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Multiplying Missionaries
Partnership has been crucial to the development and expansion of Gospel work throughout SGA’s ministry, particularly in the Central Asian region. Through fellowship with Trans World Radio, SGA has been able to extend its outreach into areas that were previously almost unevangelised, bringing the Gospel directly into homes and hearts where there is no access to a local church or the usual means of hearing God’s Word. The distribution of small radios – often described as our ‘little missionaries’ – has proved to be an effective way of overcoming many of the barriers faced by those who long to hear and be changed by the Gospel. But why is this project needed, and why is it so valuable in a region where opposition to Christian truth is often the norm?
Isolation
Central Asia is vast, and many parts are mountainous, dangerous for travel, and almost inaccessible. The distribution of radios with their associated SD cards containing additional Bible teaching means that the message can get to people and to communities beyond the visits of missionaries and evangelists. Furthermore, in many places the radio is the only contact with the wider world. There is no internet, no mobile phone network or signal, but ready access to the radio waves.
Privacy and personal security
There is a degree of privacy in listening to the radio or using the SD card material. Interested and spiritually concerned individuals can listen in private, in their own chosen location and at a time convenient for them. This is particularly relevant and helpful in the context of widespread oppression and persecution of Christian believers and spiritual ‘seekers’.
Excellent use of resources
It would be difficult to think of a more efficient way of reaching into unreached corners of these lands. Certainly, communication is relatively straightforward in the cities and large towns, but beyond these, and among the millions whose lifestyle is nomadic, radio broadcasting can reach where nothing else can.
Financially prudent and wise
There is an obligation upon God’s people to be careful in their use of the finances which believers contribute to support the expansion of Gospel outreach. The ‘little missionaries’ are an inexpensive, effective and widely acceptable means of communicating Christ’s truth.
The distribution of radios is being blessed by God, as the Gospel is shared in circumstances which are adverse, and often dangerous for those who engage in evangelism, and those who dare to listen. The radios are received with joy and sometimes with a healthy ‘jealousy’ on the part of others. One incident illustrates this. A little radio was given to a contact. He was thrilled with this gift and the opportunity to listen in to Bible ministry, and talked about it to friends. One of the friends pleaded for the radio, and the contact handed it over, but then immediately went back and sought a replacement for himself, which he received joyfully. Even the recipients of the radios are becoming ‘missionaries’, helping to spread the truth by appreciating and enthusing about them and recommending them to others!
The Good News is touching more and more hearts through this radio project, and SGA is thankful to God for the very productive partnership with our friends in Trans World Radio. Praise God with us for this partnership, and for the progress of the Gospel through it.