NRB Strategic Partnership  

April 2010 Prayer Newsletter  

I’m holding in my hand a treasure. It’ s probably not something I’ll get mugged for. I don’t think I need to put it in the vault for safe keeping. In Indonesian Rupiahs...DR 250,000. And in today’s currency exchange…its US monetary value: $27.43. A treasure.

It happens every time I take off to help…to give to… Christian broadcasters in other lands. I am the one who receives the blessing. I am the one who is amazed at God’s work. I am the one who gets to hold a treasure, if but for a moment. More on that later.

I first met Paulus Wiratno over five years ago. His ministry, DiscipleMakers, had started a few small Christian radio stations in Indonesia. KCBI FM 90.9 in Dallas, Texas, wanted to involve its listeners in assisting a Christian broadcaster in another part of the world, and my friend Ron Cline of HCJB Global said Paulus would be someone we should help.

The listeners responded to the opportunity to put a Christian station in the small country of East Timor. The need was for $15,000, but these faithful listeners went beyond the call. Before the morning was over we had enough funds to help with another station. When it was obvious that financial donations were so generous, a quick phone conference was held and a second station need was identified.

However, we couldn’t tell the listeners about the island where the Christian station would go. Muslim/Christian conflict was raging. Christians were being killed in brutal ways for their faith. And neither HCJB nor Paulus wanted to stir up any more problems for the small group of believers who were requesting a radio station for the proclamation of the Gospel. It was Ambon Island.

Five years ago, on my first trip to Indonesia, our KCBI engineer, Doug Watson, and I lugged a radio transmitter in a sturdy suitcase on our flight to Bali. We met a young man from Ambon who would take the transmitter to the embattled island and set up the station. It was too dangerous for other Indonesians to go at that time. Soon the station was up and running, proclaiming the Truth of God’s love, found by accepting the free gift of His Grace, through God’s Son, Jesus.

Over the years I have quizzed Paulus about Ambon and the Christian radio station transmitting the Gospel in the midst of religious conflict. Had it been burned down? Bombed? The church that housed it destroyed? No…still standing…still broadcasting…still a witness for Christ.

About three months ago I got a brief text message from Paulus. Through his tears he texted that not only was the station on Ambon still on the air, Muslims were coming to Christ because of the consistent witness of the station. Many said the only time their heart was at peace was when they listened to the Christian station. Children of Muslim leaders were giving their hearts to Jesus. God was…is…doing His work on Ambon Island.

This week I met the station manager of Ambon’s Christian radio.

He told me how God was using the station to break down barriers between Muslims and Christians. Bitter hatred between them had led to many Christians being killed, homes burned, lives threatened. Even after the main conflict, the hatred and the memories of the atrocities kept the feelings strong and the barriers high.

Enter the Christian station in 2004. To be honest, the station is programmed differently than I would do it. There is Middle Eastern music…with Christian words. Prayer requests are taken from both Christian and Muslim listeners…asking for prayer from their own leaders. Muslim religious leaders have some access to address their people, since many listen to the station. But walls…barriers…are coming down.

Often the station invites listeners who want to know more about Christianity and about Jesus to come to a meeting. Listener meetings are held from time to time, and Christ is preached. Muslims are opening their heart. Hatred is being replaced by peace. Relationships are being built among groups that previously killed to make their point. Now they are talking. And some are asking Jesus to be the Lord of their life.

I asked the Ambon station manager how we could pray. He asked that we pray for the spiritual leaders, both Christian and Muslim, that they would come together to discuss their world, their faith, their communities. And, of course, the manager asked us to pray that many would give their heart to Jesus. God is at work in amazing ways throughout this land, and we need to be faithful to pray for His continued hand of protection, His ministry plan and direction, and for the hearts of the people…all the people…to turn to Christ, their only hope.

And…you ask…what about that treasure? What could be more moving than that experience?

Paulus asked me to speak Sunday at a house church at one of their Children’s Homes. For years this amazing ministry has added more radio stations…up to 35 now. They have added Bible schools all over Indonesia, training men and women to plant churches, over 1100 now, and to grow disciples. And they have started 12 orphanages to meet the needs of children who have lost their parents or who have been separated due to conflicts.

I am a poor preacher by any standard. I can list for you all the things I don’t know. But I serve a great…and gracious…God, who somehow uses a weak vessel to share His love and His grace to others.

I spoke to the mix of orphans, Bible students and workers at the little house church in Bali. I worshipped with vibrant young people, and a praise team of young men from the orphanage. With the help of Paulus translating, I talked of the way God wants to provide for us when we obey and give him our best. It was based on the story in 1 Kings 17 of Elijah and the widow woman of Zaraphath.

As we left the service I shook hands with many, wished them God’s blessing, and said good-bye. One young man handed me what I thought might be a note folded up. I would read it later. Probably needed a translator, anyway. It went in my pocket and we went off to Sunday lunch.

That’s when I opened what I thought was a note. It was an envelope of Indonesian money. Rupiah. In US currency…$27.43.

Me: What’s this?
Paulus: Yours.
Me: ???
Paulus: The offering…from the children…for you.

I don’t get speechless often. I was speechless. I offered it back. He said, “No. You accept it.” And I did. Children. Refugees from the conflict in East Timor and other trouble spots. Children…who have no parents or, in anguish, can’t find them. Children…who would be in the streets if it weren’t for Christians who care, who teach them about love, and about giving. Their gift to me. I’m in tears.

