Ministry Projects - Africa
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The People
The small, land-locked country of Burundi is a country deeply scarred by oppression, division and conflict. Among the poorest countries in the world, Burundi is struggling to face the challenges of lingering ethnic divisions, shortages in food and medication and ever-increasing poverty and disease caused by drought and limited natural resources.
The Need
This densely-populated African nation continues to struggle for peace after 40 years of civil war which resulted in the death of more than 200,000. Restoration appears to be something far in the future and many of the people live without hope, carrying much dissatisfaction with life. There is a deep need in Burundi for healing and restoration. The people need to see the value of life outside of the conflict. Most of all, they need to hear of the peace and hope that can only come through Jesus Christ.
The Ministry
Two weekly radio programs are aired in the peoples' "heart" language, KiRundi and are able to reach the entire country.
Good News for All
This one-hour broadcast, aired on Sundays, provides biblical teaching to the people of Burundi. The radio program targets three groups of people: a) the unreached people, to proclaim to them the Gospel; b) believers who have been scattered due to the civil war, to encourage them to abide in Jesus despite their hardships; and c) believers who need scriptural explanation and clarification. Many people testify that this program provides their "spiritual food" for the week.
Jesus is the Answer
Many of Burundi's youth only know conflict, violence and poverty. They face a somewhat bleak future with only 50% of children attending school. This 30-minute radio program deals with issues that are relevant to the youths' situations and tells them how Jesus can meet them in their need. In addition, "Jesus is the Answer" regularly features the topic of HIV/AIDS, since Burundi is one of the countries most severely affected by this disease.
The Results
A pastor in Burundi noted that "Good News for All" is the most listened-to program in the country. There are testimonies from people all over the country who share how Jesus saved them - for eternity and from their various problems. In addition, many of the rebels are coming out of hiding for repentance, seeking forgiveness and reintegration into society.
"... your messages comfort me in spite of my difficulties. Whenever programs are aired, my family comes together to listen to them. When you preach the Good News, my family stops everything they are doing to listen to the programs ... TWR is a help in hard times ... I don't have words to say how much the broadcasts assist ... TWR has been our comfort."
"The youth program has helped me grow spiritually ... I had no interest in listening to [the] radio until I heard TWR ... when I started listening to the youth program on Sunday afternoon, I was in trouble. While listening to the program, I heard a young man give his testimony and this gave me the answer. I was refreshed. I was encouraged to take another step in my faith." - (the listener's parents were killed in 1993 along with 14 other family members)
"It would be a shame if sponsors were to stop supporting these programs. Without these programs exhorting and encouraging people in these desperate times, who knows how far this country could deteriorate." - A student at the University of Burundi
Prayer Points
- Pray for the TWR staff in Burundi. Conditions are difficult as the staff have to cope with lack of funding, limited supply of electricity and a shortage of equipment.
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The People
In the region of West Africa, a large majority of the people speak the Mossi language. In fact, approximately 1.9 million in Cote d'Ivoire and 45% of the population of Burkina Faso are of Mossi background. Over six million of the Mossi people speak the Moore language with the majority also being Muslim. No more than 3% of these people claim to be Christian.
The Need
The Mossi people are in great need of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are also in need of protection and hope in the midst of a difficult political and religious climate.
The Ministry
"The Way of Righteousness" has a target audience of over 5 million Mossi and is aired using the new Benin transmitter. It is a tailored chronological Bible story-telling program to reach out to the Mossi people in a culturally sensitive way. Taking the form of a discussion, this daily 15-minute program journeys through the Biblical prophets in order to present God's unchangeable purpose for mankind. Episodes focus on Christ and answer the Old Testament patriarch Job's four thousand year old question, "How can a man be righteous before God?" (Job 9:2). Indeed, "The Way of Righteousness" is making the redemption story more understandable to the Muslim listener. Listeners are able to communicate with the producers on a daily basis through phone calls and text messaging.
