ministryupdate ISSUE NO. 2 | SUMMER 2013
I
230 LANGUAGES 160 COUNTRIES ONE HOPE
like to tell people that TWR is the most far-reaching ministry they’ve never heard of. We’re the nuts and bolts of global radio ministry. But, our infrastructure and services enhance the work of so many ministries that I’m sure you have heard about.
I think of Charles Price’s Living Truth broadcasts, Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s Thru The Bible series, Charles Stanley’s In Touch programs, Billy Graham’s Hour of Decision, Woodrow Kroll’s Back to the Bible and other media ministries like Leading the Way, The Word Today, Back to God Hour, Insight for Living, Words of Hope, and so many others. What would their reach be if they had to find translators, producers and distribution outlets themselves? TWR’s global infrastructure allows organizations to have effective international ministry with less cost and effort. I am also excited that TWR is constantly expanding its own programs and projects. Project Hannah, Seminary on the Air, Discipleship Essentials, and the distribution of media players are some of the projects making a life-changing difference around the world. None of this work would be possible without the support of ministry friends like you. We probably don’t say it enough, but thank you for your commitment. I invite you to read through this report and see the work being done through TWR Canada.
Ray Alary President, TWR Canada
Why Radio?
In Canada, our communications options include television, Internet, live streaming, podcasts, video, blogs, local and national newspapers, and Twitter. Lately radio feels old-fashioned. But radio is a vital communications tool in the global context. In places where there’s no electricity, few roads, conflict, food shortages, and rampant poverty, radio is the cheapest, most accessible way to deliver information. Most of the world doesn’t enjoy our conveniences and privileges. When a country’s infrastructure is fractured, and rural populations have no access to electricity, reaching those people with the Gospel is a challenge. When political instability
and religious persecution exiles missionaries, when geography makes people groups inaccessible—radio is the most effective medium to share the Gospel. Radio is the most prevalent mass medium, with the ability to reach up to 95 per cent of the world’s population. When governments and religious leaders ban Christians from gathering, from preaching, and sharing the Gospel, radio reaches past those barriers. Radio does not respect political borders and can reach people isolated by war, geography, physical disability, or social pressure. For displaced populations, refugee camps especially, radio is the continued on p. 2