That treasure won’t stay with me for long. I’ll give it to the amazing work God is doing in this place. But I doubt it will be the priceless treasure I received in Indonesia. Unless… unless God touches it…again.
 
Prayer Requests/Ministry Updates

Indonesia

• Paulus Wiratno says his greatest need is for leaders. Indonesian businessmen on some of the islands have committed financial resources to start a Christian radio station, but DiscipleMaker ministry doesn’t have enough trained station leaders for the task. Paulus needs a school to train Christian broadcasters to go along with his school to train church planters.

• The ministry is ready to put 7 stations on the air on island or remote villages where there is little or no consistent electricity. Solar panels and batteries can run small transmitters that will cover the village with Christian broadcasting. Four of these units still need to be purchased at a cost of $3000 each. $12,000 total is needed for this project.

• A new Christian broadcast association was birthed this week here in Indonesia. Pray for this great opportunity for these dedicated believers to gain strength from each other and to grow into a strong voice of unity as they stand for Christ in the world’s largest Muslim nation.

Serbia

• ELION Media has been registered with the Serbian government and has received its first equipment. Requests are already coming in to the ministry for their services from other ministries in that country and in Macedonia. Pray for Sasko Bogeski and his wife Ira as they step into this new ministry. Sasko feels the need to grow in his skills in editing, and is seeking more training even as he begins the ministry. Pray for this door to open.

• Pray for wisdom in these early stages of the ministry, for God’s clear direction on the many decisions they need to make. And pray for the ongoing resources needed to acquire a new ministry location that will accommodate their editing needs and other ministry facets.

France

• Many challenges face those wishing to broadcast Christian programming in this largely apathetic country. NRB President Dr. Frank Wright and I will be meeting with some of these Christian leaders in April to learn more of their needs. Pray for encouragement as they struggle to gain the footing needed, as well as the financial resources, to grow the impact of the Gospel in France.

• I will be attending another meeting of various Christian media people later in April. These include those working in radio, television, and the Internet. Again, we will be discerning the situation in the country to see if there are ways NRB can assist them in the work. Pray for us to grasp the challenges they face in France.


Eastern Europe

• Also in April, a task force of Christian broadcasters from several countries will come together to plan the Balkans Training Initiative. This comes at the invitation of these Christian broadcasters, and will involve NRB members travelling to a location in Eastern Europe this fall for several days of training for the Christian broadcasters from the Balkans.

• Pray for the time spent outside Vienna with the planning team.Expected to join me will be:
Enkelejda Kumaraku from Media 7 in Albania
Stoyko Petkov from Studio 865 in Bulgaria
Lucian Despa from Radio Voice of the Gospel in  Romania
Tudor Petan from Alfa Omega TV in Romania
Sasko Bogeski from ELION Media in Serbia

• Pray also for additional funding for the training time this fall. NRB members have given $13,500 toward the expected cost of $20,000. The broadcasters who attend this fall will be expected to provide their own transportation and lodging. The donations will be used to defray some of the expenses for those attending so that as many as possible can take part. US broadcasters who serve on the BTI faculty will pay their own expenses for the trip.
Strategic Partnership

• As you can see this is a busy time for our NRB international work. Pray for the financial support to continue so we can connect with Christian broadcasters in these strategic global countries. Pray for strong relationships with associations in the various regions as we work side by side to send out the message of hope found only through faith in Jesus as Lord.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as we seek God’s best plan in assisting Christian broadcasters around the world and in mobilizing NRB member stations, program producers, and ministries.

• Pray for spiritual strength for the joyous work God has blessed me with, for which I am so grateful. And pray for my wife Judy and other family members during the times I am away.
If you would like to give to support any of these projects, or to support our Strategic Partnership in general, you may send a check to National Religious Broadcasters, 9510 Technology Dr., Manassas, VA 20110. Make it out to NRB and put on the memo line the country or project you would like to support. Of course, personal donations are tax deductible, and NRB will send you a receipt for your records. Any gift will be a treasure...and put to use in this exciting Kingdom work.

Finally...

On several occasions at this historic conference in Bali, participants talked of a sense of urgency for spreading the Gospel in this land. It was encouraging and refreshing to see the passion and the love these Christian broadcasters have. But they face great opposition and, sometimes, great danger. Yet they are not backing down from God’s calling on their life…to use the best tools available to take God’s message of hope and life to the people of Indonesia and Asia. Their sense of urgency drives them to give their all.

In a later newsletter I will tell you the story of a young lady who manages a Christian station in an area that is almost totally Muslim. I watched her during this conference, and was impressed with her commitment to the calling of the Lord on her young life. I think you will have a better understanding why I feel this work is so significant.

I often tell these Christian broadcasters, who sometimes feel detached, alone, discouraged, and even under spiritual attack, that they have a cloud of witnesses praying for them and cheering them on in this race set out before them. Your prayers mean more than you can imagine.

May the risen and reigning Christ bless you, and may we celebrate the Good News that Jesus is no longer in the grave. He has risen, just as He said. Hallelujah!

Ronald L. Harris, DD
Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnership
National Religious Broadcasters
 
817-446-1094 (Direct)
703-330-7000 ext. 400 (NRB HQ)
rharris@nrb.org

Dr. Ron Harris
Sr. Vice President for
Strategic Partnership, NRB

Prayer Thoughts 
  
"Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, even as Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life.
 
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
 
I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
 
Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.
 
As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
 
I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 
 
 -Prayer of Jesus from John 17(NASB)