The Results
As a result of this program, many listeners have begun forming "listener clubs" where discussion continues around the teaching long after the transmission of the programs has ended. These discussions are being used as an outreach opportunity into the Muslim community. With the transition to the new Benin transmitter, there has been an increase in the amount of listener response to this program. Praise God!
"Thanks to your radio ministry. I opened a cell group for prayer and study of the Bible in my house through the programme. The radio is a powerful means of helping me to evangelize." - Listener from Koumassi, Cote d'Ivoire
"I live in the middle of the Muslims and thanks to your broadcast messages I now carry out a true ministry among the Muslims. I invite my Muslim neighbours and friends to listen during the broadcasts. We listen together then we discuss all that was preached and taught this day. There are even people who end up giving their life to Jesus. This is wonderful. Carry us in your prayers." - Listener from an undisclosed location
"We are located in the desert in the locality of Djédabila. I am currently a pastor in this locality. We bless the Lord for the program of Pasteur Solomon Sawadogo. During the hour of the broadcast we gather ourselves in group to listen to it. At the end of the broadcast, it helps us to become involved in evangelization. We pray for the advance of the work which you do in Côte.d'ivoire, that the Lord blesses." Listener from Djédabila, Burkina Faso
Prayer Points
- Pray for protection over the producer and the translator and their families as they engage in this ministry in a difficult political and religious climate.
- Pray for continued funding for existing and future broadcasts.
- Pray for those in Audience Relations in Cote d'Ivoire who correspond with the listeners to bring solid Biblical counsel and encouragement to those who are seeking to follow the way of righteousness.
- Pray for the many "listener clubs" and their opportunity for discussion and evangelism.
- Pray that God will provide for those who visit the groups of believers. There are numerous visit requests but this is made difficult by expensive transport charges and fuel.
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The People
Mozambique is materially one of the poorest countries in the world, with its people struggling with poverty, economic difficulties, and the aftereffects of a 15-year civil war produced over 1 million casualties. In the northern part of Mozambique live the 4 million Makua people who speak Makhuwa. A sister language of Lomwe, Makhuwa is the most important indigenous language of the country. The Makua people's main religion is Islam.
The Need
The Makua people live relatively isolated lives full of hardships. They need to hear messages of peace and reconciliation to break remaining feelings of hostility. Most of all, they need to hear of hope, renewal and restoration that only comes through Jesus Christ.
The Ministry
In response to these difficulties, TWR partnered with Words of Hope to create the daily broadcast, "Molumo Olipelela" or "Words of Hope" (WoH). This program brings the Gospel to the relatively unreached Makua people. Pastor Caetano produces the program with the goal of proclaiming Jesus Christ through broadcasting and seeking to build the church by spreading the Word of salvation and by encouraging Christians in the life of discipleship.
The Results
Many Muslim families today are turning their lives to follow Jesus Christ. Groups of believers are forming churches. In fact, the new Christians of a Makua village recently transformed a mosque into a new church for worship of their Lord, Jesus Christ. Some government officials have even expressed their appreciation of the program. As of August 2008, 356 believers now attend up to 16 different churches. 7 more listener groups have been formed and a Muslim Sheik has been converted to Christianity by listing to the program with other people.
"I want to give many thanks for the TWR programs. At first it was hard and difficult to preach the Word of God in that area. When I joined a group of listeners, I was given a radio (Grunding) which helped me so much in evangelism. In 2006 when the program producer visited the area where the nucleus is, three more groups were created in the neighboring churches. There are two churches with approximately 48-60 members in each and more people are coming. They are in need of Bibles and other Christian reading material." - A Pastor from Twelve Apostles Church of Mozambique
"People from Muecate district in Nampula province say that the program is good and educational. When the programs started in Muecate district there were only four churches and now after five years of listening to the program there are five churches of Baptist Union, seven of the Assemblies of God, eight of Christ Evangelical and nine of other denominations. The churches in this district are a result of the program, Molumo Olipelela. Their wish is that the programs continue. They complain that the time of the program is very short." - A Listener from the Zion Church
"It was a surprise when we listened to the program for the first time in our lives; we heard about Jesus Christ the Savior in our own language. Since then we have always listened to the program. We belong to an Evangelical church in Mogincual district. That's how we received Christ in our lives. We ask for your prayers."
