Hope radio

Due to low literacy rates and few resources available in their language, one least-reached people group in southern Africa faces challenges in staying up to date with local news, learning new skills and techniques and hearing about Christ’s love for them. That is where the radio comes in.

Together with partner organisations and local communities from the surrounding area, OM started a Christian radio station to reach people within a 50km radius. The station broadcasts a wide variety of content including practical information, community news and Scripture. Over half of the programmes are aired in the language of the least-reached people group.

“Our listeners face many of the same challenges that other communities face: socio-economic poverty, arranged marriages at young ages, teen pregnancies, high school dropout rates for both girls and boys and natural disasters such as flooding or drought,” explained Fischer* the radio programme manager. “Our programmes are intentionally addressing the needs of our listeners: both their physical and spiritual needs.”

Daily weather reports help fishermen stay safe on the water; teachings about new agricultural methods support farmers; health and home topics engage women; discussing topics such as business, health and education helps youths make wise decisions; additionally, the gospel message is shared to all listeners. The radio programmes are run by about 20 staff and other volunteers from 05:00 to 22:00, seven days a week. Throughout the day, a five-minute ‘thought of the day’ from scripture is shared, 15 minutes of Bible verses are read and two hosts discuss a Bible passage and what it means. In the evening, a partner, Trans World Radio (TWR), provides expository teaching. Altogether, the biblical content makes up about 10-15 per cent of the daily programme.

Learning together

About 14 Bible study groups have formed over the past few years in the area. “I can say that these groups would not exist without this radio station,” Fischer said. “These groups are places where people can come together to discuss God’s Word and what it means in their own lives. The majority of these Bible studies are among [the least reached], who have heard about Jesus on the radio and wanted to know more.”

Another staff member, Philip*, explained how people come to the radio station saying they have listened to the Bible programmes and want someone to come to their village to start a Bible study. “We go to their community and ask the chief for permission to do this, and so far, we have always gotten the OK,” Philip said. “I think we have a good reputation in the villages.”

Most groups start meeting under a mango tree in a public space, with many people attending out of curiosity. Over time, the participants whittle down to those who are really interested in God’s Word. “We start with the story of creation and build on the common ground that might be there... Most of them are from a Muslim background, but even Christians can have a low level of biblical knowledge,” Philip shared. “We focus on all the predictions that point towards someone [who would] come to save all people. That way when we get to the New Testament, they can see the fulfilment of these prophecies is in Jesus.” The Old Testament study can take one or two years to complete, as the groups normally pause during the rainy season when people are busy working in their fields. When the group has finished the Old Testament, the leaders ask if they want to stop. Philip adds, “Everyone says: ‘No, no. This has helped us so much. We have a different perspective. Please continue.’”

The larger size of the groups and the fact that they journey together in their discovery of God’s Word means that they experience less pressure from within the community to reject the Bible. “It’s easier for a group to decide that Jesus is the truth than it is for an individual,” Philip explained. “And anyone can join these groups, even though some people are too shy to join the Bible studies yet.”

“God has touched [people’s] lives and is at work,” Philip said. “It’s difficult to say how many [participants] are believers, but it is a big step for someone from a Muslim background to be baptised.” People from the Bible study groups shared that in the past, they were difficult people or got easily angered but now they are different. In one family, there was a lot of tension between husband and wife about her attending the Bible studies. But over time, she changed so much for the better that her husband encouraged her to continue to attend.

“We are here to bring light to these communities and the other surrounding areas,” Fischer. “To bring the gospel to those around us, but we also have a social responsibility to care for others too… I see the Bible as something that gives us guidance – and that is, I think, a need for everyone.”

Pray for the staff, volunteers and partners of the radio station as they continue to advocate for the needs of the community and serve both their physical and spiritual needs. Pray that the radio station would be granted a regional frequency permit, which would give them a much wider reach. Pray for wisdom for those involved in shaping radio programme content and in leading the Bible studies.

*name changed