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Why Shortwave Radio Is Effective for Ministry
A Voice to the Nations Shortwave radio has been called:
Strengths of Shortwave
Opportunity for Shortwave "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:14-15 NKJV Radio strategies can be an integral part of evangelism, training and church planting. It can play a vital role in building Christ’s church among given people groups or in entire nations. China India Soviet Union (*Defining church as two or more individuals gathered together in His name. They worship Him, study the Bible and pray together.) Shortwave radio is... Unlike radio or TV signals, shortwave signals bounce off the ionosphere (an umbrella several hundred miles above the earth’s surface). These signals bounce back and forth between the earth and this umbrella until the signal strength dissipates from repetition. Skipping and bouncing signals travel very far. Thus the main advantage of shortwave (found in the 2.3Mhz to 30Mhz band of the radio spectrum) is shortwave signals that can travel globally. Shortwave broadcasting has been a viable ministry tool for decades, but many Americans wrongly envision shortwave. It is not an amateur ham operator with earphones, struggling to listen to incoherent words from other ham operators. Governments around the world use shortwave like you use AM & FM in the States. These governments blanket entire countries through the use of a few transmitters. Their advantage is they control the programming. With almost all shortwave stations owned by the government (i.e. BBC, Swiss Radio International, Voice of America), they can fulfill their agenda. That agenda might be anything from political propaganda to promoting tourism. Most exciting is when shortwave stations come into the hands of non-governmental Christian owners with a heart to spread the Gospel. There are 24 FCC licensed shortwave broadcasters today and it is expected that shortwave broadcasting will continue to grow at the present rate of one or two new stations a year in the USA. Who Listens? An estimated 600 million people (called SWL) of all ages and races listen to shortwave radio for news, politics, information and entertainment. In many countries, the free flow of information is withheld or restricted, resulting in shortwave becoming a dominant source of information for listeners. Even when reception is difficult, people will try to listen because it provides what they cannot get any other way. Two years ago a study was done in Kano, Nigeria where all the FM stations and television were state-run. Over 80 percent of the adult population listened to a foreign broadcast by way of shortwave at least once a week. Listeners are on the rise in many parts of the world, including North America. Radio World reported over a million shortwave receivers sold in the U.S. and Canada each year, with sales growing yearly since 1991. So in an era of communication satellites, cable television news channels and modern technology, why would shortwave be a viable tool to help fulfill the Great Commission? As one worldwide broadcaster said, "A strong majority of people in the world have yet to make their first telephone call, let alone experience a computer or the Internet." Shortwave, in God’s hands, truly "brings glad tidings of good things." What "LifeChange 4-U" radio broadcast tries to accomplish
New Frontiers Through Radio Ministry Reaching Europe, Africa and the Middle East Through Shortwave Radio The weekly Bible teaching program entitled LifeChange 4-U broadcasts on shortwave radio each week. It is heard on World Wide Christian Radio (WWCR-1) at 14:30 UTC on 15.825MHz. World Wide Christian Radio is an international broadcasting ministry based in Nashville, Tennessee. Among non-government private shortwave broadcasters, WWCR now ranks ninth in programming hours. This missionary endeavor is intended to make and strengthen believers overseas. Not only can we "reach the unreached" people groups, but together we can train believers who are hungry for truth, teaching and training. Here are some responses received from listeners. Senegal, West Africa "By the grace of God I got born again via your message on shortwave. I was a Muslim living in Senegal where about 97 percent of the citizens are Muslim. I would love to servet he Lord for the rest of my lfie if trained to be an instrument for soulwinning." Your Son, Efe "Your messages come through clearly every Sunday. I am enjoying your teaching series on "Outsiders Who Came In." Please send me literature so I can learn more." Yours Sincerely, Denzil "I clearly receive your broadcast on Sunday evenings. Thank you for reaching different parts of the world by doing what Matthew 28:19 says, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations...’ May we one day meet face to face. Are you not thinking to come and visit Rwanda?" Faithfully yours, J. Raymond Partner with us in prayer as we strive to fulfill Matthew 28:19-20a, "Go and make disciples of all nations...and teaching them to obey..." Together we can reach the nations one heart at a time!
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600 million shortwave radios exist worldwide. One factory in China
produces 30,000 shortwave radios per day.