"I never had a religion before. One day I approached a group of people who always sat to listen to the radio programs. I wanted to know what was so important that made people sit and listen to the radio. There I found salvation in Jesus Christ. Since then I and my family have been listening to the program. We have received a radio and a Portuguese Bible. We ask for your prayers."
"I am married and I have five children. I was a Muslim and I am a Molumo Olipelela program listener for long time. At first I used to listen to the program alone and I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Today I and my family we are going to an Evangelical church. We feel very happy and we are free from our sins in Jesus Christ."
Get Involved
- Praise the Lord for the encouraging listener response to this program!
- Pray for transportation to enable visits to the listener groups and distribution of Bibles and other Christian materials.
- Pray for the producer, Pastor Caetano, that he will continue being faithful and encouraged in serving God in this ministry.
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The People
The country of Mozambique is among some of the poorest countries in Africa. Its 17 million people struggle with poverty and the aftereffects of a 15-year civil war that left over 1 million fatalities. Among this population are the 2.8 million Lomwe-speaking people of western Mozambique who practice Islam.
The Need
These people have endured much hardship. Situations during the civil war made it impossible for missionaries to enter and bring the Gospel to the Lomwe people.
In the aftermath of the civil war, the people were forced to accept any religion from the local leadership. The Lomwe people need messages of peace and reconciliation. Most of all, they need to hear of hope, renewal and restoration that only comes through Jesus Christ.
The Ministry
In response to these difficulties, TWR partnered with Words of Hope in 1989 to create the daily broadcast, "Weherya Mwa Yesu" or "Words of Hope" (WoH). This program brought the Gospel to the relatively unreached Lomwe-speaking people. The producer, Reverend Avelino Mutilima, serves with the goal to reach unbelievers with the Gospel in addition to teaching and encouraging existing Christians in their walk with the Lord. The programs are geared to reaching out to non-believers, believers, and church leaders to bring messages of hope and encouragement amidst struggle.
The Results
Well over 300 churches have been started through the "Words of Hope" broadcasts. Beginning with a small nucleus of new converts, the membership of many listener churches now numbers in the hundreds. In 2008 alone, an additional 60 new congregations were formed as a result of the program! Many Muslim families today are turning their lives to follow Jesus Christ.
"I am an old leader of 50 congregations as a result of WoH. It's wonderful. As soon as the gospel reached my village, it also reached the rural areas where it wasn't possible for somebody to go. It also reached the Muslim dominated areas. The radio is there, reaching those unbelieving people. We thank the Lord for reaching them through radio. My prayer is to continue preaching humbly and faithfully. Also I would like ask you (Pastor Avelino) to visit this area despite of the transportation situation you are facing. Your coming will encourage the listeners and new congregations. Also I would like to have the Lomwe Bible, evangelical hymn books, pamphlets and free radios." - from a Pastor
"We had a lot of problems with attitude toward sins like polygamy, adultery, alcoholism, and theft. There is also Satanism and witchcraft. Thank you for your preaching through meetings, tours, and through the radio. Without that, people and leaders don't know enough to tell the difference between what's true and what is false. Pray for us to not turn back to the old life." A Muslim Family
"We used to practice witchcraft and through the programs from TWR we received the truth of our Lord. We are now free of our sinful lives. We will continue praising the Lord until the end of our lives." A listener from Zambezia
"We are grateful for the preaching of the Word of God from TWR, Pastor Mutilima. The Reverend has an important mission with our believers. He teaches and counsels and calls for the lost to come and join us. We ask you to send us booklets and Bibles. Our prayer is that you continue preaching through radio this good news." A listener from Zambézia
Get Involved
- Pray for Rev. Avelino who often travels on extended preaching tours. Pray that God will continue to give him strength and wisdom as he offers counsel and encouragement to many.
