Kosovo by the end of the year. Pray for Enkelejda Kumaraku as she heads up this effort while continuing to lead Radio 7 in Albania.

Albania
Radio Emanuel’s signal reaches into Macedonia and Greece from its southern Albanian location in Korcé. Engineers from Galcom International are on the scene working on an improved antenna system to reach farther and stronger into this region. Pray for the successful completion of this project, and for Tani and Efti Baraku as they reach into the many communities around Korcé with the love of Christ.

Serbia
New computers and software at ELION Media Ministry in Belgrade are opening new opportunities for media impact. The ministry is taking its first steps toward online Christian radio in the Serbian language, with the hope of eventually acquiring a frequency for over-the-air broadcasting. A learning process is underway, and volunteers are training to use this new tool to bring the hope of Jesus to a lost world. Opportunities for video production continue to grow. ELION has produced a Serbian subtitled version of a series produced by CBN, and has also provided Serbian versions of the video series “More Than Dreams,” which shows how God is impacting Muslims through dreams and visions…just like in Bible times.

Pray for Sasko and Ira Bogeski, for discernment regarding media opportunities, for needed volunteers and staff, and for the financial support to meet ministry and family needs.

India
Discussions continue in India for the formation of a Christian broadcasters association in that country. There are many ministries, companies, and individuals who are involved in taking the Good News to the people of India. An association can help to unite them for greater impact of the Gospel, and for greater influence with government officials and broadcast authorities.

Pray for Ashvin Dhyriam of Good News Television as he spearheads the formation of this association. In addition, pray for Ashvin and his father, Nehru Dhyriam, as they work to launch a national Christian network in the Hindi language. Pray also for the many other ministries in India using media to touch the hearts of their people.

Sweden
HopeFM has an enormous task: to break into the secular culture that envelops Sweden and deliver a message of hope found only in Jesus. And it has to be financially viable. That is not as simple as it seems. This same struggle goes on among our U.S. broadcasters. Do we program for Christians, who will support our ministry, or do we program to reach the lost, who likely won’t be supporting the broadcast ministry needs? Or, is there a middle ground?

Pray for Roger and Marie Arnfjell and the HopeFM board as they struggle with philosophy and programming direction. Pray for the needed financial support. And, pray that they will be able to take advantage of opportunities for broadcast licenses for Stockholm and other major areas of Sweden.

 

New Opportunities
We are hearing from people in Pakistan and several countries in Africa who are seeking help for broadcast ministries. Our heart is to try to find assistance for these who are serving in challenging places. We need wisdom…the mind of Christ…to know how to best help. Time and resources limit my ability to take on some of these needs. Pray for the discernment to know who to help directly and who to refer to other ministries. We have many among our NRB family who work on the international scene who can also help. Also pray for NRB members to respond to the growing opportunities to assist international Christian broadcasters. May God stir the hearts of U.S. broadcast ministries to step up and link up with these servants in other lands.
   
Strategic Partnership Financial Needs
God is speaking to individuals to help support this special NRB ministry facet. A while back we quietly launched a campaign called Ten by Ten, seeking ten individuals who would donate or raise $10,000 to help us start 2012 in a strong financial position. Some have already committed to help. Others are considering what they might do. Pray for God to lead us to the right people that He has blessed financially, and who have a heart to take the Gospel around the world. At least $100,000 is needed by the end of the year if we are going to be able to continue to strengthen and encourage Christian broadcasters all over the world.

By the way, any donation of any amount will be a blessing. I have had to decline some opportunities this fall because we didn’t have the financial resources needed to cover the expenses. A gift of $500 or $1000 would make a huge difference.

Donations can be made to NRB, noting Strategic Partnerships on the memo line of your check. NRB is a 501 (c) (3) organization, so your gift is tax-deductable. A year-end donation would be a great blessing. Checks can be mailed to NRB, 9510 Technology Drive, Manassas, VA, 20110.

NRB 2012 Convention

A lot of work has been done to make the NRB 2012 convention in Nashville, Tennessee, one of the best ever. It is scheduled for February 18-21, 2012, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. We anticipate a great group of international broadcasters will attend to gain further understanding and to build relationships that will help them impact their culture for Christ. Pray for those planning to attend. The cost for them is often monumental, especially with the rising cost of air travel. And many have to go through a vigorous visa process before they are allowed to come.

Pray that those God wants to attend will be able to do so, and will not be hindered in any way. Pray also for the continued preparation for all aspects of the NRB Convention, and for our NRB convention staff and volunteers who work so hard to make it an uplifting, edifying, encouraging, inspirational, and God-honoring event.

Finally…

Can I ask you a question? What is God saying to you right now? Is He leading you to take a bold step for Him? Many of the internationals I have come to know have moved way beyond their comfort zone to follow God’s direction. What is holding you back right now? If the Lord is speaking to you and leading you…are you walking in faith…or, in some ways are you shrinking back? In the simplicity of life, we either trust God…or we don’t. Follow the Spirit’s direction, the Master’s voice, even if it takes you beyond your level of comfort today.

Remember, we are not a people who shrink back…but who walk in faith, for the salvation of souls.

With urgency for the Gospel,

Ronald L. Harris, DD
Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships

National Religious Broadcasters
 
817-446-1094 (Direct)
703-330-7000 (NRB HQ)
rharris@nrb.org
www.nrb.org/international

Web

NRB / 9510 Technology Drive / Manassas, VA / 20110