- TWR missionaries still face severe transportation challenges in Mozambique. Pray that God will provide the safe transportation and people who can visit and encourage the church leaders of each village
- Pray for the three pastors preaching different Lomwe programs:
- Weherya Mwa Yest (WMY) - Words of Hope Ministry
- Ohusiha Mitchaka Yaphama (OMY) - teaches the Good News for church leaders who are leading the congregations that are the result of WMY's ministry
- Emusi yanlakano (EY) - helps Christian families in their faith walk
- Pray for someone to help in acquiring the much needed Bibles, hymn books and free play radios for the far away areas so that they can continue listening to the radio
- Pray for the successful completion of the new studio in Mocuba that will facilitates the local transmission of programs to many listeners
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Tools for Wise Leadership |
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The People
Inhabitants of South, Central, and East Africa face many hardships, and adversity seems to be increasing. In addition to the notorious economic struggle caused by hyper-inflation, many countries face political uncertainty, guerilla warfare, corruption, poverty and inadequate health care.
The Need
As the Christian church in Africa grows, young pastors and lay church leaders face many challenges. For some, a prevalence of tribal cultural values influences their leadership style. As a result, these pastors find that while they were once able to lead without any formal biblical training, that is not the case today. Many in their congregations are educated and professional people, and pastors need a sound understanding of Biblical leadership principles in order to be effective. The new converts in Africa need solid, effective leadership.
The Ministry
In order to meet the leadership vacuum, TWR produces a 15-minute weekly radio program called Tools for Wise Leadership for listeners in some 10 countries across South, Central and East Africa. The program has the potential to reach over 166 million people! “Tools for Wise Leadership,” produced and aired in the English language, is designed to equip leaders with quality leadership skills learned from the greatest leader, Jesus Christ. The program provides management developmental teaching for professionals and leaders in the education, health, social welfare and church sectors. Those producing the programs see and respond to listener letters applicable to them, allowing them to continually evaluate and adapt the programs to meet the listener audience. As listeners reply, local TWR staff mail out program notes and support material.
The Response
This program is well respected in both faith-based and secular organizations, and benefits in changed leadership style are being observed as lives are being changed. Indeed, this program is a major first step in addressing a long-standing need in this part of the world.
“I am a Christian with a desire to establish a Christian library for my district. I have been following your program and have been blessed by this program. I have asked some other leaders to listen to this program and they have found it of great help. I sometimes discuss your teachings with these friends of mine and surely we are learning. Upon my desire of establishing a Christian library for my district I thought of requesting your teaching material to also be part of the Christian library. This will give my district equipped leaders who lead from what you teach.” - A Zimbabwean listener
“I listen to your program on Trans World Radio. Thank you for this program. It is inspiring and motivating. Presently I am on a medical board and unable to work because of a spinal injury. I accepted a call from our local church to be a leader of a cell group. I would like to motivate my members – if you would give me material that I can use as I lead this group. I have found this program molds and builds me up as a leader…” – A Listener from Chatsworth, South Africa
“Once I listen to your program, I feel revived and equipped for service.”
“Thank you for your program which is of great importance to my life. As I listen to this program, I see myself being a very good and wise leader whenever I will be given the task of being a leader at my local church.”
Prayer Points
- Pray for the presenter of the program, Dr. Phineas Dube, who travels a great deal to different countries, teaching on leadership. He is involved not only in Christian leadership but has on several occasions been invited by other organizations to teach staff on good leadership principles.
- Pray for the economic hardships that TWR’s Zimbabwe listeners are facing as adversity seems to be increasing. Pray that these listeners may continue to focus their eyes on God who is our provider rather than seeking their own solutions to economic problems faced.
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